Post by johnson1941 on Feb 10, 2024 5:55:52 GMT -6
Edgerly did a loop...... Really? Yes...per Edgerly.
that command was no longer on the bluffs.
Reno was at 3411
Real statements - from real people who were actually there…
Hare
He {Reno} was going to that highest point {marked pt 5} when I went away.
….
Hare met packs north of north fork of Sundance Creek. A mile or not much more from Reno, but out of sight of Reno.
Returned right away was gone from Reno about 20 minutes.
Just as {Hare} got back he looked and saw Co. D advancing toward Custer. They were some distance out but still in sight. Thinks other 6 cos. did not advance until at least a full hour after Reno retreated up
...
When I reported to Major Reno he told me to go and tell Captain Weir, who had gone while I was gone for the pack train, to open communication with General Custer, and he would follow as soon as the pack train came up.
…
The three advanced troops, D, M, and K in the order named, reached the hills overlooking Medicine Tail Coulee and the region to the north
…
{Hare} found Edgerly out ahead but says Edgerly did not hold his advanced position more than 10 min. M, K and H cos. were strung out along bluffs behind Co. D parallel with river but no co. quite up to Co. D.
{Edgerly: We moved out and went to a point which I now mark “9.”
Godfrey:These men were at intervals along the high ridge and two high peaks...at pt 9
Wyie: Men dismounted and put horses behind Edgerly peaks and behind hill to east}
After I delivered the order to Captain Weir, I returned to the command and met it coming downstream. I suppose the command moved about a mile downstream when they got to a high hill, the highest point around there
…
The witness indicated on the map by the figure “5,” the position occupied by Major Reno and by the figure “6” that occupied by Captain Weir.
Captain Weir had to go back to the rear by a ravine before he could come to the position occupied by Major Reno.
…
Benteen and Reno were discussing matters. They were standing about 1/2 mile in rear of Co. D
and
Benteen suggested to Reno that they fall back as they were in a poor place for defense. Benteen remarked that Indians could pass around them to the east and also by river flat at the west and would soon be in their rear if did not fall back.
…
When I returned I told Major Reno what Captain Weir had said to me and I looked up and saw Captain Weir coming joining the column.
Q. Did he {Weir} come back and join Major Reno’s column on the hill marked “5”?
A. Yes, sir.
Major Reno said that position would not do to make his fight on and he selected a point further up on the bluff, and ordered Captain Weir’s and Captain French’s companies to cover the retreat back to that point. He covered the retreat within a few hundred yards of the line when Captain Godfrey’s company was dismounted. When I came back I came with Captain Godfrey’s company.
He {Reno} was going to that highest point {marked pt 5} when I went away.
….
Hare met packs north of north fork of Sundance Creek. A mile or not much more from Reno, but out of sight of Reno.
Returned right away was gone from Reno about 20 minutes.
Just as {Hare} got back he looked and saw Co. D advancing toward Custer. They were some distance out but still in sight. Thinks other 6 cos. did not advance until at least a full hour after Reno retreated up
...
When I reported to Major Reno he told me to go and tell Captain Weir, who had gone while I was gone for the pack train, to open communication with General Custer, and he would follow as soon as the pack train came up.
…
The three advanced troops, D, M, and K in the order named, reached the hills overlooking Medicine Tail Coulee and the region to the north
…
{Hare} found Edgerly out ahead but says Edgerly did not hold his advanced position more than 10 min. M, K and H cos. were strung out along bluffs behind Co. D parallel with river but no co. quite up to Co. D.
{Edgerly: We moved out and went to a point which I now mark “9.”
Godfrey:These men were at intervals along the high ridge and two high peaks...at pt 9
Wyie: Men dismounted and put horses behind Edgerly peaks and behind hill to east}
After I delivered the order to Captain Weir, I returned to the command and met it coming downstream. I suppose the command moved about a mile downstream when they got to a high hill, the highest point around there
…
The witness indicated on the map by the figure “5,” the position occupied by Major Reno and by the figure “6” that occupied by Captain Weir.
Captain Weir had to go back to the rear by a ravine before he could come to the position occupied by Major Reno.
…
Benteen and Reno were discussing matters. They were standing about 1/2 mile in rear of Co. D
and
Benteen suggested to Reno that they fall back as they were in a poor place for defense. Benteen remarked that Indians could pass around them to the east and also by river flat at the west and would soon be in their rear if did not fall back.
…
When I returned I told Major Reno what Captain Weir had said to me and I looked up and saw Captain Weir coming joining the column.
Q. Did he {Weir} come back and join Major Reno’s column on the hill marked “5”?
A. Yes, sir.
Major Reno said that position would not do to make his fight on and he selected a point further up on the bluff, and ordered Captain Weir’s and Captain French’s companies to cover the retreat back to that point. He covered the retreat within a few hundred yards of the line when Captain Godfrey’s company was dismounted. When I came back I came with Captain Godfrey’s company.
Reno
I moved to the summit of the highest bluff, but seeing and hearing nothing sent Captain Weir with his company to open communications with him.
