Trumpeter John Martin and His Life-Saving Dispatch At The Little Bighorn

The morning of June 25^th, 1876, Lt. Colonel Custer directed his officers to report as soon as each had ensured his company was ready to proceed. Lt. Edward Godfrey complained in his journal that some reported without seeing to their troops. They would march forward in the corresponding order.

Life-saving Assignments

Dutifully, Godfrey checked in only after ensuring his troop was duly prepared. As a result he was assigned to the rear, along with the regiment’s mule train. It saved his life. Those who went ahead with Custer – and many who went with Major Reno – died at the Little Bighorn.

It appears the designation of orderlies followed a similar process. On June 25^th trumpeter John Martin was designated as the colonel’s Orderly of the Day, or one of several. As with Godfrey, it saved his life.

Developing Battle Plans

Custer divided his command as he approached the sought-after village of “hostiles” on the afternoon of June 25^th. First he sent Benteen, the regiment’s senior captain, with three troops sweeping southward. He was to ensure the command would not miss hostiles encamped or fleeing in that direction. The regiment’s pack mules lagged behind under the protection of a single cavalry company.

Custer then detached Major Reno with a second battalion of three troops. Reno was ordered to proceed as fast as he could and charge into the encampment’s south end. Tall hills and bluffs obscured the village from Custer’s view, so he did not yet realize its exact location or extent. He told Reno he would support him with the whole regiment.

After separating northward from Major Reno’s attack, Custer topped a hill and saw more of the village and its layout along the Little Bighorn. However, he saw only a portion of the village. He did not fully realize what he was up against (despite repeated warnings from his scouts that they would face an overwhelming force.) Custer saw enough to make him realize he needed Benteen’s battalion to complete his developing battle plan. He wanted more ammunition too.

Misconstrued Call For Cartridges

Some writers construe Custer’s call for ammunition as a sign of desperation. History, including Martin’s later account, show it was more an afterthought. Troopers carried 50 rifle rounds in their ammunition belts and 100 more in saddle bags. They also carried 24 revolver rounds apiece. Custer’s message was not sent under duress.

Martin’s Account

Trumpeter Martin’s written account nearly 50 years later provides some of the best insight into Custer’s plans and intentions. As Custer’s orderly, Martin rode within a few yards of Custer until detached with a message for Benteen. Martin heard and witnessed most of the orders as they were given out. They reveal a great deal.

Martin states Custer told Reno he would have Benteen hurry northward and attack the village’s center. Custer would “drive them” (the hostiles) from the north.

Martin’s account is included, along with numerous others, in Colonel William A. Graham’s tremendous resource book “The Custer Myth, A Source Book of Custeriana.” The only caveat is that Martin was an Italian immigrant who had just arrived in America two years prior. His difficulty with English may have caused misunderstanding of some statements, or miscommunication of others. (He referenced that in regard to his 1879 testimony in the Reno Court of Inquiry.)

Custer’s First Impressions

Martin relates that upon seeing the village Custer first noticed no warriors. He was unable to see Reno’s advance or the warriors that were rushing to meet him. Custer is said to have commented the men appeared to be asleep still in their tepees. (Some, in fact, were rising late after their large social dances the previous night.) Martin related that Custer then commented only that his command had “got them this time.” He was likely still under the impression the hostiles were fleeing.

Custer turned and yelled, according to Martin, “Hurrah, boys, we’ve got them! We’ll finish them up and then go home to our station.” Then he and Martin returned to the troops, conferred with adjutant Cooke, and proceeded another mile northward at a trot and gallop. Martin estimated they had gone three miles from where Reno was detached.

Only after reaching a ravine leading downward toward the Little Bighorn (Medicine Tail Coulee) did Custer detach Martin with his classic message to Benteen. First Custer ordered Martin to ride as fast as he could to Benteen and tell him to hurry. Martin recounts Custer’s mention of a big village and Benteen’s need to be quick – and to bring the ammunition packs.

The Historic Dispatch

Custer’s adjutant, Lt. W.W. Cooke, told Martin to wait while he hurriedly wrote the command out in a small memo book. He then tore the page out and handed it to Martin. That message is the classic, “Benteen, come on – big village – be quick – bring packs. P.S. – bring packs.” Even most casual students of the battle know of it.

Martin related that his horse was fatigued, but he rode as fast as he was able over the troops’ back trail. He was fired on by a small group of warriors and was thankful he was not hit. He realized only later that a round had hit his horse. He related that when he topped the hill where he and Custer first surveyed the village, he could now see Reno’s skirmish line as it fell back under attack.

Boston Custer had left his brothers’ battalion earlier when his horse “played out.” He had gone back to the pack train in order to obtain a replacement. Martin met him near the high hill. Boston asked where the “general” was, and Martin directed him northward. Boston’s body was later found near those of his brothers. Under orders to hurry, Martin continued south.

Martin’s Message

Finally locating Benteen, Martin conveyed his message. Benteen asked, “Where’s the General now?” Martin relates he replied they had seen Indians running and he believed by that time Custer had charged through the village. That information undoubtedly played into Benteen’s subsequent course of action. Reno would soon appear far more in need of help than Custer did at that time.

Martin belonged to Benteen’s company and was directed to stay with it. That order also helped preserve his life. He remained with Reno and Benteen’s combined forces under siege for two days but survived. He related an attempt to move the forces in Custer’s direction once they had reorganized (despite the challenge of caring for wounded troopers). Overwhelming numbers of Indians prevented the move, and the besieged forces fell back. They believed Custer had withdrawn northward to join Terry and Gibbon’s column.

Background and Military Career

Born Giovanni Martini in Rome in 1851, Martin had been a drummer boy in the Army of Liberation by age 14. By 1866 he apparently served as a soldier against Austrians in Italy’s armed conflict. He came to America in 1873 and soon enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to Benteen’s H Company, 7^th Cavalry in time to experience its Black Hills Expedition. His name was “Americanized” to John Martin.

A Grateful Immigrant

A grateful immigrant, Martin served out a 30-year army career. He is said to have taken pride in his service and in the fact that his two sons both served honorably too. He admired Custer and even named a son for him. Army lawyer Col. William Graham noted Martin donned his old uniform for years and never missed a chance to “honor the Stars and Stripes.”

Martin retired to New York City in 19004 and worked as a subway ticket agent for years, dying in 1922. His long and productive life were made possible because he had been designated for orderly duty. They were ensured when Custer detached him with a classic dispatch at the Little Bighorn.