Post by kenny on Sept 7, 2007 14:02:45 GMT -5
When my horse was shot from underneath me. I was Throw. I did a flip and landed on my back. Then I got up. Ran back to my dead horse. When I got to the dead horse. I tried to lift it to get my rifle. But couldn't lift it. So I look to my right. I saw about 80 to 100 yards from me that was probably F troop and what left of I. Troop L was fighting the Indians on another ridge. But I couldn't make them out from where I was at. L troop was the first ones to go into battle with the Indians. Lt. Calhoun told Gen Custer. When we saw the Indians approaching us from behind us. By saying I hold them off with L company. You get the command out of here. Then he and L troop left and headed toward the approaching Indians. A minute later or two. I started hearing heavy firing from the direction that L troop went.
At that time the command with just Troop I and F started moving forward. C and E troop was checking the river for a crossing. So they could cross and tried to capture the women and children.
Meanwhile I and F is moving slowly north. About 10 minutes later. The Indians started firing on I and F. L is still fighting the Indians. When the Indians started firing on I and F. The dismount order was giving. Everyone dismounted except the officers. This one trooper that had black hair said to me. Lieutenant you going to get hit mounted. I think you better dismount your horse. I said no I can fight better mounted. Then Gen. Custer said to the trooper. Don't you tell a officer what to do. The trooper said sorry sir.That trooper might had been a Sgt. But I didn't look to see what rank he had. Custer order me the take I troop second platoon and find a opening in the Indians line.
Now back to after my horse had got shot dead. After I had look to my right. I look forward. About 15 to 20 yards from me were 7 I company troopers. I said to them to come over and help me lift my horse when I can get my rifle from out from under it. They said no. I repeated they still won't come. Then I hear someone to my left said. You heard him. Get your f and f a over here. I look to my left. There mounted on their horses was Capt. Custer And Lt. Smith. with C troop. They dismounted walk up to me and said. Where is Gen. Custer? I said I don't know. But he might be over there, pointing to the group of troops that was 80 or100 yards away. Then Captain Custer tell Lt. Harrington to stand there with C troop and support me. I only had 6 trooper from I troops with me. Then Lt. Harrington said yes sir and said C troop dismount. Then Capt. Custer and Lt. Smith went over where Gen. Custer might be.
About five or ten minutes later. After the trooper name Fred shot kill himself. Gen. Custer send a order for C troops to move toward the Indians lines, which we do. We move forward about 600 to 900 yards I give the order to dismount. Everyone dismount except me and Lt. Harrington. Soon after we get to that position. They started giving it to us. Some jumping up and shooting at us. Others were charging and running back and others were charge charging and running back. But not at the same time as first groups. While the first group of Indians running back. The second will be charging.
They did that for about 20 minutes. Then I said troops quick withdraw by squad. But before I could say By squad All the troops ran and pass me and the Indians right behind them. Then I Yell Troops regroup and form two lines. I hear Lt. Harrington repeat the orders that I have yell.
Then I drew my knife and charge the Indians. They stop and look at each other. Then I head toward the troops and the Indians went back to charging. I turn and charge them again and they stop. Lt. Harrington is helping me hold the Indians back. While Troops can regroup. When I was looking toward the troops. I see that they are in two lines and a curly blond headed Sgt yelling at them.
So I head over to them. When I got back with the troops I said second Line turn and face rear. First line you will walk backwards. Then they started moving. While moving the first line will fire at the charging Indians and hit something and the second line will turn and fire. While the horse holder will lead the horses. We are between the horses and Indians.
Then we stop about 40 to 50 yards from the troops that is with Gen. Custer. Then get off the horse I'm am riding. I walk back and forth behind the troops. This one trooper say to I get hit them. I said that ok just take your time. I come trooper that say they shooting to fast. I can;t shoot fast enough. I said don't worry do your best . I come to other trooper. Who say I have a bullet stuck in my carbine. I ask for his knife and I get the bullet cartages out for him. Then I say don't shoot to fast. Then I come to this trooper that wanted to shoot Gen. Custer. For getting the command trap. So he aim in the direction on Custer and before he could fire I knock his carbine upward. Then the Sgt comes and shoot the trooper in the head.Then Indians with blankets started running by and waving them at the horses. I yell at the horse holders to hold the horses. But 20 horses break loss and run off. Then I said to the horse holders. If any of you can't hold the horses that you are holding just shoot them. Then the Sgt. say Shoot the our own horses. How can we get out of here. If we get a withdraw order. Then he look at Lt. Harrington who is looking in the direction of Gen. Custer and turn. I'm looking toward Custer and he is making sign languages. Then Lt. Harrington said. You heard the order. Have the horses shot.
Then Mitch Boyer comes over and said to me. That the Custer order me take command of C troop and the 6 I troopers with with us. I said Lt. Harrington is in command of C troop. Then Mitch said you are the senior lieutenant so you have command. I said isn't Captain Custer staying with with us? He nope. He leaving with the command. Then he dismount from his horse. I said aren't you going with them?. He said I'm staying here. I'm not with them. Then I said to the trooper the take the horse that were shot and built a barricade with them. When the barricade was finish. It was circle about 30 to 40 feet across and horses on top of horse.