{Hare: He was going to that highest point {marked pt 5} when I went away}
A. Before the pack train came up the command was put in position. It was on this hill which I thought would enable everybody to see it, and I kept it there as a nucleus about which these scattered parties could gather, till they all came together. That was the purpose for which I went there.
When Lieutenant Hare returned from the pack train, I told him to go to Captain Weir who, on his own hook, had moved out his company, and tell him to communicate with General Custer if he could
...
Q. Who took that order to Weir to communicate with Custer?
A. Lieutenant Hare.
Q. When was it that you sent the order to him to communicate with General Custer?
A. Immediately after I got hold of the pack train, and the wounded had been cared for.
Q. Where was the command then?
A. All there on the hill.
Q. Please state in what way you expected him to communicate with General Custer.
A. He would have his company to overcome any opposition that might be between the two commands.
...
Q. Do you remember about a guidon being placed at a point termed Captain Weir’s hill?
A. It was done.
Q. For what purpose and when?
A. It was thought it might be discovered by the scattered men and detachments. It was done at the suggestion of Captain Benteen, I think he did it.
Q. What time was that?
A. I can’t state the hour.
It was after the command started down the river
Q. This guidon you speak of being planted as a rallying point for someone, where was it planted?
A. On the top of the highest hill
...
Q. Was any support sent to Captain Weir at the time this order was sent?
A. At that time the whole column started toward him. He was regarded as the advance guard.
...
A. Lieutenant Hare, who was acting as my adjutant, came back to me and said Weir had taken him out to show the impracticability of going any further, and that was the time that he used my name and told them to come back.
...
He {Weir} soon sent word by Lieutenant Hare that he could go no farther, and that the Indians were getting around him.
At this time he was keeping up a heavy fire from his skirmish line.
I at once turned everything back to the first position I had taken on the bluffs, and which seemed to me the best.
I moved to the summit of the highest bluff, but seeing and hearing nothing sent Captain Weir with his company to open communications with him.
{Hare: He was going to that highest point {marked pt 5} when I went away}
A. Before the pack train came up the command was put in position. It was on this hill which I thought would enable everybody to see it, and I kept it there as a nucleus about which these scattered parties could gather, till they all came together. That was the purpose for which I went there.
When Lieutenant Hare returned from the pack train, I told him to go to Captain Weir who, on his own hook, had moved out his company, and tell him to communicate with General Custer if he could
...
Q. Who took that order to Weir to communicate with Custer?
A. Lieutenant Hare.
Q. When was it that you sent the order to him to communicate with General Custer?
A. Immediately after I got hold of the pack train, and the wounded had been cared for.
Q. Where was the command then?
A. All there on the hill.
Q. Please state in what way you expected him to communicate with General Custer.
A. He would have his company to overcome any opposition that might be between the two commands.
...
Q. Do you remember about a guidon being placed at a point termed Captain Weir’s hill?
A. It was done.
Q. For what purpose and when?
A. It was thought it might be discovered by the scattered men and detachments. It was done at the suggestion of Captain Benteen, I think he did it.
Q. What time was that?
A. I can’t state the hour.
It was after the command started down the river
Q. This guidon you speak of being planted as a rallying point for someone, where was it planted?
A. On the top of the highest hill
...
Q. Was any support sent to Captain Weir at the time this order was sent?
A. At that time the whole column started toward him. He was regarded as the advance guard.
...
A. Lieutenant Hare, who was acting as my adjutant, came back to me and said Weir had taken him out to show the impracticability of going any further, and that was the time that he used my name and told them to come back.
...
He {Weir} soon sent word by Lieutenant Hare that he could go no farther, and that the Indians were getting around him.
At this time he was keeping up a heavy fire from his skirmish line.
I at once turned everything back to the first position I had taken on the bluffs, and which seemed to me the best.
Benteen
Q. When you met Trumpeter Martin did he report to you on which side of the river General Custer’s column was?
A. Not at that time.
He did after we had reached that highest point at the figure “7.” He then pointed out the place from which he had been sent back
Q. State what efforts, if any, that command made to inform General Custer or his command of your position by planting guidons or flags or anything of that kind.
A. The troops were by file on a line of river bluffs and, as I have stated, another company was formed at right angles on another ridge.
I planted a guidon at the highest point that looked over that country. Some of the officers say that the battlefield was in sight, but I know positively that it was not, having gone over it two or three times since.
Q. State whether at that highest point you saw any evidence of fighting or hear the sounds of any firing.
A. I saw no such evidence nor heard any firing.
...
Q. How far down the river was the furthest point reached by any company under Major Reno?
A. About half a mile below that highest point.
Q. When the line was returning, where was {Reno}? Was he back selecting a position or was he with the troops checking the advance of the Indians?
A. I had left one company on the ridge with instructions to send their horses back dismounted, and to hold that ridge at all hazards. Mind you, I was looking after things probably more than it was my business or duty to do. This company, when we got back to the place where we were corralled, had left that point and were in the line coming back as rapidly as were any of the others. I then sent Captain Godfrey’s company back to another hill to check the Indians till we formed, and that he was all right, that he would be looked out for and they got in all right.
