herosrest,
Although I am a supporter of Capt Benteen my purpose is not to debate him with you, but rather as a friendly gesture for you to use caution when you use a soldiers letter to his wife as proof of anything.
As I have said before, soldiers don't always tell the truth to their wives or families. Only what they want them to know. For instance, a soldier that has been through a horrific fight might write home that it was just another boring day. Another may write that he was in vicious hand to hand combat, when he was fifty miles away from anything and never heard a shot fired in anger.
Just a thought for your consideration
Be Well
Dan
Thankyou. Soldiers do not allways tell the truth. Humanity intervenes.
When Fred Whittaker published his accusations against Benteen, all reason and caution, though not tact, flew far away. Whittaker went for the throat and showed no mercy. Believe it or not, I have sneaking admiration for Benteen. He was an officers officer.
After Whittaker published, the history became entwined in the careers of Reno & Benteen. Rubbish was served up on all sides by the shovel full.
Regards.
Reno doesn't change direction until he crosses the LBH.
Yes he did, he dog-legged left for one mile!Benteeneast
bc information I referred to previously is in 'Early History of North Dakota by Col. Clement A. Lounsberry. (Founder Bismarck Tribune 1873). He was an interesting guy, an equal of Custer's during the civil war and no doubt there was a mutual respect between them. I'd imagine the book is difficult to come by, it is a fascinating work. Mark Kellogg replaced Lounsberry on the expedition at the last minute. The relevant page is linked to the book cover shown below, as is Columns of Four's article that indicated the data.
Who and when Lounsberry's data originate to is an interesting problem, possibly as complicated and divisive as those arguments about how many times Custer attended the Crow's Nest.
You never offered an opinion on Girard's Gambit, that he rode off to meet Cooke?
I reckon that he simply shot his mouth off with a tall tale, not a Medicine tail though, and did it to Reno several days after the fight. Reno told Girard to note it down and that was that. Myth into history.
On with the battle.7th Cavalry advanced, history beckoned. In hindsight, turning tail up the South Fork off Reno Creek to the prepared defensive positions left there (still to be seen today) by the Yellowstone Wagon Road & Prospecting Expedition of 1874, was the smart move. That option though, wasn't on G.A. Custer's menu. On they pressed, either side of the Creek, Reno ordered into the valley and the Arikara scouts accompanying him.
As indicated on E.S. Curtis's map, the column's route diverged at one mile or so from the river, Major Reno moving the left wing south west down the creek to ford the river, Custer halting the right wing 10 minutes to water the horses before pressing on, after riding onto the bluffs with Trumpeter Martin to survey (reconnoitre) the village through field glasses. Reno's command had not at that time crossed the river.
Captain Benteen with the left wing's second battalion was out further to the south west looking for the valley with orders to pitch in to anything he found. In moving obliquely left behind the Major's battalion, Benteen guarded that battalions rear and was in a position to move against hostiles running up the Little Big Horn valley to wards Lodge Grass and detect any attacking force lying in ambush there. It was tough terrain. The 1874 expedition, of which George Herendeen had been a member, hauled its 22 wagons, stock and artillery down the length of the south fork and between 800 and 1,000 Lakota and Cheyenne had ridden up and then back down it to fight General Crook on the Rosebud, but it was tough terrain, in enemy territory and whose forces heavily outnumbered, as scouts had pointed out all morning long.
Benteen faced a series of dilemmas that morning into afternoon. Practical battlefield dilemma's under a commander whom he may have felt was pushing beyond sensibility. Benteen was a thoroughly competent veteran senior officer with considerable battlefield experience and unshakable belief in his own judgement. He knew that morning, the regiment was biting off more than it could chew, having previously gone through the close run thing that was Washita. Benteen was not though, in command.
There in lies a nub, until G.A. Custer's respite from President Grant's ire and return to the Regiment, Major Reno was in charge and Captain Benteen led the Left wing. The battalion assignments that morning must have irked the Captain some, left wing of the 7th Cavalry's left wing was a very dangerous place to be. Lt. Varnum, leading
the scouts and reconnaissance, in a letter home dated July 4th, 1876 from the Camp on the Yellowstone at Fort Pease, mentions Benteen's trip.
F.F. Gerard in a letter criticising Major Reno to the Bismarck Tribune of Feb. 22, 1879, related to a spat between those two, alludes to the surprise accompanying Custers return to the regiment. The nature of that return will have surprised many, Benteen's regard for his Lt. Col. is no secret and l imagine he was disappointed, Reno was ambitious for command of his own regiment. All scouting that morning indicated significant hostile presence ahead.
There is no doubt that a burial lodge was burnt during Custer's advance towards Little Big Horn valley, below the big bend. The river continued downstream some further ten or twelve miles to a confluence with the Big Horn and upriver, the 'valley' wound its way through forty miles to its head. Whether scouts commited the act or Custer used the smoke in hope of sending a message to Terry is a point of interest. That tepee was located below the White Buttes in Reno or Sundance Creek, also named Benteen Creek: at a distance of some three to four miles from Ford A and perhaps six or seven miles from the village on Greasy Grass.
Who said....... 'about half past five we started again and after going 6 or 7 miles we halted and officers' call was sounded.' ?
Who also said...... 'We then moved four or five miles and halted between the slopes of two hills and the Regt. was divided into Battalions' ?
Who entirely ignores such evidence of events at Little Big Horn? Go on, hands up.