The I look over toward where the troops that was with Custer. I see this Indian ride threw our two group. Then he come riding threw again. Then Custer and those with him started moving. They move about ten yards and stop. Then they fire at Indians on the other side of the ridge. Then they move back. Then the Indians charge them from three direction. The fighting around Custer area lasted for about four to six minutes. Then the Indians move away from that area. I'm looking that direction. Then Sgt. said look like you are in command now. I Said there have to be other companies around. Then I order the trumpeter to blow his trumpet. Which he does.
Then the troopers started yelling. Theres Captain Keogh and I troops. Keogh is mounted. He is holding his rifle in his right hand and I troop is on foot around Keogh. They are moving toward where Custer body was at. That's what it look like he was doing. They move stop fire move. While Keogh and the moving. The troopers that was with me. Were shouting come on Keogh you can make it and waving their hats. Then Keogh and I troop disappear in a gully and Indians pour into the gully. I look in that direction for few a while. Then troopers yell. There E troop. Lt. Sturgis is mounted. He is 15 to 20 feet ahead of E troop. Then the Indians Jump up and charge toward E troop. Lt. Sturgis Go in a full gallop and make to us. But E troop doesn't. They are block by the Indians. But E troops is trying to get to us. Because they are fighting the Indians real hard. But the Indians are pushing them away. Then Mitch Boyer said I go help them get over here. Then he left. Then the Indians now Indians had us only to deal with. I said to the all the trooper to fire only when the Indians charge. Then the Indians started to shoot arrows at us. We take cover by getting real close to our dead horses. A arrow almost got me in my right leg. Then the Indians yell and I said now. All of us stand and fire. The stop about 10 to 15 from us with a confuse look on their faces. Then they turn and went back to cover. Then they shoot some more arrows at us. We held our fire. They charge again. We stand up and fire and they go for cover again. Then they go back shooting at us. I look at a hill in the distance. I see people on it. They are mounted and I could see a flag flying. They one of the trooper say that Benteen he coming. Then another trooper said yeah, but he kind of late isn't he. Then Lt. Harrington said to me. We need water. I said have them drink the blood from the dead horses. The Sgt. said you can't make them drink blood. They I tell the troopers to get their saddle bag that have our remaining bullets and water canteens. To have the lead off. So when we get to the river we can have the canteens drop in the water to fill up. Then after the canteens are fill. We are coming back here. Then we going to fight our way to Benteen. That if we make it to the river and back. Then we all got up and started moving toward the river. Lt. Harrington. Lt. Sturgis , The Sgt. Dr. Lord and myself are mounted. As soon as we leave our barricade. The Indians were on us.
At that time the command with just Troop I and F started moving forward. C and E troop was checking the river for a crossing. So they could cross and tried to capture the women and children.
Meanwhile I and F is moving slowly north. About 10 minutes later. The Indians started firing on I and F. L is still fighting the Indians. When the Indians started firing on I and F. The dismount order was giving. Everyone dismounted except the officers. This one trooper that had black hair said to me. Lieutenant you going to get hit mounted. I think you better dismount your horse. I said no I can fight better mounted. Then Gen. Custer said to the trooper. Don't you tell a officer what to do. The trooper said sorry sir.That trooper might had been a Sgt. But I didn't look to see what rank he had. Custer order me the take I troop second platoon and find a opening in the Indians line.
Now back to after my horse had got shot dead. After I had look to my right. I look forward. About 15 to 20 yards from me were 7 I company troopers. I said to them to come over and help me lift my horse when I can get my rifle from out from under it. They said no. I repeated they still won't come. Then I hear someone to my left said. You heard him. Get your f and f a over here. I look to my left. There mounted on their horses was Capt. Custer And Lt. Smith. with C troop. They dismounted walk up to me and said. Where is Gen. Custer? I said I don't know. But he might be over there, pointing to the group of troops that was 80 or100 yards away. Then Captain Custer tell Lt. Harrington to stand there with C troop and support me. I only had 6 trooper from I troops with me. Then Lt. Harrington said yes sir and said C troop dismount. Then Capt. Custer and Lt. Smith went over where Gen. Custer might be.
About five or ten minutes later. After the trooper name Fred shot kill himself. Gen. Custer send a order for C troops to move toward the Indians lines, which we do. We move forward about 600 to 900 yards I give the order to dismount. Everyone dismount except me and Lt. Harrington. Soon after we get to that position. They started giving it to us. Some jumping up and shooting at us. Others were charging and running back and others were charge charging and running back. But not at the same time as first groups. While the first group of Indians running back. The second will be charging.
They did that for about 20 minutes. Then I said troops quick withdraw by squad. But before I could say By squad All the troops ran and pass me and the Indians right behind them. Then I Yell Troops regroup and form two lines. I hear Lt. Harrington repeat the orders that I have yell.