Q. Did you see Major Reno there or not?
A. I saw him there. He came back with me and talked with me.
Q. When you met Trumpeter Martin did he report to you on which side of the river General Custer’s column was?
A. Not at that time.
He did after we had reached that highest point at the figure “7.” He then pointed out the place from which he had been sent back
Q. State what efforts, if any, that command made to inform General Custer or his command of your position by planting guidons or flags or anything of that kind.
A. The troops were by file on a line of river bluffs and, as I have stated, another company was formed at right angles on another ridge.
I planted a guidon at the highest point that looked over that country. Some of the officers say that the battlefield was in sight, but I know positively that it was not, having gone over it two or three times since.
Q. State whether at that highest point you saw any evidence of fighting or hear the sounds of any firing.
A. I saw no such evidence nor heard any firing.
...
Q. How far down the river was the furthest point reached by any company under Major Reno?
A. About half a mile below that highest point.
Q. When the line was returning, where was {Reno}? Was he back selecting a position or was he with the troops checking the advance of the Indians?
A. I had left one company on the ridge with instructions to send their horses back dismounted, and to hold that ridge at all hazards. Mind you, I was looking after things probably more than it was my business or duty to do. This company, when we got back to the place where we were corralled, had left that point and were in the line coming back as rapidly as were any of the others. I then sent Captain Godfrey’s company back to another hill to check the Indians till we formed, and that he was all right, that he would be looked out for and they got in all right.
Q. Did you see Major Reno there or not?
A. I saw him there. He came back with me and talked with me.
Edgerly
Q. Locate on the map, if you can, that advanced position that Captain Weir first took with his company and the position of the other companies that went there.
A. We moved out along the ridge, the highest point, that point “7,” and then we moved down the valley in the general direction of the point “8.”
We moved from Major Reno’s position about a mile and a half, and then
swung around on those swells and came up again and met the other companies coming up.
We moved out and went to a point which I now mark “9.”
...
After we had gone a short distance down the valley, Col. Weir, who had remained to our left, on the bluff, saw a large number of Indians coming toward us, and motioned with his hand for me to swing around with the troop to where he was, which I did.
When I got up on the bluff I saw Col. Benteen, Captain French and Lieutenant Godfrey coming toward us with their troops. We moved along on that bluff for a short distance, when the Indians commenced to fire on us.
...
Weir standing on high point signaled that Inds. were coming & he therefore turned back and circled to left and crossed his track and took the high peak still in advance of Weir
Edgerly out in advance went to the right about down Custer's trail, & swung around back to Weir then ahead to high ground in front of Weir
{herorest: Edgerley was in advance of Weir}
They saw us about the same time we saw them. I went down this valley, Captain Weir keeping up on the ridge. Pretty soon he saw Indians start for me, and
he signaled me to swing to the right. I obeyed it and came round up on the hill
and saw Captain Benteen, Captain French and Captain Godfrey, with their companies and I also saw Lieutenant Hare speak to Captain Weir. The Indians opened fire on us as we got on those points.
...
After they got out ahead Lieut. Hare came out with instructions from Reno to open up communication with Custer if they could.
...
After a little while Captain Benteen moved back with his company towards the corral, I don’t remember seeing Major Reno till we got back.
Firing out here lasted about 1/2 hour when were ordered back to Reno's position.
Edgerly says that when retreated from the advance there were not many Indians in their front, but became more numerous as retreated back. Edgerly says when he was ordered to fall back there were not many Indians in his front and he obeyed reluctantly
…
As we got within 60 yards from that point I saw K Company with Captain Godfrey and Lieutenant Hare, their men dismounted and their horses being led back. They had seen us coming and Captain Godfrey had turned back and covered our retreat in the most brave and fearless manner.
Q. You think then in five minutes after you reached the {Reno} hill, if you fix the duration of the battle at 25 or 30 minutes, that in 30 or 35 minutes after you reached the hill the whole command was killed?
A. Not over that.
...believed the “interview” must have been taken from his correspondence with Camp.
Yours Friendly,
W.S. Edgerly
B.Y.U.
EDGERLY, Winfield S.
correspondence
From Camp 1908 Nov 20
To Camp 1909 Feb 23
To Camp 1909 Feb 26
To Camp 1911 Jan 17
interview
[n.d.]
Wylie / Morris
Q. Locate on the map, if you can, that advanced position that Captain Weir first took with his company and the position of the other companies that went there.
A. We moved out along the ridge, the highest point, that point “7,” and then we moved down the valley in the general direction of the point “8.”
We moved from Major Reno’s position about a mile and a half, and then
swung around on those swells and came up again and met the other companies coming up.
We moved out and went to a point which I now mark “9.”
...
After we had gone a short distance down the valley, Col. Weir, who had remained to our left, on the bluff, saw a large number of Indians coming toward us, and motioned with his hand for me to swing around with the troop to where he was, which I did.
When I got up on the bluff I saw Col. Benteen, Captain French and Lieutenant Godfrey coming toward us with their troops. We moved along on that bluff for a short distance, when the Indians commenced to fire on us.
