Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 January 1911 — AROUND THE CAMP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AROUND THE CAMP

BATTLES OF 7TH CAVALRY General Custer’s Regiment Had Many Thrilling Fights With Indians From 1872 to 1876. I In 1872 the Seventh United States cavalry had been scattered through seven states in the south serving as constabulary to aid the officers In the reconstruction policy, says the National Tribune in response to a query. The (threatening attitude of the Sioux In Xtekota called for cavalry and the iSeventh was sent thither. Gen. S r D; 'Sturgis, the colonel of the regiment, was assigned to duty at St Paul, Minn., and Major Reno with one squadwas detailed for escort duty with {the boundary commission. The rest of {the regiment went to Yankton, and Ithen under Lieutenant General Custer (reported to General Stanley at Fort Rice, where It'was assigned to duty in protecting the surveyors of the Northwrn Pacific railroad. The column left Ihrt Rice June 24, and August 4 General Custer had a fight with 300 Indijans near what was afterwards Fort Keogh and drove the Indians from the field by a charge. The next day the (Indians killed the sutler, veterinary wurgeon and one enlisted man. August ill the Indians attacked the regiment - (while in camp on the Yellowstone, but rwere driven oft and then pursued eight miles. The regiment lost one officer and two men wounded and one man killed. The Indian loss was 40 killed and wounded. In June, 1874, Custer went out from Fort Abraham Lincoln to reconnoiter ; the country, and spent 60 days in this. Ea September, 1874, six troops under lajor Lewis Merrill were sent to the epartment of the gulf, where they reimained until the spring of 1876. Then <all the troops of the regiment were .concentrated at Fort Lincoln to join (Terry’s column against the Sioux. The column left Fort Lincoln May 17, and (June 22 the trail of a large body of 'lndians was discovered on Rosebud !river, and Custer was sent with his (regiment to follow this, The scouts reported that a large camp had been (discovered In the valley of the Little (Big Horn. In order to prevent the escape of the Indians Custer decided to attack at once, and divided his regiiment into three squadrons, one of five troops, which hs commanded, and the others of three troops each, to be commanded by Reno and Benteen. Reno (was given the advance, while Benteen 'was sent off to the left and pouth.

Reno attacked first the greatest collection of Indians that had been seen within the memory of man, and was forced back on to the hills. Then the Indians turned their whole force upon Custer, who had made an attack from the other side, and 3,000 warrior* -equipped with the best magazine rifles surrounded the detachment and speedily exterminated it. Custer had with him 11 officers and 191 enlisted men. All of these were killed, as well as Becond Lieutenant Crittenden, Acting Assistant Surgeon DeWolf, Custer's ‘brother and nephew, and Scout Rey;nolds. Reno lost two officers and 46 Imen killed, and his surgeon and scout. !FV>rty-four enlisted men were wounded. The Indians renewed their attack •on Reno, but were driven off and finalily retreated. On the morning of June : I7 General Terry came on the battleifleld and discovered Custer's fate. The Indians dispersed and B!tting Bull With the larger part of them moved across the line Into Canada. After v some further operations against the Indians the regiment, except Troop C, concentrated at Fort Lincoln, and May 1, 1877, left there to join In the operations against the Net Perces. September 13, 1877, the Nes PerCes were overtaken and a fight followed, in which (three enlisted men were killed and .Captain French and ten men wounded September 30, 1877, the regiment had !a severe light with the Indians in the ,valley of Snake Creek, and finally. Or tober 4. Chief Joseph surrendered with tober 4. Vhlet Joseph surrendered. sMdrM. .< usanM-va— ; : > . • jraratiC'.

The Indians Attacked the Regiment While in Camp.