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July 4th 1876, Montana,
Camp 7th Cavalry, Yellowstone River, Opposite mouth of Bighorn River.
My Darling,
I will commence this letter by sending a copy of the last lines Cooke ever wrote, which was an order to me to this effect.
Benteen. Come on. Big village. Be quick, bring packs.
W. W. Cooke.
(P. S. Bring pac-s)
He left out the k in last packs. I have the original, but it is badly torn and it should he preserved. So keep this letter, as the matter may be of interest hereafter, likewise of use. This note was brought back to me by Trumpeter Martin of my Co. When I received it I was five or six miles from the village, perhaps more, and the packs at least that distance in my rear. I did not go back for the packs but kept on a stiff trot for the village. When getting at top of hill so that the valley could be seen -- I saw an immense number of Indians on the plain, mounted of course and charging down on some dismounted men of Reno's command; the balance of R's command were mounted, and flying for dear life to the bluffs on the same side of river that I was. I then marched my 3 Co's. to them and a more delighted lot of folks you never saw.
To commence -- On the 22d of June -- Custer, with the 7th Cavalry left the Steamer "Far West," Genl. Terry and Genl. Gibbon's command (which latter was then in on the side of river and in same camp in which we now are) and moved up the Rosebud, marching 12 miles-the next day we marched 35 miles up the same stream. The next day we marched 35 more miles up same stream and went into bivouac, remaining until 12 o'clock P. M. We then marched until about daylight, making about 10 miles; about half past five we started again and after going 6 or 7 miles we halted and officers' call was sounded.
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The Arikra Narrative parenthetics (subset A10.1)
Including 73, referencing Custer's ride to meet Hairy Moccasin, mentioned by Peter Thompson and assumed to somehow, refer to the Crow's Nest, which was then to the rear of the column. According to Benteen, circa early July 1876 - that advance went this way - 'We then marched until about daylight, making about 10 miles; about half past five we started again and after going 6 or 7 miles we halted and officers' call was sounded.'
4 Captain William Ludlow, chief engineer of the Department of Dakota, and his assistants of the Engineer Battalion made daily instrumental observations, in taking the general topography and locating important elevations with the transit, preparatory to making maps of the country. ¡ª Ludlow, Beport of a Reconnaissance of th^ Hills of Dakota, Wash., 1875, pp. 7, 13, 16.
28 General Terry went on June 8th to the mouth of the Powder River to communicate with the supply steamer Far West. He went on the steamer up the Yellowstone to meet General Gibbon. On his return he ordered all the troops and supplies to be transferred to a depot to be established at the mouth of the Powder Eiver. ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, 461.
37 At the Powder River when Custer was inspecting the horses and forbidding those with disabled horses from going on with him, Howling Wolf hid his horse, thinking to evade the inspection. Custer asked Howling Wolf by signs where his horse was. Howling Wolf replied: "I put him on the island in the river, so he will be strong for the journey. He is as smooth and without galls as he was when he was a colt." Custer said impatiently: "Bring him here very quick or I will shoot him." Howling Wolf brought the horse and Custer said (here the narrator made a face which would resemble Custer's in such a case) : "See that gall on his back, as large as my hand ? What do you mean by your story?" Howling Wolf said to Custer: "You see the gall is behind the saddle. It is natural to him and was there when he was born. See, he is sound under the saddle. He can out-travel any horse but yours and should he fall I will keep up with you on foot. ' ' Custer laughed and said: "Since you are a wolf you may go." Howling Wolf had been riding for several days with the saddle far back so as to have his horse in good trim when they should meet the Dakotas.
38 Reno told High Bear that he could not go with the rest because his horse was badly galled. High Bear said to him: "You see the sun there, if you say it does not move I will not dispute you." This is the polite way the Indians have of telling any one that his opinion is totally wrong. Reno (not understanding the figure of speech) said to Gerard: "Tell him any man who is not a fool would agree with me, and that he will show himself a soldier by agreeing with me without question." High Bear grew very angry at this and said to Reno: "If only one of us is to go on we will decide by a fight which one is to go. The one killed in the fight will not go." Reno thereupon threatened to shoot High Bear and High Bear started for him with his knife. Bloody Knife sprang between them and said: "General Custer is my brother and I forbid this fight."
45 Gibbon took with him the Gatling guns which had accompanied the Seventh Cavalry to the Rosebud. They were taken across on the steamer Far West. ¡ª Ih., I, p, 461, 473,
46 Custer wrote : ' * The seouting-party has returned. They saw the trail and deserted camp of a village of three hundred and eighty (380) lodges. The trail was about one week old. The scouts reported that they could have overtaken the village in one day and a half. I am now going to take up the trail where the scouting-party turned back. . . , I will move directly up the Rosebud." ¡ª Mrs. Eliabeth Custer, Boots and Saddles, p. 312.
48 In a letter dated June 21st, Custer writes: "I now have some Crow scouts with me, as they are familiar with the country. They are magnificent looking men, so much handsomer and more Indian-like than any we have seen and so jolly and sportive; nothing of the gloomy, silent red-man about them. They have formally given themselves to me, after the usual talk. In their speech they said they had heard that I never abandoned a trail; that when my food gave out I ate mule. That was the kind of a man they wanted to fight under; they were willing to eat mule too." ¡ª Mrs. Elizabeth Custer, Boots and Saddles, p. 312.
51 The General (Custer) told his officers at a conference on June 22d, that he intended to follow the trail until he could get the Indians even if it took him and the command to the Indian agencies on the Missouri River or in Nebraska. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer 's Last Battle, p. 365.