...
Weir standing on high point signaled that Inds. were coming & he therefore turned back and circled to left and crossed his track and took the high peak still in advance of Weir
Edgerly out in advance went to the right about down Custer's trail, & swung around back to Weir then ahead to high ground in front of Weir
{herorest: Edgerley was in advance of Weir}
They saw us about the same time we saw them. I went down this valley, Captain Weir keeping up on the ridge. Pretty soon he saw Indians start for me, and
he signaled me to swing to the right. I obeyed it and came round up on the hill
and saw Captain Benteen, Captain French and Captain Godfrey, with their companies and I also saw Lieutenant Hare speak to Captain Weir. The Indians opened fire on us as we got on those points.
...
After they got out ahead Lieut. Hare came out with instructions from Reno to open up communication with Custer if they could.
...
After a little while Captain Benteen moved back with his company towards the corral, I don’t remember seeing Major Reno till we got back.
Firing out here lasted about 1/2 hour when were ordered back to Reno's position.
Edgerly says that when retreated from the advance there were not many Indians in their front, but became more numerous as retreated back. Edgerly says when he was ordered to fall back there were not many Indians in his front and he obeyed reluctantly
…
As we got within 60 yards from that point I saw K Company with Captain Godfrey and Lieutenant Hare, their men dismounted and their horses being led back. They had seen us coming and Captain Godfrey had turned back and covered our retreat in the most brave and fearless manner.
Q. You think then in five minutes after you reached the {Reno} hill, if you fix the duration of the battle at 25 or 30 minutes, that in 30 or 35 minutes after you reached the hill the whole command was killed?
A. Not over that.
...believed the “interview” must have been taken from his correspondence with Camp.
Yours Friendly,
W.S. Edgerly
B.Y.U.
EDGERLY, Winfield S.
correspondence
From Camp 1908 Nov 20
To Camp 1909 Feb 23
To Camp 1909 Feb 26
To Camp 1911 Jan 17
interview
[n.d.]
Wylie / Morris
Wylie/Morris
Men dismounted and put horses behind Edgerly peaks and behind hill to east and men formed line over this hill from east to west,
seeing many horsemen over on distant ridge with guidons flying Weir said "That is Custer over there and mounted up ready to go over, when Sergt. Flanagan said: "Here, Capt. you had better take a look through the glasses, I think those are Indians. "
Weir did so and changed his mind about leaving the place.
Accordingly the men were dismounted and the horses led behind the hill.
Men dismounted and put horses behind Edgerly peaks and behind hill to east and men formed line over this hill from east to west,
seeing many horsemen over on distant ridge with guidons flying Weir said "That is Custer over there and mounted up ready to go over, when Sergt. Flanagan said: "Here, Capt. you had better take a look through the glasses, I think those are Indians. "
Weir did so and changed his mind about leaving the place.
Accordingly the men were dismounted and the horses led behind the hill.
Davern
A. The column halted and Major Reno sent for Captain Weir.
Q. State, if you know, what orders were given by Major Reno at the time you started back
A. I don’t know of any orders. I saw Major Reno and Captain Benteen talking together, but I don’t know what they said.
{Hare: Benteen and Reno were discussing matters. They were standing about 1/2 mile in rear of Co. D...
'Weir came' back and join Major Reno’s column on the hill marked “5"}
A. The column halted and Major Reno sent for Captain Weir.
Q. State, if you know, what orders were given by Major Reno at the time you started back
A. I don’t know of any orders. I saw Major Reno and Captain Benteen talking together, but I don’t know what they said.
{Hare: Benteen and Reno were discussing matters. They were standing about 1/2 mile in rear of Co. D...
'Weir came' back and join Major Reno’s column on the hill marked “5"}
McDougall
On Reno hill what talk of trying to join Custer when McDougall came up and afterward. Right away he heard firing and asked Godfrey if he heard it. Godfrey, who was deaf, said he believed he did.
McDougall then said: I think we ought to be down there with him, and went up to where Reno and Benteen stood talking and expressed to them the same opinion. Reno did not appear to regard the seriousness of the situation.
all 7 cos. went out, Moylan with Co. A being the last to start. Moylan had the wounded. On the advance Benteen's men were by file along ridge parallel with river. The pack train merely got started before it was ordered to fall back. The rear then became the head of the columns.
On Reno hill what talk of trying to join Custer when McDougall came up and afterward. Right away he heard firing and asked Godfrey if he heard it. Godfrey, who was deaf, said he believed he did.
McDougall then said: I think we ought to be down there with him, and went up to where Reno and Benteen stood talking and expressed to them the same opinion. Reno did not appear to regard the seriousness of the situation.
all 7 cos. went out, Moylan with Co. A being the last to start. Moylan had the wounded. On the advance Benteen's men were by file along ridge parallel with river. The pack train merely got started before it was ordered to fall back. The rear then became the head of the columns.
Godfrey
In the advance toward Custer, Co. D went out first, then M, K and H. These men were at intervals along the high ridge and two high peaks, in a line approximately north and south, M behind D and K behind M.
