Dreams of a Kitten by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Dreams of a Kitten

Page 387

the mixed-blood Mitch Boyer, tell Custer, “General, if you don’t

find more Indians in that valley than you ever saw before, you

can hang me.” Custer testily replied, “Well, a lot of good that

would do me.”

Not only did Custer reject the warnings, he divided his force

into four groups. He ordered Benteen to take three companies of

120 men, scout a series of ridges to the southeast to spot any

Indians trying to flee, and then rejoin him. Private Charles

Windolph later reported that he heard Benteen protest, “Hadn’t

we better keep the regiment together General? If this is as big

a camp as they say, we’ll need every man we have.” Custer curtly

replied, “You have your orders.” Custer then ordered Reno to

take three companies of 140 troopers and 35 native scouts and

launch an attack from the south end of the village. The slow

pack train, under Captain Thomas McDougall, was given another

175 men. Custer retained five companies with 210 mounted

soldiers and civilians. He promised to support Reno in the

attack. To say the least, the plan was impulsive and

uncoordinated.

A Complete Rout

A few minutes after 3 PM, Reno forded the Little Bighorn River,

which the Indians called “Greasy Grass,” and raced his mounted