59 This part of Custer 's plan was very important, since, as Sheridan says in one of his reports, "A Sioux on foot is a Sioux warrior no longer." This well known fact makes apparent how valuable was the work of the Indian scouts in the battle, in driving off the horses of the Dakota. General Crook in speaking of them says: "The Sioux ia a cavalry soldier from the time he has intelligence enough to ride a horse or fire a gun. ' ' ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, pp. 447, 500.
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61 The command went into camp at sundown and the orders were to he in readiness again at 11:30 p.m. This was on the evening of the 24th, ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 366.
63 The command halted a little after 2 a.m., June 25th. Some of the men unsaddled their horses to rest them; and some coffee was made after daylight. They rested three hours. ¡ª Ih., p. 367. Also Report of
Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 466.
65 Varnum and his scouts had discovered the pony herd of the Dakotas grazing in the valley of the Little Big Horn. The capture of the horses would leave them unable to move rapidly and they could not scatter and escape without them. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 376.
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66 On the forenoon of the 25th of June, the ' medicine man ' of the Arikara scouts anointed them and invoked the Great Spirit to protect them from the Sioux, Captain Godfrey says that ''they seemed to have become satisfied that we were going to find more Sioux than we could well take care of.'' lb., p. 368
73 Custer went up on the divide to see for himself whether the report of the scouts was true, while the command remained concealed in a ravine where it halted at 10:30 a.m., June 25th. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last
Battle, pp. 368, 367.
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74 This point whether the Dakotas knew of Custer's movements and realized he was about to attack them, is a disputed one. Captain Godfrey, in his valuable account which is given the place in military history, mentions many incidents which prove that the Indians knew of the movements of the column and of an impending attack; but General Sheridan, in his report of November 25, 1876, says that he believes that "the Indians were not aware of the proximity of Custer until he arrived within about eight or nine miles of their village, and that then their scouts who carried the intelligence back to the valley were so closely followed up by Custer that he arrived on the summit of the divide over- looking the upper portion of the village almost as soon as the scouts reached it." ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 444.
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Note - Both Sheridan and Godfrey were correct.
The interesting aspect of Sheridan's comment is reference to - 'the summit of the divide over-looking the upper portion of the village'. Confusions exist in the various definitions of accounts referring to divides. The confusions are crucial. They cruxial confusions which have been analysed in Quaternian Pillar.
A column of four.
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79 Major Reno in his report of July 5, 1876, says: "We approached a deserted village in which was standing one tepee." ¡ª Beport of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 477.
80 The scouts seem to have fired this tepee for when Benteen 's battalion passed it the place was burning. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 369.
81 In his report Benteen says : "I came to a burning lodge with the dead body of an Indian in it on a scaffold." ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 480.
112 General Terry in a telegram to General Sheridan dated July 2d, reports that he commenced moving the wounded on the evening of June 28th and at 2 a.m. of the 30th they were placed on the steamer at the mouth of the Little Big Horn. The afternoon of the 30th they reached the depot on the Yellowstone and from there were sent by steamer to Fort Lincoln with one of Terry's aids, Captain E. W. Smith, ¡ª 7b,, I, p. 464,
113 This was the supply depot or camp on the Yellowstone. ¡ª Ih.
115 During the narrative by Young Hawk, Soldier went out of the house and sang a wailing song outside to relieve his feelings; no one inside paid the slightest attention although we could hardly hear what the interpreter was saying.
116 Reno, who had orders from Custer to move forward at as rapid a gait as was prudent, took a fast trot for about two miles to the ford of the river. ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 477.
117 When Custer was advancing to the attack, "the chiefs gave orders for the village to move, to break up; at the time of Eeno's retreat, this order was being carried out, but as soon as Eeno's retreat was assured the order was countermanded, and the squaws were compelled to return with the pony herds." ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, pp. 383-384.
119 This was the body of Chief Circling Bear's brother, a man of some prominence." ¡ª McLaughlin, My Friend the Indian, p. 130.
120 The command moved down the creek toward the Little Big Horn valley, Custer with five companies on the right bank, Eeno with three companies on the left bank, and Benteen farther to the left, and out of sight." ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 477.
121 Reno stopped here and watered the horses, delaying about ten or fifteen minutes, and reformed on the left bank of the stream. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 370.
124 Reno had lost his hat and had a handkerchief tied about his head, and appeared to be very much excited." ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 372.
125 Reno was with the foremost in this retreat or 'charge' as he termed it in his report." ¡ª 76., 371.
126 In the funnel shaped ravine leading into the bluffs "the command got jammed and lost all semblance of organization. ' ' ¡ª lb.
127 Nearly all the casualties occurred during the retreat and after leaving the timber. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 372.
127a Bed Bear is in error here. There were but three Crow scouts. (Libby was in error here - There were four Crow scouts)
128 In Captain Godfrey 's account, he mentions Crow scouts coming by driving a small herd of ponies. ¡ª Godfrey, Cutter's Last Battle, p. 372.
130 Lt. Col. Custer of the 7th Cavalry was at first assigned to the command of this force; but under subsequent instructions I assumed the command in person, Lt. Col. Custer being assigned to the com- mand of his regiment. ' ' ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 459, (Terry's report).
149 At the same conference the Indian scouts told Custer that he would find enough Dakotas to keep him fighting two or three days. The General smiled and remarked, "I guess we will get through with them in one day." ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 367.