Benteen did not remain there long, but went back and joined Reno, who was coming up with the rest of the troops.
...
The command was now dismounted to fight on foot. Weir's and French's troops were posted on the high bluffs and to the front of them; my own troop along the crest of the bluffs next to the river, the rest of the command moved to the rear, as I supposed to occupy other points in the vicinity, to make this our defensive position. Busying myself with posting my men, giving direction about the use of ammunition, etc., I was a little startled by the remark that the command was out of sight.
...
Here Godfrey's impression was that a stand would be made, putting the packs in the hollow behind the surrounding hills, to the west, north and east.
He was soon surprised, however, by Hare riding up and saying that the commanding officer had ordered that they fall back.
...
At this time Weir's and French's troops were being attacked. Orders were soon brought to me by Lieutenant Hare, Acting Adjutant, to join the main command.
...
Directly M troop came galloping up and went past and next Co. D went past without Edgerly, who was having difficulty in mounting his horse. After those two troops had passed, Godfrey said to Hare: Look here, hell's to pay, for the Indians were coming in swarms along the ridge which the troops had just left.
...
Godfrey, after passing the long ridge some distance dismounted his men, forming a skirmish line at right angles to the river and began to hold the Indians in check, at the same time sending the lead horses on back on the line of retreat
...
Lieutenant Hare expressed his intention of staying with me "Adjutant or no Adjutant." The led horses were sent to the main command
CO K was guarding ridge in rear of Weir Hill about 1/4-1/2 mile south of Weir Hill
I had gone but a short distance when Captain French’s company came down the hill passing to the rear very rapidly and soon after Lieutenant Edgerly with D Company came down the hill quite rapidly. The Indians followed them to the crest of the hill and began a very heavy fire on them. As soon as I saw the Indians I dismounted my company and threw it out as skirmishers, and as soon as Lieutenant Edgerly and his company passed I commenced firing on the Indians and drove them back behind the hill, and they took position there behind the hill.
When we got to the ridge in front of Reno's position I observed some Indians making all haste to get possession of a hill to the right.
I could not see the rest of the command, and I knew that that hill would command Reno's position. Supposing that my troop was to occupy the line we were then on, I ordered Hare to take ten men and hold the hill, but, just as he was moving off, an order came from Reno to get back as quickly as possible; so I recalled Hare
{Hare: A. Captain Weir and Captain French were the only ones who engaged the Indians till within 3 or 4 hundred yards of the final stand. Then Captain Godfrey engaged them.
...these two companies came tearing along and passed Co. K., which dismounted at the point where Reno retreated up the bluffs and held the Indians in check”
Benteen: I then sent Captain Godfrey’s company back to another hill to check the Indians till we formed}
In the advance toward Custer, Co. D went out first, then M, K and H. These men were at intervals along the high ridge and two high peaks, in a line approximately north and south, M behind D and K behind M.
Benteen did not remain there long, but went back and joined Reno, who was coming up with the rest of the troops.
...
The command was now dismounted to fight on foot. Weir's and French's troops were posted on the high bluffs and to the front of them; my own troop along the crest of the bluffs next to the river, the rest of the command moved to the rear, as I supposed to occupy other points in the vicinity, to make this our defensive position. Busying myself with posting my men, giving direction about the use of ammunition, etc., I was a little startled by the remark that the command was out of sight.
...
Here Godfrey's impression was that a stand would be made, putting the packs in the hollow behind the surrounding hills, to the west, north and east.
He was soon surprised, however, by Hare riding up and saying that the commanding officer had ordered that they fall back.
...
At this time Weir's and French's troops were being attacked. Orders were soon brought to me by Lieutenant Hare, Acting Adjutant, to join the main command.
...
Directly M troop came galloping up and went past and next Co. D went past without Edgerly, who was having difficulty in mounting his horse. After those two troops had passed, Godfrey said to Hare: Look here, hell's to pay, for the Indians were coming in swarms along the ridge which the troops had just left.
...
Godfrey, after passing the long ridge some distance dismounted his men, forming a skirmish line at right angles to the river and began to hold the Indians in check, at the same time sending the lead horses on back on the line of retreat
...
Lieutenant Hare expressed his intention of staying with me "Adjutant or no Adjutant." The led horses were sent to the main command
CO K was guarding ridge in rear of Weir Hill about 1/4-1/2 mile south of Weir Hill
I had gone but a short distance when Captain French’s company came down the hill passing to the rear very rapidly and soon after Lieutenant Edgerly with D Company came down the hill quite rapidly. The Indians followed them to the crest of the hill and began a very heavy fire on them. As soon as I saw the Indians I dismounted my company and threw it out as skirmishers, and as soon as Lieutenant Edgerly and his company passed I commenced firing on the Indians and drove them back behind the hill, and they took position there behind the hill.
When we got to the ridge in front of Reno's position I observed some Indians making all haste to get possession of a hill to the right.
