REO RELIEVED.



33



hearty cheers from a swarm of soldiers who came out
of their intrenchments to meet their deliverers. The
scene was a touching one. Stout-hearted soldiers Who
had kept bravely up during the hours of conflict and
danger now cried like children, and the pale faces of
the wounded lighted up as hope revived within them.
  The story of the relieved men briefly told was as
follows:-After separating from Custer about noon,
June 25th, (as related in the last chapter) Reno pro-
ceeded to the river, forded it, and charged down its
west bank toward the village, meeting at first with
but little resistance. Soon however he was attacked
by such numbers as to be obliged to dismount his
men, shelter his horses in a strip of woods, and fight
on foot. Finding that they would soon be surrounded
and defeated, he again mounted his men, and charging
upon such of the enemy as obstructed his way, re-
treated across the river, and reached the top of a bluff
followed closely by Indians. Just then Benteen, re-
turning from his detour southward, discovered Reno's&
perilous position, drove back the Indians, and joined
him on the hill.  Shortly afterward. the company
which was escorting the mule train also joined Reno.
The seven companies thus brought together had been
subsequently assailed by Indians; many of the men
had been killed and wounded, and it was only by
obstinate resistance that they had been enabled to
defend themselves in an entrenched position. The
enemy had retired on the evening of the 26th.
  After congratulations to Reno and his brave men
for their successful defence enquiries were made re-
specting Custer, but no one could tell where he was.
Neither he or any of his men had been seen since the
fight commenced, and the musketry heard from the