Then I drew my knife and charge the Indians. They stop and look at each other. Then I head toward the troops and the Indians went back to charging. I turn and charge them again and they stop. Lt. Harrington is helping me hold the Indians back. While Troops can regroup. When I was looking toward the troops. I see that they are in two lines and a curly blond headed Sgt yelling at them.
So I head over to them. When I got back with the troops I said second Line turn and face rear. First line you will walk backwards. Then they started moving. While moving the first line will fire at the charging Indians and hit something and the second line will turn and fire. While the horse holder will lead the horses. We are between the horses and Indians.
Then we stop about 40 to 50 yards from the troops that is with Gen. Custer. Then get off the horse I'm am riding. I walk back and forth behind the troops. This one trooper say to I get hit them. I said that ok just take your time. I come trooper that say they shooting to fast. I can;t shoot fast enough. I said don't worry do your best . I come to other trooper. Who say I have a bullet stuck in my carbine. I ask for his knife and I get the bullet cartages out for him. Then I say don't shoot to fast. Then I come to this trooper that wanted to shoot Gen. Custer. For getting the command trap. So he aim in the direction on Custer and before he could fire I knock his carbine upward. Then the Sgt comes and shoot the trooper in the head.Then Indians with blankets started running by and waving them at the horses. I yell at the horse holders to hold the horses. But 20 horses break loss and run off. Then I said to the horse holders. If any of you can't hold the horses that you are holding just shoot them. Then the Sgt. say Shoot the our own horses. How can we get out of here. If we get a withdraw order. Then he look at Lt. Harrington who is looking in the direction of Gen. Custer and turn. I'm looking toward Custer and he is making sign languages. Then Lt. Harrington said. You heard the order. Have the horses shot.
Then Mitch Boyer comes over and said to me. That the Custer order me take command of C troop and the 6 I troopers with with us. I said Lt. Harrington is in command of C troop. Then Mitch said you are the senior lieutenant so you have command. I said isn't Captain Custer staying with with us? He nope. He leaving with the command. Then he dismount from his horse. I said aren't you going with them?. He said I'm staying here. I'm not with them. Then I said to the trooper the take the horse that were shot and built a barricade with them. When the barricade was finish. It was circle about 30 to 40 feet across and horses on top of horse.
The I look over toward where the troops that was with Custer. I see this Indian ride threw our two group. Then he come riding threw again. Then Custer and those with him started moving. They move about ten yards and stop. Then they fire at Indians on the other side of the ridge. Then they move back. Then the Indians charge them from three direction. The fighting around Custer area lasted for about four to six minutes. Then the Indians move away from that area. I'm looking that direction. Then Sgt. said look like you are in command now. I Said there have to be other companies around. Then I order the trumpeter to blow his trumpet. Which he does.
Then the troopers started yelling. Theres Captain Keogh and I troops. Keogh is mounted. He is holding his rifle in his right hand and I troop is on foot around Keogh. They are moving toward where Custer body was at. That's what it look like he was doing. They move stop fire move. While Keogh and the moving. The troopers that was with me. Were shouting come on Keogh you can make it and waving their hats. Then Keogh and I troop disappear in a gully and Indians pour into the gully. I look in that direction for few a while. Then troopers yell. There E troop. Lt. Sturgis is mounted. He is 15 to 20 feet ahead of E troop. Then the Indians Jump up and charge toward E troop. Lt. Sturgis Go in a full gallop and make to us. But E troop doesn't. They are block by the Indians. But E troops is trying to get to us. Because they are fighting the Indians real hard. But the Indians are pushing them away. Then Mitch Boyer said I go help them get over here. Then he left. Then the Indians now Indians had us only to deal with. I said to the all the trooper to fire only when the Indians charge. Then the Indians started to shoot arrows at us. We take cover by getting real close to our dead horses. A arrow almost got me in my right leg. Then the Indians yell and I said now. All of us stand and fire. The stop about 10 to 15 from us with a confuse look on their faces. Then they turn and went back to cover. Then they shoot some more arrows at us. We held our fire. They charge again. We stand up and fire and they go for cover again. Then they go back shooting at us. I look at a hill in the distance. I see people on it. They are mounted and I could see a flag flying. They one of the trooper say that Benteen he coming. Then another trooper said yeah, but he kind of late isn't he. Then Lt. Harrington said to me. We need water. I said have them drink the blood from the dead horses. The Sgt. said you can't make them drink blood. They I tell the troopers to get their saddle bag that have our remaining bullets and water canteens. To have the lead off. So when we get to the river we can have the canteens drop in the water to fill up. Then after the canteens are fill. We are coming back here. Then we going to fight our way to Benteen. That if we make it to the river and back. Then we all got up and started moving toward the river. Lt. Harrington. Lt. Sturgis , The Sgt. Dr. Lord and myself are mounted. As soon as we leave our barricade. The Indians were on us.