I could not see the rest of the command, and I knew that that hill would command Reno's position. Supposing that my troop was to occupy the line we were then on, I ordered Hare to take ten men and hold the hill, but, just as he was moving off, an order came from Reno to get back as quickly as possible; so I recalled Hare
{Hare: A. Captain Weir and Captain French were the only ones who engaged the Indians till within 3 or 4 hundred yards of the final stand. Then Captain Godfrey engaged them.
...these two companies came tearing along and passed Co. K., which dismounted at the point where Reno retreated up the bluffs and held the Indians in check”
Benteen: I then sent Captain Godfrey’s company back to another hill to check the Indians till we formed}
Gibson
thinks Weir went as far ahead as Co. D did. When Benteen got up ahead with Co. H and it was seen that Indians were coming over from Custer ridge to meet them Benteen said: "This is a hell of a place to fight Indians. I am going to see Reno and propose that we go back to where we lay before starting out here."
{Godfrey: Benteen did not remain there long, but went back and joined Reno
Hare: Benteen and Reno were discussing matters. They were standing about 1/2 mile in rear of Co. D and Benteen suggested to Reno that they fall back
'{Weir} came back and join Major Reno’s column on the hill marked “5"'}
Gibson: met the three crows before they got to Reno on the hill. They pointed out the direction were Reno's men where.
{Martin: As Benteen approached the river we turned to the north along the bluffs just above the river and there met three Crow scouts who pointed out Reno's men}
thinks Weir went as far ahead as Co. D did. When Benteen got up ahead with Co. H and it was seen that Indians were coming over from Custer ridge to meet them Benteen said: "This is a hell of a place to fight Indians. I am going to see Reno and propose that we go back to where we lay before starting out here."
{Godfrey: Benteen did not remain there long, but went back and joined Reno
Hare: Benteen and Reno were discussing matters. They were standing about 1/2 mile in rear of Co. D and Benteen suggested to Reno that they fall back
'{Weir} came back and join Major Reno’s column on the hill marked “5"'}
Gibson: met the three crows before they got to Reno on the hill. They pointed out the direction were Reno's men where.
{Martin: As Benteen approached the river we turned to the north along the bluffs just above the river and there met three Crow scouts who pointed out Reno's men}
Benteen
In regard to Benteen's statement about meeting the Crows, he is very clear as to time and place, and is corroborated by Godfrey and several of the enlisted men and by Goes Ahead and White Man Runs Him, himself. Benteen met the three Crows on the first rise of the bluffs north of the mouth of Sundance Creek. This is 1600 or 1800 feet north of Ford A, and about 1 1/8 miles, in an airline, south of Reno Hill...
Godfrey
stated to {Camp} personally that they (Godfrey being with Benteen) met the Crows here and that he, personally, rode up to one of the Crows and tried to talk to him. He says there could be no mistake about these men meeting Benteen's command on the bluff at this place; in fact White Man goes into details about it.
WMRH
We went back and met Benteen and had some talk through some soldier who could talk a little of Crow. Half Yellow Face and White Swan had not yet come out of the valley when we left.
In regard to Benteen's statement about meeting the Crows, he is very clear as to time and place, and is corroborated by Godfrey and several of the enlisted men and by Goes Ahead and White Man Runs Him, himself. Benteen met the three Crows on the first rise of the bluffs north of the mouth of Sundance Creek. This is 1600 or 1800 feet north of Ford A, and about 1 1/8 miles, in an airline, south of Reno Hill...
Godfrey
stated to {Camp} personally that they (Godfrey being with Benteen) met the Crows here and that he, personally, rode up to one of the Crows and tried to talk to him. He says there could be no mistake about these men meeting Benteen's command on the bluff at this place; in fact White Man goes into details about it.
WMRH
We went back and met Benteen and had some talk through some soldier who could talk a little of Crow. Half Yellow Face and White Swan had not yet come out of the valley when we left.
Herendeen
what is called Weir’s Hill is the highest point on the ridge in that vicinity...that highest point, Weir’s Hill, probably half a mile down {from Reno corral}}
{Martin: Custer first halted on Weir's Hill and took a look at village
Yes sir, the highest hill the very highest point around there}
Q. how near was General Custer to his battlefield when Major Reno left the timber with his command?
A...depending on how fast {Custer} was traveling. He ought to have been beyond Major Reno’s position, on the hill, about half a mile...from the point we called Weir’s Hill, there is a sort of swale runs down and it is nice traveling to the creek...
what is called Weir’s Hill is the highest point on the ridge in that vicinity...that highest point, Weir’s Hill, probably half a mile down {from Reno corral}}
{Martin: Custer first halted on Weir's Hill and took a look at village
Yes sir, the highest hill the very highest point around there}
Q. how near was General Custer to his battlefield when Major Reno left the timber with his command?
A...depending on how fast {Custer} was traveling. He ought to have been beyond Major Reno’s position, on the hill, about half a mile...from the point we called Weir’s Hill, there is a sort of swale runs down and it is nice traveling to the creek...
Varnum
But I saw about the time Major Reno’s command dismounted in the bottom just as I joined it from the left and front, looking on the bluffs across the river to our right I saw the Gray Horse Company of the regiment moving down along those bluffs. As I know now the Gray Horse Company was with his command, I know it was General Custer’s column."
