Custer's "Last Stand"

[Iggy]

Dr. DeWolf, the regimental surgeon, had the only Springfield rifle and crawled from Trooper to Trooper on Reno hill to clear jammed carbines with his ramrod.

this is incorrect. dr. james dewolf was killed while attempting to ascend the bluffs along with reno's troops during reno's retreat or "charge" across the river from the timber.

Yup, You are right. I remember seeing the grave marker of Dr. DeWolf down off the side of the hill at the Reno site.

It was Capt. Tom French.. French's troopers called his Springfield rifle " Long Tom."

 

[the ringo kid]

I've heard, or read somewhere that Custer was mortally wounded, or killed in the first few seconds of the battle. I'm not sure if this is true or not, can anyone confirm, or refute it?

Ive heard something like that before too.

 

[Beemer-mark]

The history of the base cause of the US Army's actions in the Wyoming and Montana areas has become a lot clearer to me with the publication of a great article in the Smithsonian Magazine's website. It clearly documents the duplicity of Pres. Grant in starting an unauthorized conflict with the Lakota over the ownership of the Blackhills area after substantial gold deposits were found. Here is the link; History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian

This article brought to my attention that the Lakota fought a legal battle over the illegal 'taking' of their reservation area called "The Blackhills" and were in fact awarded the sum of one billion dollars. The Tribe has refused to take the settlement, but would rather have the Blackhills returned to their ownership. .............

I haven't read that account yet, but yes the Siuox had a signed, sealed and delivered treaty signed by a previous President & Congress guaranteeing them the Black Hill's area.

Lessor known is that the US Army, including Custer, was originally sent into the Dakotas to drive out the gold hunters and trespassers on the recognized Native American Territory. It was only when the size of the gold strike became reconized that the US decided to ignore the treaty and protect the invaders.

 

[Ed Fowler]

Somewhere in this thread a writer recommended the book "Custer Legends" by Lawrence A Frost. I found a copy on Abe Books and am reading it now. It is a good read, different than many and the author did some research.

At the end of the Civil War Custer said "The war is over, now it belongs to the historians." No claim that he was the first to say it, but very true.

The author goes on to say that the wipe out of the 7th Calvary was the Pearl Harbor of the west. That it galvanized the rest of the US to action.

The book is well worth reading, I have learned a lot and can recommend it, I also want to thank the man who recommended it, tried to find the post but could not.

Thank You Sir!

 

[2tall79]

Custer wore Arrow shirts.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Custer wore Arrow shirts.

Actually, according to all reports I've read, Custer had two bullet holes and was NOT mutilated as were all the other bodies.

I have done much reading about this event including the above-referenced Smithsonian article. Yes, white gold seekers violated the treaty signed by some Sioux "chiefs". What is equally of note is that most Indians of the plains tribes were never obliged in their culture to obey orders from "chiefs". Sioux warriors were free to do what they pleased including breaking treaties. The chiefs signed treaties to get goodies...pure and simple. Both sides were guilty of bad faith...that's politics in a nutshell.