150 Little Sioux places the time too late. Captain Godfrey says it was 2:30 p.m. when Eeno was joined by Godfrey and then Custer's battalion was being surrounded and wiped out. ¡ª Godfrey, Custer's Last Battle, p. 374,
161 Terry 's scouts were sent out at 4 a.m. June 26th. "They soon discovered three Indians, who were at first supposed to be Sioux; but, when overtaken, they proved to be Crows, who had been with General Custer. They brought the first intelligence of the battle. Their story was not credited." ¡ª Report of Secretary of War, 1876, I, p. 463.
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Benteen - 'I was ordered with my Battalion to go over the immense hills to the left, in search of the valley, which was supposed to be very near by and to pitch into anything I came across-and to inform Custer at once if I found anything worthy of same.'
7th Cavalry advanced, history beckoned. In hindsight, turning tail up the South Fork off Reno Creek to the prepared defensive positions left there (still to be seen today) by the Yellowstone Wagon Road & Prospecting Expedition of 1874, was the smart move. That option though, wasn't on G.A. Custer's menu.
Herendeen had accompanied 'the boys' who made the perilous 1874 expedition and fought battles with the Sioux on Rosebud, Reno Creek and at Lodge Grass. As Herendeen informed Custer on 21st June, he knew that terrain like the back of his hand.
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Herendeen
That spring Gibbon had come from Fort Shaw and had organized at Fort Ellis. He had four troops of Seventh Infantry. He wanted me to go with him as scout, but as the Government had not made arrangements for pay, other than a teamster at $16 per month, I would not go. Paul McCormick and I built a boat and went down the river and found Gibbon at Fort Pease. Paul got a chcince to take a message back to Bozeman and then he brought back some goods and started a canteen. There were several boats at Pease that Gibbon was going to take, but I told him that I was one of the men to help build the fort and as I was the only one there the boats belonged to me and he could not have them. I told him I would take Captain Clifford and the boys down, as we could scout and cover more ground that way than on the land. (I did not work for Gibbon.) We traveled down the Yellowstone pretty near the mouth of Powder river. One morning we took a boat to go down the river. Major Brisban, a soldier or two and a couple of Indians, were in the boat. He did not say what his object was but we soon found out that it was to see if there was a steamboat down the river, as it was about time that the forces were getting together. We run through the Wolf rapids and found a steamboat just landing. We went on the boat and found General Terry and staff. We learned that Custer was coming across from Fort Lincoln and was expected any day. Terry, the day before, had sent scouts out but they had been driven back and he was worried as to how he could get word to Gibbon.
He told me he would give me $300 if I would take a dis- patch to Gibbon that night. I started out and got to the camp about three in the morning. Gibbon did not move. Terry steamed up to where Gibbon was, the next day. We then went to the mouth of the Rose Bud. Custer's command came up on the opposite side and camped. That afternoon they had a council of war on the steamer 'Far West' about the campaign. Custer, Gibbon, Brisban and Terry were there. Custer sent for me to come across the river and see him. When I reached them they had a map lying on the table and as I stepped up Custer put his finger on the map and said: 'Do you know that place?' I told him I did and he replied : 'You are the man I want.' That evening we started for what was to be Custer's Battle Field. I knew all that section of the country like a book and was not long in leading him to the place concerning vwhich he had asked me.
When we arrived at the point where the battle took place Custer turned to Reno and said : 'Lead out and take the scouts. Those were the last words we ever heard him say. - 'George Herendeen ¡ª 'One of the Last of the Great Scouts'
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Reno Creek - South Fork
Far up the South Fork of Reno Creek, in the shadow of the Wolf Mountains are remains of a fortified campsite occupied by the Yellowstone Wagon Road & Prospecting Expedition or the Bozeman Party. Here on April 11-12, 1874, George Herendeen fought Gall and the Hunkpapa Lacota tribe.
Along the crest of a high, round hill are thirty-nine deep rifle-pits, some having breastworks thrown up in front. Every approach to the hill was covered, each rifle pit was sited so as to give an excellent field of fire. East and west of the hill, streams feed Reno Creek. A draw divides the hills eastern slope, running down to one of the little streams. From the crest of the hill a heavy line of rifle-pits, with room for to five or six riflemen, covers the route to the water.
Another of the expedition's fortified campsites lies in the Rosebud valley, on the right bank of the stream itself, thirty-two miles south by road from the junction with Yellowstone River and was discovered by Lt. Col. Custer during 7th Cavalry's advance to the Little Big Horn. I'm Sure George Herendeen was able to clue Custer up on events during the 1874 adventure.
In January, 1874, citizens of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley, raised and equipped an expedition to pick out a route suitable for freighting, until it had reached the head of navigation and establish an outpost near the mouth of the Tongue, giving impetus to development of lower Yellowstone. A hue and cry about gold strikes along the intended wagonroad ensured a large force of men assembled. 150 men, hard bitten, old-timers, tough frontiersmen of experience, set out on On February 13, 1874, marching down the Yellowstone.
Among the party were William H. Hamilton (MY SIXTY YEARS ON THE PLAINS) and George Herendeen, a scout for Generals Gibbon and Custer in 1876. There were over 200 horses and mules, 28 broke of oxen, 22 wagons loaded with 4 months provisions and two artillery pieces with 150 rounds of shell and canister. All of the men had breech-loading rifles, with over 40,000 rounds of ammunition.