Assuming that the position of Major Reno’s command on the hill is correct it was probably a quarter of a mile below that
...
...it was 5:30 p.m. or later when the three companies moved down to support Weir. Varnum was out ahead with these advance companies and said they were not hard pressed when they began to fall back, but by time got back to corral
the high hill over to the north was black with Indians.
But I saw about the time Major Reno’s command dismounted in the bottom just as I joined it from the left and front, looking on the bluffs across the river to our right I saw the Gray Horse Company of the regiment moving down along those bluffs. As I know now the Gray Horse Company was with his command, I know it was General Custer’s column."
Assuming that the position of Major Reno’s command on the hill is correct it was probably a quarter of a mile below that
...
...it was 5:30 p.m. or later when the three companies moved down to support Weir. Varnum was out ahead with these advance companies and said they were not hard pressed when they began to fall back, but by time got back to corral
the high hill over to the north was black with Indians.
O'Neil
When about half way down to where skirmish line was formed he saw Custer and his whole command on the bluffs across the river, over to the east, at a point which he would think was about where Reno afterward fortified, or perhaps a little south of this.
When about half way down to where skirmish line was formed he saw Custer and his whole command on the bluffs across the river, over to the east, at a point which he would think was about where Reno afterward fortified, or perhaps a little south of this.
Petring
when in the bottom going towards skirmish line I saw Custer over on the bluffs waving his hat. 'There goes Custer'...
when in the bottom going towards skirmish line I saw Custer over on the bluffs waving his hat. 'There goes Custer'...
Daniel Newell of M Troop
saw Custer's command on bluffs across river when Reno was fighting. He says at this time Custer must have been 1/2 or 3/4 miles north of where Reno was corraled, on edge of bluff, where he could see river. Says he was going fast when he saw...
saw Custer's command on bluffs across river when Reno was fighting. He says at this time Custer must have been 1/2 or 3/4 miles north of where Reno was corraled, on edge of bluff, where he could see river. Says he was going fast when he saw...
Girard
10 or 15 minutes before Reno left the timber Girard saw Custer's command across the river to the southeast. This seems to agree with Knipe's account, who said he could see Reno's forces. Girard says that Reno's fight did not last longer than 20 minutes. ... Girard said that Custer's command, when he saw it, was moving very fast.
Girard is satisfied it was Custer's command because it was farther north than where Reno fortified and Benten did not get up to Reno until after Reno got to bluffs and Girard saw Custer before Reno left the timber
…
”Reno led his men in Indian file back to the ford above which he had seen Custer's command pass.”
10 or 15 minutes before Reno left the timber Girard saw Custer's command across the river to the southeast. This seems to agree with Knipe's account, who said he could see Reno's forces. Girard says that Reno's fight did not last longer than 20 minutes. ... Girard said that Custer's command, when he saw it, was moving very fast.
Girard is satisfied it was Custer's command because it was farther north than where Reno fortified and Benten did not get up to Reno until after Reno got to bluffs and Girard saw Custer before Reno left the timber
…
”Reno led his men in Indian file back to the ford above which he had seen Custer's command pass.”
DeRudio
The only observation I made was while I was in the woods.
General Custer, Lieut. Cook and another man I could not recognize came to the highest point of the bluff
and waved their hats and made motions like they were cheering and pretty soon disappeared. I judge by that that probably his column was behind the bluff.
...
Q. Where was that?
A. It was on the highest point on the right bank of the creek just below where Dr. DeWolf was killed.
The witness then designated on the map by the figure “7,” about the point where he saw General Custer on that occasion.
{Martin: It was on a line leading from Major Reno’s position to the point “7”}
{Benteen: He did after we had reached that highest point at the figure “7.”}
Q. About how far do you think it was from the point on the bluff occupied by Major Reno?
A. I think it could not have been more than 5 or 600 yards. It was a higher point but lower down on the river.
{Camp: “It is 1700ft from Reno’s retreat up to Weir's Hill”}
A. There were 3 together, one was Lieutenant Cooke, the other one I could not recognize. I don’t know whether it was another officer or an orderly. I recognized General Custer and Lieutenant Cooke by their dress, they had on blue shirts and buckskin pants.
Q. Do you mean to say that you could distinguish General Custer at that distance?
A. I could not, only by knowing he was about there, and by recognizing his peculiar dress. He and Lieutenant Cooke were the only ones who had blue shirts and no jackets and buckskin pants and, besides, Lieutenant Cooke had an immense beard which could be recognized at that distance?
Q. Do you mean to say that at the distance of 1000 yards you could distinctly distinguish General Custer and Lieutenant Cooke without a glass?
A. I did recognize them simply by their dress.
The only observation I made was while I was in the woods.
General Custer, Lieut. Cook and another man I could not recognize came to the highest point of the bluff
and waved their hats and made motions like they were cheering and pretty soon disappeared. I judge by that that probably his column was behind the bluff.
...
Q. Where was that?
A. It was on the highest point on the right bank of the creek just below where Dr. DeWolf was killed.
The witness then designated on the map by the figure “7,” about the point where he saw General Custer on that occasion.
