Interesing Sale of Custeriana

[semperfi71]

Custer's 'Last Flag' sold for $2.2 million - Yahoo! News

I do wish folks would quit bashing Custer for his escapades towards the Indians. He was doing a job many others were doing, regardless if it was right or wrong. I.E. he was following orders.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Bullseye

 

[357larry]

He was nothing more than a mass murderer with government blessings. Just like everybody else who was associated with the 7th Cavalry in those days.

 

[bgrafsr]

From what I understand, he was an arrogant, egotistical jerk who wanted fame & glory, and because of that he got all his men massacred. Just another Army officer who could have cared less about his men. I have no respect for him whatsoever.

 

[rgitz]

I have done a fair amount of reading about George Custer over my lifetime and am by no means an expert. This mild obsession took me to the battlefield twice.
From what I gather he was a brilliant calvary officier in the Civil War. He wasn't a very nice person, nor a very well liked officier. I've often thought that being engaged in killing or imprisoning an entire ethnic population would sour anyone. Libby actually wanted him to leave the army and run for President. The tactics used by our army in exercising genocide to "win the west" I will leave to someone smarter than I to comment on.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I have done a fair amount of reading about George Custer over my lifetime and am by no means an expert. This mild obsession took me to the battlefield twice.
From what I gather he was a brilliant calvary officier in the Civil War. He wasn't a very nice person, nor a very well liked officier. I've often thought that being engaged in killing or imprisoning an entire ethnic population would sour anyone. Libby actually wanted him to leave the army and run for President. The tactics used by our army in exercising genocide to "win the west" I will leave to someone smarter than I to comment on.

He made his mark during the Civil War for being fearless. Later that could be interpretted as reckless. Like you I read a lot about him and come to the conclusion he was considered a egotistcal jerk by those in the military but kind of charming in social circles. At the Little Big Horn he brings indian scouts along and then distrusts their advice. He splits up his men and even after realizing Reno is getting overwelmed (which he saw with his own eyes at one point) doesn't go to assist his retreat but goes to the other end of the camp. But all this are probably moot points based on the size of the camp.
I didn't open that link but didn't his flag go for 2.2 Million. That actually sounds pretty low for such an item.

 

[J.P.60]

I.E. he was following orders.

It was his refusal to follow orders that got the 7th wiped out.

 

[Faulkner]

It's interesting that we judge the man and the times using 21 century lodgic and morals.

Makes me wonder what people of 19th century would think of us today . . . "Don't ask, don't tell" as a policy in the military; trillions of dollars in dept; open borders with millions of illegal aliens drawing social/financial support paid for by the citizens; an unqualified man in the White House, who many are not convinced he is even an American citizen. I'm not sure we would fare very well in their eyes.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

It's interesting that we judge the man and the times using 21 century lodgic and morals.

Makes me wonder what people of 19th century would think of us today . . . "Don't ask, don't tell" as a policy in the military; trillions of dollars in dept; open borders with millions of illegal aliens drawing social/financial support paid for by the citizens; an unqualified man in the White House, who many are not convinced he is even an American citizen. I'm not sure we would fare very well in their eyes.

To the American Indians of the 19th century, I suspect we were considered to be the "illegal aliens".

 

[Faulkner]

To the American Indians of the 19th century, I suspect we were considered to be the "illegal aliens".

Then we should learn from what they were not able to do . . . kick the invaders out. Otherwise, we'll end up loosing our country just like the American Indians did.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Then we should learn from what they were not able to do . . . kick the invaders out. Otherwise, we'll end up loosing our country just like the American Indians did.

Bullseye

 

[semperfi71]

Faulkner, dead on.

Bullseye 2620, I love it!

For those of you who think Custer was hated by his men, disobeyed orders at the Bighorn, was "terribly" outnumbered, was defeated by too many repeating rifles, should have had Spencers, should have taken the gatling guns, was a murderer or "genocidist", wanted to run for president, etc., etc.

