soon got sheltered in the timber, and were on the defensive; the Indians now pouring in from all sides.  The Indian scouts with Reno had before now been dispersed, and were making back tracks fast as their ponies could carry them.  Accounts differ as to how long they remained in this timber, but it was probably not to exceed half an hour.  The “charge” out—­as Reno termed it—­was virtually a stampede, and many did not know of the departure until too late to start, no well-defined and well-understood order having been given to that effect.  There was no systematic attempt to check the pursuit of the Indians, who now, directed by “Gall,” swarmed down upon them and prevented them from reaching the ford at which they had crossed.  Many were killed on this retreat, and many others wounded, among the former being Lieutenant Donald McIntosh.  Reno headed the retreat, and they tore pell mell across the valley, and at the new ford they were lucky to strike, there was great confusion, it being every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost; and, as is usually the case, the (red) devil got his clutches on more than one.  Crossing the stream as best they could, Lieutenant Hodgson being killed after having crossed, men and horses climbed the steep, almost inaccessible bluffs and ravines, upon the top of which they had a chance to “take account of stock.”  Many had attempted to scale the bluffs at other points hard by.  The Indians were up there in some force, and by them, when almost up the cliffs, Dr. DeWolf was killed.

After remaining on the bluffs at least an hour, probably longer, a forward movement down stream was made for a mile or mile and a half.  Previous to this, heavy firing had been heard down the river in the direction Custer had gone.  Two distinct volleys were heard by the entire command, followed by scattering shots, and it was supposed Custer was carrying all before him.  When Reno had reached the limit of this advance north toward Custer, they saw large numbers of Indian horsemen scurrying over what afterward proved to be Custer’s battle-field.  Soon these came tearing up toward Reno, who hastily retreated from what would seem to have been a strong position, back to near the point where he had originally reached the bluffs.  Here they sheltered themselves on the small hills by the shallow breastworks, and placed the wounded and horses in a depression.  That night, until between 9 and 10 o’clock, they were subjected to a heavy fire from the Indians, who entirely surrounded them.  The firing again began at daylight of the 26th, and lasted all day, and as the Indians had command of some high points near by, there were many casualties.  Reno’s total loss, as given by Godfrey, was fifty killed, including three officers, and fifty-nine wounded.  Many of those left in the river bottom when the retreat began, eventually reached the command again, escaping under cover of night.