{Martin: It was on a line leading from Major Reno’s position to the point “7”}
{Benteen: He did after we had reached that highest point at the figure “7.”}
Q. About how far do you think it was from the point on the bluff occupied by Major Reno?
A. I think it could not have been more than 5 or 600 yards. It was a higher point but lower down on the river.
{Camp: “It is 1700ft from Reno’s retreat up to Weir's Hill”}
A. There were 3 together, one was Lieutenant Cooke, the other one I could not recognize. I don’t know whether it was another officer or an orderly. I recognized General Custer and Lieutenant Cooke by their dress, they had on blue shirts and buckskin pants.
Q. Do you mean to say that you could distinguish General Custer at that distance?
A. I could not, only by knowing he was about there, and by recognizing his peculiar dress. He and Lieutenant Cooke were the only ones who had blue shirts and no jackets and buckskin pants and, besides, Lieutenant Cooke had an immense beard which could be recognized at that distance?
Q. Do you mean to say that at the distance of 1000 yards you could distinctly distinguish General Custer and Lieutenant Cooke without a glass?
A. I did recognize them simply by their dress.
Martin
Then the General took me with him and we rode to the top of the hill, where we could see the village in the valley on the other side of the river
…
before Custer reached High ridge he marched in column of twos with Gray Horses in center of column
Custer halted command on the high ridge about 10 minutes and officers looked at village through glasses.
...
Q. That place from which you saw the village and children, dogs and ponies - was it the highest point down the river below where Major Reno made his stand?
A. Yes sir, the highest hill the very highest point around there.
It was on a line leading from Major Reno’s position to the point “7” as I understand the map
{DeRudio: The witness then designated on the map by the figure “7,” about the point where he saw General Custer}
{Benteen: He did after we had reached that highest point at the figure “7.”}
I showed Benteen where I left with note from Custer
{Benteen: He then pointed out the place from which he had been sent back}
On going back over that ridge I looked down into the bottom, and I saw Major Reno’s battalion was engaged.
Q. Was his line deployed in skirmish form?
A. Yes, sir.
As Benteen approached the river we turned to the north along the bluffs just above the river and there met three Crow scouts who pointed out Reno's men who were now retreating across the bottom.
{Gibson: met the three crows before they got to Reno on the hill. They pointed out the directinon were Reno's men where.}
Then the General took me with him and we rode to the top of the hill, where we could see the village in the valley on the other side of the river
…
before Custer reached High ridge he marched in column of twos with Gray Horses in center of column
Custer halted command on the high ridge about 10 minutes and officers looked at village through glasses.
...
Q. That place from which you saw the village and children, dogs and ponies - was it the highest point down the river below where Major Reno made his stand?
A. Yes sir, the highest hill the very highest point around there.
It was on a line leading from Major Reno’s position to the point “7” as I understand the map
{DeRudio: The witness then designated on the map by the figure “7,” about the point where he saw General Custer}
{Benteen: He did after we had reached that highest point at the figure “7.”}
I showed Benteen where I left with note from Custer
{Benteen: He then pointed out the place from which he had been sent back}
On going back over that ridge I looked down into the bottom, and I saw Major Reno’s battalion was engaged.
Q. Was his line deployed in skirmish form?
A. Yes, sir.
As Benteen approached the river we turned to the north along the bluffs just above the river and there met three Crow scouts who pointed out Reno's men who were now retreating across the bottom.
{Gibson: met the three crows before they got to Reno on the hill. They pointed out the directinon were Reno's men where.}
DeRudio
the story published in fall of 1876 in New York Herald and other papers as coming from him was written by Major Brisbin. DeRudio had given Brisbin a statement of the facts with a promise from Brisbin that they were not to be published, but Brisbin violated the agreement.
Says Brisbin colored up the story considerably
The following is an extract from a letter dated December 20, 1922, to an unidentified correspondent from Walter Camp, a copy of which is in the editor's possession:
DeRudio personally did not write any newspaper stories in 1876, '77 or '78. There is a story written in the first person under the name of Lieut. DeRudio, but it was written by Major Brisbin, of the 2nd Cavalry. DeRudio told me this himself, and cautioned me not to take all of it seriously, saying that Brisbin "colored" it a good deal.
the story published in fall of 1876 in New York Herald and other papers as coming from him was written by Major Brisbin. DeRudio had given Brisbin a statement of the facts with a promise from Brisbin that they were not to be published, but Brisbin violated the agreement.
Says Brisbin colored up the story considerably
The following is an extract from a letter dated December 20, 1922, to an unidentified correspondent from Walter Camp, a copy of which is in the editor's possession:
DeRudio personally did not write any newspaper stories in 1876, '77 or '78. There is a story written in the first person under the name of Lieut. DeRudio, but it was written by Major Brisbin, of the 2nd Cavalry. DeRudio told me this himself, and cautioned me not to take all of it seriously, saying that Brisbin "colored" it a good deal.
{Edgerly: he signaled me to swing to the right. I obeyed it and came round up on the hill}