The Battle of the Little Bighorn (aka, "Custer's Last Stand") will be commemorated in Crow Agency, Montana, this weekend. The site of senseless human slaughter is a haunting place everyone should see.
Hmm, it seems you are not a Custer fan. I'm a Betsy Custer fan. She believed in and loved her husband till her last breath.
Boots and Saddles (1885) — A memoir recounting her life with Custer on the frontier, offering a personal and affectionate portrait of him Nebraska Press.
Following the Guidon (1890) — Another account of her experiences with Custer, emphasizing his leadership and personal qualities.
Tenting on the Plains (1893) — A book describing life in the field with Custer, including his campaigns in Kansas and Texas.
Custer made a grave error, but no one can say he wasn't a remarkable figure in history. Betsy Custer's unrelenting quest to prove her husband a gallant hero has largely gone unnoticed. In their case, I feel behind that once great man, George A. Custer, was a great woman, his wife Betsy.
In reference to Steinbeck, I read all is books in my 20s and found Travels with Charlie to be a favorite. Always willing to listen to another point of view, I look forward to reading the "untruths" you claim.
Thanks much. I’ll trust your judgment regarding Betsy and George. George may have been a much better husband than a general. It just struck me when I was at the battle site that a lot of people died there for nothing, which in warfare is nothing new. Sounds like Betsy would be another eligible subject for Anna Funder, an excellent writer who gave us ‘Stasiland’ about 25 years ago and “Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life” more recently. Mrs. Orwell is one of what apparently is a long list of bright or talented wives throughout history who were vitally important to the success of famous men but who were written out of the men’s stories or barely mentioned. Mrs. Louis Armstrong and the first Mrs. John Steinbeck, for example, could join Mrs. O. If you want a hint of what you’d be in store for if you pursue my ‘expose’ ‘Dogging Steinbeck,’ there’s a DS department on my substack.
I visited in 1998, early October, and the only person there. It was peaceful. And also very easy to see how 100 Lakota-Cheyenne warriors could have stayed hidden as they approached. Hollywood smoothed out the undulating ground.
I have been there twice, and I totally agree that The Little Bighorn is otherworldly. I also experienced that feeling in Shanksville, PA at the Flight 93 memorial.
There is just something — something spiritual, if you will.
While in the neighborhood, everyone should experience (the totally inappropriately designated) Devil’s Tower. Also, a wonder of a different kind.
Most forget that General (Colonel) George A. Custer was a very brave and able officer who sympathize with native Americans. He would have received good intelligence on the opposition if his Crow scouts had arrived before his men were surrounded! Given that Major Reno and Captain Benteen fought off superior numbers before relief is amazing. So Gen Custer, Medal of Honor winner makes one fatal error due to no battlefield intelligence and is remembered for that error and not his heroic career! By the way, Our Fellow American Native Citizens are the bravest and heroic Americans All.
Remember how many times Custer divided his command en route to his "objective", without the knowledge to the size of his enemy. A foolhardy move that led to his and his troops demise.
The current state of the battlefield is a far cry from what it was in the 70’s and 80’s. If you want some more history that should really move you, check out the Chief Joseph battlefield in the Big Hole and the end of the Nez Perce trail NE of Chinook. The Fetterman massacre is another good visit. IMO, the Custer/Little Big Horn is worth about 15 minutes.
Hmm, it seems you are not a Custer fan. I'm a Betsy Custer fan. She believed in and loved her husband till her last breath.
Boots and Saddles (1885) — A memoir recounting her life with Custer on the frontier, offering a personal and affectionate portrait of him Nebraska Press.
Following the Guidon (1890) — Another account of her experiences with Custer, emphasizing his leadership and personal qualities.
Tenting on the Plains (1893) — A book describing life in the field with Custer, including his campaigns in Kansas and Texas.
Custer made a grave error, but no one can say he wasn't a remarkable figure in history. Betsy Custer's unrelenting quest to prove her husband a gallant hero has largely gone unnoticed. In their case, I feel behind that once great man, George A. Custer, was a great woman, his wife Betsy.
In reference to Steinbeck, I read all is books in my 20s and found Travels with Charlie to be a favorite. Always willing to listen to another point of view, I look forward to reading the "untruths" you claim.
Thanks much. I’ll trust your judgment regarding Betsy and George. George may have been a much better husband than a general. It just struck me when I was at the battle site that a lot of people died there for nothing, which in warfare is nothing new. Sounds like Betsy would be another eligible subject for Anna Funder, an excellent writer who gave us ‘Stasiland’ about 25 years ago and “Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life” more recently. Mrs. Orwell is one of what apparently is a long list of bright or talented wives throughout history who were vitally important to the success of famous men but who were written out of the men’s stories or barely mentioned. Mrs. Louis Armstrong and the first Mrs. John Steinbeck, for example, could join Mrs. O. If you want a hint of what you’d be in store for if you pursue my ‘expose’ ‘Dogging Steinbeck,’ there’s a DS department on my substack.
PS Don't forget you are a “paleface!”
Don't forget George Custer won the MoH in the Civil War etc.
Thank you for bringing up other wives of notable men. I will follow up.
I visited in 1998, early October, and the only person there. It was peaceful. And also very easy to see how 100 Lakota-Cheyenne warriors could have stayed hidden as they approached. Hollywood smoothed out the undulating ground.
Yes, possible to hide an army behind those rolling hills and by gosh they did.
I have been there twice, and I totally agree that The Little Bighorn is otherworldly. I also experienced that feeling in Shanksville, PA at the Flight 93 memorial.
There is just something — something spiritual, if you will.
While in the neighborhood, everyone should experience (the totally inappropriately designated) Devil’s Tower. Also, a wonder of a different kind.
Most forget that General (Colonel) George A. Custer was a very brave and able officer who sympathize with native Americans. He would have received good intelligence on the opposition if his Crow scouts had arrived before his men were surrounded! Given that Major Reno and Captain Benteen fought off superior numbers before relief is amazing. So Gen Custer, Medal of Honor winner makes one fatal error due to no battlefield intelligence and is remembered for that error and not his heroic career! By the way, Our Fellow American Native Citizens are the bravest and heroic Americans All.
Remember how many times Custer divided his command en route to his "objective", without the knowledge to the size of his enemy. A foolhardy move that led to his and his troops demise.
Only 100 Lakota Cheyenne Warriors? More like 1500 to 2000 thousand is the current estimate.
No. Check your numbers. Deaths were about 100, but number is not clear. 1500-2000 is number of encamped Native Americans in the area
The current state of the battlefield is a far cry from what it was in the 70’s and 80’s. If you want some more history that should really move you, check out the Chief Joseph battlefield in the Big Hole and the end of the Nez Perce trail NE of Chinook. The Fetterman massacre is another good visit. IMO, the Custer/Little Big Horn is worth about 15 minutes.