area later referred to as "the morass". Just as Benteen troops were leaving the morass, Lt McDougall came up with the pack train. The pack train mules had not had water since the evening before and when they smelled water in the boggy area of Sundance Creek they bolted and became mired for a time in "the morass". After a delay of about 20 minutes McDougall extracted the mules of his pack train from the morass on Sun Dance Creek, and was proceeding toward the Little Bighorn when he heard volleys, "a dull sound" as he later remembered, that resonated through the hills. As remembered by McDougall and others this was the beginnings of Custer's battle. Beenteen was continuing on toward the Little Bighorn when he encountered Sergeant Kanipe, who paused only briefly, as Custer after his first glimpse of the village had directed Kanipe back to contact Captain McDougall personally and order him to bring up the pack train and the extra ammunition with all speed. Kanipe continued on and met McDougall about 4 miles further down Sundance Creek from the morass. The pack train stopped again to allow the strung out mules to close ranks, and then resumed the trail in better order, but "still at little better than a walk". Benteen then encountered the Custer's second messenger, Trumpeter John Martin with the written order for Benteen himself, to "Come on, Big Village, Be Quick, bring packs". After a conference with his officers, Benteen pocketed this message and ordered Martin to find McDougall and tell him of the order. Martin complied and found McDougall a short distance behind Benteen. He was riding out in front of the pack train, The pack train at this point was "pretty well together. Trumpeter said, "Capt. Benteen sent his compliments and wanted him to hurry up the packs and not to get too far behind, and to keep them well closed up." McDougall then acted to close up with Benteen, moving more quickly at a trot down Sun Dance Creek and after a delay arrived at Reno's position on the bluffs. At Reno Hill, Reno and Benteen conferred, and after a delay of about 20 minutes Reno and Benteen sent Lt. Hare on a run back to McDougall and the pack train to hurry up the ammunition. Packers Churchill and Mann cut out two of these animals and drove them ahead of