I respectfully suggest that you just haven't studied the full spectrum of American Western history [not just "Custer stories"] and are just repeating poorly researched anecdotes.

One of the few truths to a number of "Custer biographies/historys" is that fact that he had a large ego and a huge passion for enjoying life to the fullest. But that is NOT what caused his demise at Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass.

 

[357larry]

semperfi71,
I find it curious that you seem to want to defend the bum. You say he was just following orders. So what!

True greatness comes about when an individual is willing to stand up for what is right and just and is willing to fight to correct that which is wrong. Custer possessed none of these attributes. He truly was nothing more than a big self-centered bum.

 

[G-Mac]

I heard that Custer wore Arrow shirts....

 

[semperfi71]

357larry,

Using your logic ALL of the officers (and enlisted men) in the Indian Wars were guilty of not "doing the right thing" or are just as guilty as Custer of committing "crimes".

You must remember that in 1876 there was not much sympathy towards the "ideals" some people aspire to today. And that was on either side, United States or Indian cultures.

i do not "defend" Custer, I study history, if the truth is detrimental to the actual incidents I won't shy away from it. If it is defensible of the same I will accept it.

 

[galena]

It is frigging amazing that so many who were not there and have only the revisionist leftists hisoriical articles on which to basis their opinion are such experts. It was a different time with different national priorities. Having spent 22 years in active military service, you go where you are sent, and you do what you are told to do!!!! Are there senior officers with egos, does the bear poop in the woods? Custer served in a different time in American history. Do not denegrate the man by applying modern standards to what he did. To do so only lowers you to the level of revisionist historians who are somewhere on the higherarchy of human status just above lawyers and realestate agents. I get equally upset at the term 'native americans' there is not such thing prior to 1776. The proper term should be 'pre-Columbian aboriginies'.

It was a different time in history. If one is too stupid to recognise that fact, get over it.

Keep shootin'

 

[Bullseye 2620]

I get equally upset at the term 'native americans' there is not such thing prior to 1776. The proper term should be 'pre-Columbian aboriginies'.

My Sioux family in South Dakotah laughed their rear ends off when I called them with this one. Actually, we like "American Indian" because everyone knows what it means.


Bullseye

 

[kewpie]

My Sioux family in South Dakotah laughed their rear ends off when I called them with this one. Actually, we like "American Indian" because everyone knows what it means.

I side with you, esp re: the laughable aspect. (And I side with the other true Native Americans that were lied-to, butchered and driven onto reservations in spite of their respect for life, nature and the wilderness.)

(All in the name of 'Manifest Destiny?' And what the h3ll is that and invented by whom?)

The Seneca in N central PA had a treaty signed by (IIRC) George Washington and the US broke it in the late 50's by claiming the Cornplanter Reservation in Kinzua, PA and flooding it to create a reservoir for 'recreation.' The Indians were kicked north into new York state. Maybe our 'manifest destiny' (manifested by whom?) to reach the west coast was accomplished so well that now the tidal wave we created is washing back over us.

I too have read much about Custer, esp living not far from his stomping grounds in Monroe, Michigan. I too think he was an egotistical ass anxious to prove how the 'better equipped' US Army could whip anybody they chose to whip. He got what he deserved IMO. The bad thing is that he didn't 'get it' sooner.

 

[pilgrim6a]

Army Officers of that time were much like directors.
Any director will tell you. You are only as good as your last show.
Custer's last show didn't end well. Bad directing.

 

[357larry]

Bullseye 2620,
Myself being Prairie Band Potawatomi, I prefer First Americans.

To the others,
I have in the past studied the hisory of this period which led me to materials in the national archives. My opinions are based on these materials and not some leftist views as someone has suggested.

I have the utmost respect for those in our military. But if someone spent 22 years of their life having to be told when to sleep, when to eat, when to take a crap, then I have to wonder if he has the ability to have an original thought.

No disrespect to our military intended, I have some close relatives who are there now, and many who have been there in the past.