March 21st, the expedition crossed the Yellowstone near the mouth of Big Porcupine Creek and established a fortified camp on the south bank, a practise begun from the mouth of the Bighorn River. A party prospected the Big and Little Porcupine and O'Fallon's Creek, returning nothing to show. Leaving the Yellowstone the expedition moved south to Goose Creek.
Sioux scouts had watched the expedition and planned to intercept the whites at the mouth of the Rosebud. On March 26th, mounting bluffs that border Yellowstone Valley on the south, the expedition bumped into thirty sioux scouts who fled but the expedition was kept under surveillance. Brushes with small groups of Sioux occurred as the column continued south over very rough country. A picket named Bostwick was ambushed and badly wounded, warriors beating him with pony whips.
On April 3d in Rosebud valley, 32 miles south of the Yellowstone, a mile below the mouth of Greenleaf Creek they found a fresh large Indian trail of several hundred lodges going upstream. The expedition crossed the Rosebud and went into camp, the wagons circled forming a corral and rifle-pits were dug encircling the camp and for men on outpost duty. That night the camp was surrounded by Indians in numbers who did not conceal their movements. Before dawn the Indians opened a heavy fire from points all around the camp, assault parties were formed to drive out warriors from nearby ravines and the artillery shelled the timber.
The riflemen in the pits and the artillery would concentrate their fire on the objective. Then on signal the covering fire would cease and the picked group would dash for its goal. In this fight the assaults were successful, as indeed they were in the Bozeman Party's other two major fights. Indians took to their heels. Some warriors in a ravine very near the entrenchments were taken by surprise, so that the white men got right amongst them, managing to overtake and kill seven. This sending out charging parties was standard procedure with the expedition in all its fights. A large group of older men, women, and children," observed from a butte, half mile from the scene of the fight. 25 men charged this Butte, which was immediately vacated. The Sioux drew off and moved up the Rosebud. 900 rounds and 30 canister and shell were expended, the Indians fired three times as much ammunition. Some 600 to 800 warriors took part. One man was shot through an arm, a few horses killed and some wounded. Marching on, biscuits and bits of pemmican dosed with strychnine were left behind and bullets in which dynamite had been substituted for the powder.
They reached the Forks of the Rosebud near Busby and crossed the Rosebud Little Bighorn divide and camped on the South Fork of Reno Creek on April 11th. The following morning, large numbers of Sioux attacked watering stock and horses. The artillery engaged and the warriors were driven off in a charge, one man named Yates being killed. The Sioux gained ridges west and south of the hill and commenced heavy fire on the rifle pits. Charging parties drove them off vantage points. A Brule chief tried to check his warriors and was killed. Two warriors galloped back, raised the body between them, and got it away. This marked the close of the fight.
The expedition now marched south west, crossing the Little Bighorn River and camped near Lodge Grass.
Yates' body was buried beneath one of the breastworks. The weather turned very bad, horses fell ill and rations ran low. Sioux were observed, so no prospecting or hunting was possible. The feeling grew to start back to Bozeman. On April 17th the expedition old Grass Lodge Creek proved such heavy going that only three miles were travelled. Several heavy wagons were burned and a fake grave rigged so that a shell would explode if disturbed. Strung in column, moving west up the valley of Lodge Grass Creek, it was charged from all sides by hundreds of mounted Indians, the train was corralled and small parties of drove warriors from strong points, the artillery shelled the timber along Lodge Grass Creek and the fight came to a close.
Lodge Grass Creek was the last fight the Bozeman Party had. Proceeding west to the Bozeman Trail and across the Bighorn River the expedition straggled into Bozeman throughout the first week of May. According to Lt. Bradley, some Indians afterward admitted at Ft. Peck that it was the combined force of three large camps under the leadership of the famous Sitting Bull and Cheyennes and Oglallas joined the last fight. The number of Indians who took part in this engagement was estimated by the members of the expedition to have been between 1,000 and 1,500.
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Besides signs and tracks of heavy warrior traffic along South Reno Creek to LBH valley which Benteen must have crossed, 2nd Cavallry scouting the upper valley after Terry's arrival found a further very large trail coming down the LBH valley to the camping site Reno attacked.
-- -- -- -- -- -- I'm just popping around the back of the tent for a moment. Make yourselves comfortable. -- -- -- -- -- --
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On they pressed, either side of the Creek, Reno ordered into the valley and the Arikara scouts accompanying him. As indicated on E.S. Curtis's map, the column's route diverged at one mile or so from the river, Major Reno moving the left wing south west down the creek to ford the river, Custer halting the right wing 10 minutes to water the horses before pressing on, after riding onto the bluffs with Trumpeter Martin to survey (reconnoitre) th village through field glasses. Reno's command had not at that time crossed the river.
Captain Benteen with the left wing's second battalion was out further to the south west looking for the valley with orders to pitch in to anything he found. In moving obliquely left behind the Major's battalion, Benteen guarded that battalions rear and was in a position to move against hostiles running up the Little Big Horn valley to wards Lodge Grass and detect any attacking force lying in ambush there. It was tough terrain. The 1874 expedition, of which George Herendeen had been a member, hauled its 22 wagons, stock and artillery down the length of the south fork and between 800 and 1,000 Lakota and Cheyenne had ridden up and then back down it to fight General Crook on the Rosebud, but it was tough terrain, in enemy territory and whose forces heavily outnumbered, as scouts had pointed out all morning long.
