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the northeast； of a war party that evidently came up from the head…
waters of the Washita River。
The evening of November 21we arrived at the Camp Supply depot； having
traveled all day in another snowstorm that did not end till twenty…
four hours later。 General Sully； with Custer's regiment and the
infantry battalion； had reached the place several days before； but
the Kansas regiment had not yet put in an appearance。 All hands were
hard at work trying to shelter the stores and troops； but from the
trail seen that morning； believing that an opportunity offered to
strike an effective blow； I directed Custer to call in his working
parties and prepare to move immediately； without waiting for
Crawford's regiment； unaccountably absent。 Custer was ready to start
by the 23d； and he was then instructed to march north to where the
trail had been seen near Beaver Creek and follow it on the back
track； for； being convinced that the war party had come from the
Washita； I felt certain that this plan would lead directly to the
villages。
The difficulties attending a winter campaign were exhibited now with
their full force； as the march had to be conducted through a snow…
storm that hid surrounding objects； and so covered the country as to
alter the appearance of the prominent features； making the task of
the guides doubly troublesome； but in spite of these obstacles
fifteen miles had been traversed when Custer encamped for the night。
The next day the storm had ceased； and the weather was clear and
cold。 The heavy fall of snow had of course obliterated the trail in
the bottoms； and everywhere on the level； but； thanks to the wind；
that had swept comparatively bare the rough places and high ground；
the general direction could be traced without much trouble。 The
day's march； which was through a country abounding with buffalo； was
unattended by any special incident at first； but during the
afternoon； after getting the column across the Canadian Riveran
operation which； on account of the wagons； consumed considerable
timeCuster's scouts （friendly Osages） brought back word that； some
miles ahead； they had struck fresh signs； a trail coming into the old
one from the north； which； in their opinion； indicated that the war
party was returning to the villages。
On the receipt of this news； Custer； leaving a guard with the wagons；
hastily assembled the rest of his men' and pushing on rapidly；
overtook the scouts and a detailed party from his regiment which had
accompanied them； all halted on the new trail awaiting his arrival。
A personal examination satisfied Custer that the surmises of his
scouts were correct； and also that the fresh trail in the deep snow
could at night be followed with ease。 After a short halt for supper
and rest the pursuit was resumed； the Osage scouts in advance； and
although the hostile Indians were presumed to be yet some distance
off； every precaution was taken to prevent detection and to enable
our troops to strike them unawares。 The fresh trail； which it was
afterward ascertained had been made by raiders from Black Kettle's
village of Cheyennes； and by some Arapahoes； led into the valley of
the Washita； and growing fresher as the night wore on； finally
brought the Osages upon a campfire； still smoldering； which； it was
concluded； had been built by the Indian boys acting as herders of the
ponies during the previous day。 It was evident； then； that the
village could be but a few miles off； hence the pursuit was continued
with redoubled caution until； a few hours before dawn of the 27th； as
the leading scouts peered over a rise on the line of march； they
discovered a large body of animals in the valley below。
As soon as they reported this discovery； Custer determined to
acquaint himself with the situation by making a reconnoissance in
person； accompanied by his principal officers。 So； sending back word
to halt the cavalry； he directed the officers to ride forward with
him； then dismounting； the entire party crept cautiously to a high
point which overlooked the valley； and from where； by the bright moon
then shining； they saw just how the village was situated。 Its
position was such as to admit of easy approach from all sides。 So；
to preclude an escape of the Indians； Custer decided to attack at
daybreak； and from four different directions。
The plan having been fully explained to the officers； the remaining
hours of the night were employed in making the necessary
dispositions。 Two of the detachments left promptly； since they had
to make a circuitous march of several miles to Teach the points
designated for their attack； the third started a little later； and
then the fourth and last； under Custer himself； also moved into
position。 As the first light grew visible in the east； each column
moved closer in to the village； and then； all dispositions having
been made according to the prearranged plan； from their appointed
places the entire force to the opening notes of 〃Garry Owen；〃 played
by the regimental band as the signal for the attackdashed at a
gallop into the village。 The sleeping and unsuspecting savages were
completely surprised by the onset； yet after the first confusion；
during which the impulse to escape principally actuated them； they
seized their weapons； and from behind logs and trees； or plunging
into the stream and using its steep bank as a breastwork； they poured
upon their assailants a heavy fire； and kept on fighting with every
exhibition of desperation。 In such a combat mounted men were
useless； so Custer directed his troopers to fight on； foot； and the
Indians were successively driven from one point of vantage to
another； until； finally； by 9 o'clock the entire camp was in his
possession and the victory complete。 Black Kettle and over one
hundred of his warriors were killed； and about fifty women and
children captured； but most of the noncombatants； as well as a few
warriors and boys； escaped in the confusion of the fight。 Making
their way down the river； these fugitives alarmed the rest of the
Cheyennes and Arapahoes； and also the Kiowas and Comanches； whose
villages were in close proximitythe nearest not more than two miles
off。
Then of course all the warriors of these tribes rallied to attack
Custer； who meantime was engaged burning Black Kettle's camp and
collecting his herds of ponies。 But these new foes were rather wary
and circumspect； though they already had partial revenge in an
unlooked for way by cutting off Major Elliott and fifteen men； who
had gone off in pursuit of a batch of young warriors when the fight
was going on at the village。 In fact； the Indians had killed
Elliott's whole party； though neither the fate of the poor fellows；
nor how they happened to be caught； was known till long afterward。
It was then ascertained that the detachment pursued a course due
south； nearly at right angles to the Washita River； and after
galloping a couple of miles over the hills； crossing a small branch
of the Washita on the way； they captured some of the fugitives。 In
bringing the prisoners back； Elliott was in turn attacked on the open
prairie by a large number of savages from farther down the Washita；
who by this time were swarming to the aid of Black Kettle's village。
The little band fought its way gallantly to within rifle…range of the
small creek referred to； but could get no farther； for the Indians
had taken up a position in the bed of the stream； and from under
cover of its banks Elliott and all his remaining men were quickly
killed。 No relief was sent them； for Custer； not having seen Elliott
set out； knew nothing of the direction taken； and； besides； was busy
burning the villages and securing the ponies； and deeply concerned；
too； with defending himself from the new dangers menacing him。
Elliott and his brave little party were thus left to meet their fate
alone。
While Custer was burning the lodges and plunder and securing the
ponies； the Indians from the villages down the Washita were gathering
constantly around him till by mid…day they had collected in
thousands； and then came a new problem as to what should be done。 If
he attacked the other villages； there was great danger of his being
overwhelmed； and should he start back to Camp Supply by daylight； he
would run the risk of losing his prisoners and the ponies； so；
thinking the matter over； he decided to shoot all the ponies； and
keep skirmishing with the savages till nightfall； and then； under
cover of the darkness； return to Camp Supply； a programme that was
carried out successfully； but Custer's course received some severe
criticism because no effort was made to discover what had become of
Elliott。
Custer had； in all； two officers and nineteen men killed； and two
officers and eleven men wounded。 The blow struck was a most
effective one； and； fortunately； fell on one of the most villanous of
the hostile b