CUSTER’S LAST STAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 184, 5 July 1945, Page 5

CUSTER’S LAST STAND

BELATED PAYMENT TO INDIANS (10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 3. President Truman signed legislation for the payment of 101,630 dollars to the Sioux Indians for ponies seized alter the Custer massacre in 1876.

George Armstrong Custer, famous cavalry soldier, graduated from West Point in 'lß6l at the age of 22 and was sent, at once to the theatre of war in Virginia, joining his regiment as it was going into the first battle of Bull Run. lie nerved right, through the Civil Aar and emerged as one of the most brilliant cavalry leaders. He took part in an expedition against the Oheycnne Indians, upon whom a crushing defeat wis inflicted at. Washita River in November, lhod. In 1874 Custer was ordered against the Sioux in Dakota and .Montana. As the advance guard of the troops under Geneva’. Terry. Custer’s force arrived al the junction of Big Horn and Little Horn divers. Montana territory, on June 24. 1576, win re the main body was due to join him tv;o days later. Unfortunately the regiment was divided into three, parties to surround v. hat was reported to be a small body of Indians. They were attacked by the full force of the enemy on the next, day. The flanking forces maintained themselves with difficulty until General Terry came up, bat Custer and 264 men of the centre column rode info the midst, of the enemy and were slaughtered.