Benteen faced a series of dilemmas that morning into afternoon. Practical battlefield dilemma's under a commander whom he may have felt was pushing beyond sensibility. Benteen was a thoroughly competent veteran senior officer with considerable battlefield experience and unshakable belief in his own judgement. He knew that morning, the regiment was biting off more than it could chew, having previously gone through the close run thing that was Washita. Benteen was not though, in command.
There in lies a nub, until G.A. Custer's respite from President Grant's ire and return to the Regiment, Major Reno was in charge and Captain Benteen led the Left wing. The battalion assignments that morning must have irked the Captain some, left wing of the 7th Cavalry's left wing was a very dangerous place to be. Lt. Varnum, leading the scouts and reconnaissance, in a letter home dated July 4th, 1876 from the Camp on the Yellowstone at Fort Pease, mentions Benteen's trip.
F.F. Gerard in a letter criticising Major Reno to the Bismarck Tribune of Feb. 22, 1879, related to a spat between those two, alludes to the surprise accompanying Custers return to the regiment. The nature of that return will have surprised many, Benten's personal regard for his Lt. Col. is no secret and l imagine he was disapointed, Reno was ambitious for command of his own regiment.
All scouting information recieved that morning indicated a significant hostile presence ahead.
There was a Cheyenne burial lodge. Trumpeter Martin locates it. Also Gerard in his Reno Inquiry teastimony and Lt. Patterson Hughes includes it on his sktch map dated 30th June 1876.
Benteen mentions a Lone Tepee in his letter home of July 4th, 1876.
My Darling,
I will commence this letter by sending a copy of the last lines Cooke ever wrote, which was an order to me to this effect.
Benteen. Come on. Big village. Be quick, bring packs.
W. W. Cooke.
(P. S. Bring pac-s)
He left out the k in last packs. I have the original, but it is badly torn and it should he preserved. So keep this letter, as the matter may be of interest hereafter, likewise of use. This note was brought back to me by Trumpeter Martin of my Co. When I received it I was five or six miles from the village, perhaps more, and...............
..............What became of "C" Co. no one knows -- they must have charged there below the village, gotten away, or have been killed in the bluffs on the village side of stream as very few of "C" Co. horses are found. Jack Sturgis and Porter's clothes were found in the Village. After the indians had driven them across, it was a regular buffalo hunt for them and not a man escaped. Benteen letter.
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Peter Thompson - We found, as we proceeded, that the camping places of the Indians were but a short distance apart showing that they were travelling in a leisurely manner for the purpose of giving their ponies an opportunity to feed; or it might have been that each tribe camped by itself. But be that as it may, the ground was eaten quite bare in most places, showing that they must have had a great number of animals with them. One of their camps must have been broken up in confusion for numerous articles were left behind; such as coffee pots, tin plates, cups, axes, hatchets, and other articles that were good for further use. These articles were scattered about from one end of the camp to the other,
The sight of these things puzzled us greatly. Was it for the purpose of lightening their burdens that they might travel the quicker, or for transporting the buffalo that they had slaughtered, or was it a hasty flight? These questions we could not answer.
We had just passed through this camping ground when we discovered a single tepee standing near a large clump of cottonwood trees. The sight of this tepee caused a commotion among us. Lieutenant Cook rode rnpidly up to Major Reno, giving him orders to take three companies of the left wing, cross the Little Horn River to its left bank and proceed down that stream. He then ordered a detail of Company F which was in advance with headquarters to investigate and find out the contents of the tepee. This left Captain Benteen with three companies of the left wing and one of the right, as Captain McDugal's company was rear guard and had charge of the pack train.
General Custer then took Companies C, E, F, G, and L intending to go down the right bank of the stream, under cover if possible. We soon learned that a large band of Indians were in camp a short distance down the river. The plan marked ont was to attack the Indians in the following manner : Major Reno was to cross the river to its left bank and proceed down until he struck their village and endeavor to keep the attention of the Indians until Custer had time to pass down the right bank and cross over and attack them in the rear.
On the left side of the river the country was flat, on the right it was very rough and broken; there was a low range of hills cut up by numerous intersecting ravines.
It was Custer's intention to keep out of sight of the Indians until he had time to cross over the river, three miles below. After Reno left us we commenced to travel in parallel lines with the Little Horn River, which was thickly screened by cottonwood trees and underbrush.
We now left the valley in which we had been travelling and commenced to climb the bluffs overlooking the river and surrounding country. At this time our horses were in a trot. At our right, and on a slight elevation, sat General Custer and his brother. Tom, reviewing the companies as they passed by. This was the last review General Custer ever held. Cook, the adjutant, was giving orders wherever Custer deemed it necessary. When we reached the top of the hill, we were ordered to form into sets of fours which would make us a more solid and compact body. Each one was told to remember his number.
In the morning before mounting the companies form in single lines. Each man, commencing at the head of the company, calls out in Turn his number; one, two, three, four, and so these are repeated until the company is all numbered into sets of fours. Cavalry men dismount and fight on foot except when a charge is made, but when a dismount is ordered, number four remains on his horse; numbers one, two and three dismount and hand their bridle reins to number four who holds the horses, while they deploy as skirmishers or as otherwise directed. The men composing the four with myself were Fitzgerald, Brennan, and Watson, and although composing one of the sets of fours that entered into action with Custer, not one of us ever reached the battlefield which proved so fatal to Custer and his men. Both Brennan and Fitzgerald turned their horses toward the rear, when they had gone two miles beyond the lone tepee.
