Page 529

AQ That had no influence on iyi actions at all   I should have done the same
    thing if a man had not been hit-
Q   Then it was due to other things than the actual loss the command had
then
    sustained?
A. Yes, sir0
Q. Was there any communication on the part of anyone to you that Gen, Custer's
    column had been seen while you were in the timber?
Ao No, sir;   never.
                               QUETICNS BY TIEi COURT
Cv  In approaching that river, how was it you took that route you did?
A0 Because I followed the main trail to the village0
< Did you see any practicable route to your right?
A. No, sir0
A. At the time you commmenced your retreat from the bottom,, did you have
any
    idea as to where Gen. Custergs command probably was?
A. I had not. I knew he was not on the bank of the river where the village
    was, and if there was any chance for him to see me, it was on this hill
    where he could see me.
Q. Did you have any doubts of your ability to explain to your conmmanding
    officer your retreat from your position afterward?
A. I knew I could explain it0
4  You thought you would have to?
A. I diddnVt know I wculd have to, I can~t say. I thought I knew I could
    explain it; but I know now I could explain it, and that I knew it at
    the time, but I never gave it a thought. I never thought it would be
    questioned.
    The witness then retired,
    MAJOR RENO TH1EN O7'FERED AND READ IN EVIDENCE THAT PART OF THE REPORT
OF ,T'ENERAL SHERRMAN0, WHICH READS AS FOLW0S;
          "In this engagement the five companies of the 7th Cavalry
     led by Lieut. Col0 Custer in person, viz? 2C1, SE', P  PI'
     and fL9 were literally obliterated, and the remaining seven
     %companies were saved by the brave and prudent conduct of Major
     Reno, and the timely arrival of General Terry."
     4JOR RENO THEN OFFERED AND READ IN EVIDENCE CERTAIN PAPERS, copies of
which are hereto appended and marked respectively  EXHIBITS No.0 "9"
, NoW"10"1,
and N  to0 1rllf#
     Major Reno then announced that he had no further testimony to offer
before the Court and asked unLil M1onday morning next at 11 o&clock*
in which
to prepare his written statement, which request was granted,
     And thcreunorn the Court adjourned to meet at 11 o9 cock A0 ,  Mo a
4onday a
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