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Reno, Marcus A., 1835-1889, (Marcus Albert) / The official record of a court of inquiry convened at Chicago, Illinois, January 13, 1879, by the President of the United States upon the request of Major Marcus A. Reno, 7th U.S. Cavalry, to investigate his conduct at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25-26, 1876
(1951)
Twenty-fifth day, pp. 530-542
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Twenty-sixth day, pp. 542-553
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Page 542
The diversion made by Reno lasted until the brief battle which Custer and his men heroically fought against such prodigious odds had begun, and the Indians, he had detained so much longer than if in one brief mad rush he ham sacrificed his command, were unneeded to complete it, and too far away to effectively take part in it. The well chosen place on the hilltop; the attempted march to Custer, whose fate appalled by its surprise, the whole Army as well as the country; the sustained valor with which the position was defended, until it was delivered unEurrendered to Gen. Terry, the second day thereafter, are part of Reno's history. And through it all, differing as were the demands made upon his character and capacity as a soldier, no man entitled to credit in any human Court seeks to say ought against his courage, Aye, even the privates and non-commissioned officers, on what was almost the field of battle, with one voice commend him and his brother officers for promotion for soldierly bearing - And the General of the Army receives with approbation their high praise of his conduct, This, may it please the Court, is an imperfect sketch of the case as it has appeared in the testimony to which you have listened. And, we now submit it to your consideration and decision with an abiding confidence in your wisdom and sense of Justite. The Recorder then asked the Court to adjourn until 3 o~ciock PX, today for time in which to prepare his statement in reply to the one presented by X4aj0 Reno which was granted and the Court adjourned until 3 o'clock P-M. today, MONDAY Feb, 10, 1879 3 P. !4 The Court met pursuant to adjourrnmente Present All members of the Court, the Recorder, and Major Reno and his Counsel, The Court then adjourned to meet at 10030 o'clock Ao M-W, Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11, 1879. TWENTY-SIXTH DAY Chicago, Illinois, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1879 - 10:30 A.Mo The Court met pursuant to adjourninent, Present - All members of the Court, the Recorder, and Major Reno and his Counsel, The proceedings of the last session were read and approved, The Recorder then presented and read to the Court his written reply to the statement of Major Reno, which is as follows, to wit: MAY IT PLEASE THS COURT: The evidence adduced in this case is doubtless so fresh in the minds of the members of the Court that it scarcely seems necessary that I should attempt to give an exhaustive summary of all that has been presented; but at the same time there are some pointsin connection with this inquiry to which it may not be amiss for me as recorder to invite the attention of the Court. It would be useless of one unaccustomed as I am to that which pertains to the legal profession to attempt to rival the eloquence and learning displayed so brilliantly by the gifted counsel of 4aj, Reno I make no pretensions in that direction, and it were useless for me to have any aabition of that character; but I shall be content to present my views to the court in as clear and plain a manner as possible,} First; permit me to say that in any comments I may make in regard to any persons who have been connected with this case either as witnesses or other- wise, I trust that nothing may be misconstrued, for most certainly I have no -52-
Copyright 1951 by W. A. Graham.| For information on re-use see: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/Copyright