We soon gained the top of the bluffs where a view of the surrounding country was obtained. The detail of Company F which was sent to investigate the tepee, now passed by us on their way to the front with the report that it contained a dead Indian and such articles as were deemed necessary for him on his journey to the 'Happy Hunting Grounds.'
Note - Custer, with Gerard, rode after and met the Arikara scouts at the Lone Tepee located below the White Buttes. That was just below where the south and middle forks of Reno Creek meet and less than four miles east of the river. The village which had stood there previously, stretched for about a half mile downstream. Hammer, Custer in '76. p155
About a half a mile further on we came in sight of the Indian village, and it was a truly imposing sight to anyone who had not seen anything like it before. For about three miles on the left bank of the river the tepees were stretched, the white canvas gleaming in the sunlight. Beyond the village was a black mass of ponies grazing on the short green grass.
When the companies came in sight if the village, they gave the regular charging yell and urged their horses into a gallop.
At this time a detail of five men from Company F was sent ahead to reconnoitre and from this point I was gradually left behind in spite of all I could do to keep up with my company. There were others also in the same fix. All urging on my part was useless. Getting vexed I dismounted and begun to fasten on my spurs, when I heard my name called and, on looking up, I saw Brennan near me on horseback. He asked, 'What is the matter?' I told him that I was afraid my horse was entirely played out. 'Well,' said he, 'Let us keep together.' I straightened myself up and said, 'I tell you what I will do I will trade horses with you if you will.' He gave me a strange look and turned his horse aronnd and rode towards the rear, leaving me to shift for myself. 'Well,' I thought, I will get along any way.' I finished putting on my spurs, mounted my horse again, and rode on after my company, but my progress was very slow.
My spurs having been poorly fastened came off again, and seeing a pair lying on the trail, I got off my horse to secure them. Hearing an oath behind me, I looked back and saw my comrade Watson, trying to get his horse on its feet. The poor brute had fallen and was struggling to gain an upright position. Beside him, I saw Sergeant Finkle of our company sitting calmly on his horse looking on and making no effort to help Watson in his difficulty. But finally the poor animal gained his feet with a groan, and Finkle passed on with a rush to overtake our company.
By this time the last of the companies had disappeared over the crest of the hill I was still tugging away at the spurs, when W^atson came up and asked what the trouble was and then passed on in the trail of the soldiers. I mounted my horse again but found that a staggering walk was all I could get out of him.
I then began to look around; everywhere the hurry and bustle of life had disappeared; the only evidence of life was gradually disappearing.
I then looked across the river at the Indian village; it was all in commotion. One party of Indians were dashing down the river; others were hurrying towards their ponies; others were rushing toward the upper end of the village. The cause of this commotion was Major Reno with three companies of men about a mile distant from the upper end of the village, dashing along in a gallop towards them. The officers were riding in order a little in advance of their respective companies. It was a grand sight to see those men charging d0wn upon the village of their enemies, who outnumbered them many times. The well-trained horses were kept well in hand. There was no straggling; they went together, neck and neck, their tails streaming in the wind and the riders' arms gleaming in the sunlight. It was no Avonder that the Indians were in great commotion when they beheld the bold front presented by the cavalry. But alas! how deceptive are appearances.
The cavalry dashed into the village where one of the non-commissioned officers halted and struck up the company's guidon along side of a tepee before he was sliot from his horse. The halt was but for a moment, for the Indians came rushing toward them in great numbers. At this juncture the dry grass caught on fire threatening the destruction of the village, but the squaws, fearless as the braves themselves, fought the fire and tore down the tepees which were in danger of burning. Major Reno seeing that he was greatly outnumbered ordered an immediate retreat to a grove of cottonwood trees, which stood on the bank of the river about half a mile from the upper end of the village, where they found shelter for their horses and protection for themselves. Peter Thompson
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William O. Taylor - Major Reno's Battalion, following the Indian trail, marched down a valley through which ran what has since been called Benteen's, or Sundance Creek. This creek flowed into the Little Bighorn river, when there was any water in it, but at this time it was dry. On our way we passed a funeral tepee, which contained the body of a warrior. The tepee had been set on fire by some of our Indian scouts. Afterwards it was learned that the dead warrior was a brother of Circling Bear and had been killed in the battle with Crook on the Rosebud, June 17th, eight days before. It has been stated that "a few Indians were seen near here," and that they kept far enough in advance to be out of danger. As to that I can not say, personally I did not see any of them. When, within a short distance of the river, Reno received an order that caused us to increase our speed and we soon came to the Little Bighorn, a stream some fifty to seventy feet wide, and from two to four feet deep of clear, icy cold water.
Into it our horses plunged without any urging, their thirst was great and also their riders. While waiting for them to drink I took off my hat and, shaping the brim into a scoop, leaned over, filled it and drank the last drop of water I was to have for over twenty-four long hours. The horses having been watered, we rode out of the river and through the underbrush and then a few yards on the prairie, where we dismounted and tightened our saddle girths, and in about ten minutes were heading down a long but rather narrow valley. 'With Custer On The Little Bighorn: Viking, New York, 1996'
William O. Taylor - Soon after the party of twelve rejoined us and somewhere near five o'clock we had orders to "fall in", and mounting our horses we started in the direction Custer was believed to have gone. A very short ride along the side of the bluffs that shut off our view of the Indian village brought us to a ridge that afforded a partial view of what was afterwards found to be Custer's battlefield. Many Indians were seen in the distance, and others nearer by. Soon they began to come in our direction and our advance Troop under Captain Weir was attacked. 'With Custer On The Little Bighorn: Viking, New York, 1996'
Benteen - I was ordered with my Battalion to go over the immense hills to the left, in search of the valley, which was supposed to be very near by and to pitch into anything I came across-and to inform Custer at once if I found anything worthy of same.
Benteen - "I got my first sight of the Valley and river - and Reno's command in full flight for the bluffs to the side I was then on. Of course I joined them at once.
RCoI - I went on ahead of it to the crossing of the Little Big Horn river at the ford "A", that was my first sight of the Little Big Horn. There I saw an engagement going on and I supposed it was the whole regiment. There were twelve or thirteen men in skirmish line that appeared to have been beaten back. The line was then parallel with the river and the Indians were charging and re-charging through those men. I thought the whole command was thrashed and that was not a good place to cross. To my right I noticed 3 or 4 Indians, probably 4 or 500 yards from me. I thought they were hostiles and rode with my orderly towards them and saw as I approached them, that they were Crows. They said there was a big "pooh poohing" going on, which I had already seen. Then I saw the men who were up on the bluff, and I immediately went there and was met by Maj. Reno." - Benteen
Benteen - "I saw an immense number of indians on the plain... charging down on some dismounted men of Reno's command."
Benteen - "The balance of R's command were mounted and flying off for dear life to the bluffs on the same side of the river l was."
Varnum - "Only five men and Lieutenant Wallace came out with company G, and more than one third of our command was gone. Just then Col. Benteen and three companies came in from a trip they had endeavored to make to the rear of the village. July 4th 1876.
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Benteen - From that point I was ordered with my Battn. to go over the immense hills to the left, in search of the valley, which was supposed to be very near by and to pitch into anything I came across-and to inform Custer at once if I found anything worthy of same. Well, I suppose I went up and down those hills for 10 miles -- and still no valley anywhere in sight, the horses were fast giving out from steady climbing-and as my orders had been fulfilled I struck diagonally for the trail the command had marched on, getting to it just before the Pack train got there -- or on the trail just ahead of it.
I then marched rapidly and after about 6 or 7 miles came upon a burning tepee -- in which was the body of an indian on a scaffold, arrayed gorgeously. None of the command was in sight at this time. The ground from this to the valley was descending but very rough. I kept up my trot and when I reached a point very near the ford which was crossed by Reno's Battn. I got my first sight of the Valley and river -- and Reno 's command in full flight for the bluffs to the side I was then on. Of course I joined them at once. The ground where Reno charged on was a plain 5 or 6 miles or 10 miles long and about one mile or more wide; Custer sent him in there and promised to support him after Reno started in, Custer with his five Co's instead of crossing the ford went to the right around some high bluffs -- with the intention -- as is supposed -- of striking the rear of the village; from the bluff on which he got he had his first glimpse of the whole of it, and I can tell you 'twas an immense one.
From that point Cooke sent the note to me by Martin, which I have quoted on 1st page. I suppose after the five Co's had closed up somewhat Custer started down for the village, all throats bursting themselves with cheering. So says Martin. He had 3 or 4 miles to go before he got to a ford-as the Village was on the plain on opposite side to Custer's column. So, when he got over those 4 miles of rough country and reached the ford, the indians had availed themselves of the timely information given by the cheering -- as to the whereabouts and intentions of that column, and had arrangements completed to receive it. Whether the indians allowed Custer's column to cross at all, is a mooted question, but I am of the opinion.
Note (In regards tacticals, Benteen provides an interesting clue to events on Custer battlefield. 'What became of "C" Co. no one knows -- they must have charged there below the village, gotten away, or have been killed in the bluffs on the village side of stream -- as very few of "C" Co. horses are found.' There are immense problems accepting interpretations of Cheyenne language related to colors - but it seems from Benteens observations that Company C's horses were entirely run off. 'very few of "C" Co. horses are found'.)
The latest and probably correct account of the battle is that none of Custer's command got into the village at all. We may not be back before winter, think so very strongly.
Well -- Wifey, Darling, I think this will do for a letter, so with oceans of love to you and Fred and kisses innumerable, I am devotedly,
Your husband
FRED BENTEEN.
From Sgt. Charles Windolph promoted on the battlefield and the last, of 7th cavalry present during the battle, to pass away, - 'We'd gone less than a mile when we got in sight of Weir's troop. Way off to the north you could see what looked to be groups of mounted Indians. There was plenty of firing going on. Pretty soon it looked as if the Indian masses were coming towards us. It didn't take long to realize that this was true. Here we were stretched out all over the hell's half acre, a troop on this hill knob, another in this little valley and over there a third troop. Behind, at a slow walk, came the pack trains, the wounded men and the rear guard'
Windolph doesn't say they joined with Weir, only that he came in sight, which means Windolph was on or had passed Weir Point to be able to see the battle field and Weir, Edgerley and Company D. Who got into a fire fight with Minnieconjou 'Standing Bear' - "After we wiped Custer out we started back in formation downhill, ten or fifteen riders abreast. At the mouth of the Muskrat Creek there was a little divide and before we crossed this creek we could see another band of soldiers here to help Custer. They began to fire on us then and everyone said: "Hurry!" and began to charge on them. Then they began to get on their horses as I looked out again. They retreated and I noticed two spades on the hill. When we got up there we shot at the soldiers but only got one of them. Then we all got on our horses and pursued the soldiers. After we shot one of the men we all got off and couped him."