Sources
1. Charles Kuhlman, Did Custer Disobey Orders, (Harrisburg: Stackpole, 1957), 3.
2. Robert M. Utler, Custer and the Great Controversy, (Los Angeles: Westenlore,1962), 92.
3. Richard G. Hardorff, Indian Views of the Custer Fight, (Spokane: Clark, 2004), 186.
4. Hardorff, 47.
5. Hardorff, 47.
6. Hardorff, 48.
7. Hardorff, 48.
8. Hardorff, 70.
9. William O. Taylor, With Custer on the Little Bighorn, (New York: Viking, 1996), 50.
10. Taylor, 50.
11. Hardorff, 66.
12. Hardorff, 27.
13. Hardorff, 27.
14. Hardorff, 74.
15. Hardorff, 27.
16. Hardorff, 76.
17. Hardorff, 76.
18. Hardorff, 49.
19. Hardorff, 54.
20. Hardorff, 54.
21. Hardorff, 105.
22. Hardorff, 105.
23. Hardorff, 105.
24. Hardorff, 105.
25. Paul Stekler and James Welsh, Killing Custer, (New York: Norton, 1994), 184.
26. Stekler and Welsh, 184.
27. Stekler and Welsh, 187.
28. Stekler and Welsh, 186.
29. Hardorff, 186.
30. Hardorff, 189.
31. Hardorff, 66.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A White Man in Sheep's Clothing
July 27th, 1876
I am confounded by my abrupt departure from my accustomed reality. The time travel piece that sent me from 2009 to 1876 has malfunctioned. My initial arrival point was with the 7th Cavalry near the Little Big Horn River in Montana. I was a private in the Army and was able to blend in very effectively due to my affinity for alcohol. The General had been ordered to “keep his main force further south (of Little Big Horn) as to prevent the Indians from slipping in between himself and the mountains.(1) He did not listen and most of our regiment was wiped out by the Indians and General Custer died beside me. Unbelievably, I am once again in the midst of the battle after having survived my first foray into Little Big Horn.
For some reason, Little Big Horn looks different this time around. As I gather myself, there are cavalry coming towards me. Oh my goodness, I have been transformed into a member of the Sioux tribe and General Custer is coming right towards me! Unfortunately for him, my position was in relative proximity to the trap that had been made for General Custer and his men. He was also unaware that Major Reno had been defeated. Crazy Horse had stated that “Reno’s assault on the upper end of the village was a surprise, and created such consternation that the women flocked to the lower end.” (2) According to White Bull, Brave Wolf, and Hump, the Reno fight began at 11am.(3) Reno began coming down the valley of the small creek near the upper end of the village. (4) His forces were driven back towards the woods. Some of his men attempted to retreat on their own accord and made a break for the river. (5) Only 5 of the 15 that attempted to do so survived. (6) The chiefs I spoke to believe that Major Reno made a grave mistake during their retreat. Instead of staying in the fortified woods, they all tried to re-cross the river. The woods “were a good place for defense, with plenty of water and trees, and he ought to have remained.” (7) Crow King also stated, “if Reno had held out until Custer came and then fought as Custer did, that they would have whipped the Indians. The Indians would then have been compelled to divide to protect their women and children.” (8) Reno moved his position to the upper bluffs in order for them to provide some sort of barricade against the Indians. “Two good sized ridges sloping from the steep bluffs that overhung the river back toward the east formed the depression that afforded some shelter for our horses and wounded.” (9) The Cavalry lay as close as they could to the ground hoping that night would come swiftly. (10) The chiefs collectively decided that these men had endured enough. We decided to be merciful to them and let them go. (11)
As I watched Custer gallop towards us, my cowardly nature forced me to retreat to a bluff overlooking the battle field. From this position, I could view the entire battle. Custer had initially crossed the river but was unable to proceed due to a steep bank which impeded him. (12) This obstruction forced Custer to realize that he was in the middle of a dire predicament. His cavalry turned around and were forced into a brutal hand to hand combat with the Indians. (13) When I spoke with Red Horse who was among the Indians who battled Custer, he stated that they were saying, “Sioux, pity us, take us prisoners.” (14) Most of the living were dragged from their horses and killed. (15) A handful managed to power their way through the Indian lines wherein they stood off against another line of Indians. Red Horse told me that “they charged and easily surrounded the soldiers.” (16) They had killed all of the Custer’s army, but had lost 36 of their own and 160 were wounded. (17) The Indians did not allow for any prisoners or wounded to survive. (18) Their final victim was the trumpeter, who could no longer play the 7th Cavalry’s anthem, Garryowen.
Little Knife approached me as the battle was beginning to diminish. He had just met my prior commander General Custer! This boy of 15 years of age claimed to have been the killer of General Custer! His brother had been just shot by one of the soldiers, so he “seized his brother’s gun and shot Custer dead! (19) After he told me this, I went down to the body of “Long Hair” and viewed my former leader. Little Knife came with me and carried a coup stick with a notch in it that signified his destruction of one of the best Indian fighters the Sioux had ever known. (20)
Later on in life, Yellow Nose also claimed to have killed General Custer. He stated that he saw a man so striking and gallant that he decided to kill him. (21) The General shot at him, but missed and struck his horse. (22) Yellow Nose charged and inserted his saber into the back of his head. (23) This was a thoroughly convincing story and I did not know what to do about my now conflicted opinions. The evidence did seem to contradict the reports of the injuries of General Custer. He did not have a saber wound to the head, but only a bullet wound in the temple. (24) This attempt to deceive me has left me a bit wary of my tribes’ stories. From now on, they might need to be listened to with a grain of salt.
July 28th, 1876
The battle had finally come to an end. A few of Reno’s men remained in their stronghold on the upper bluffs. We were now in mourning, so we did not desire to fight anymore. As night came, the tribe beat their drums and the wailing of our women filled the air. (25) The mourners cut their hair off and gashed their legs. (26) The battle ended the next day with the sight of reinforcements. General Terry and Gibbon were arriving from North of the Little Big Horn. (27) With this information, the chiefs decided it was best to move their wounded and elderly to safer harbors. (28)
As we rode away, I listened in astonishment to the praise that was bestowed upon the 7th Cavalry and Custer. Eagle Bear had watched the young men scalp and mutilate many fallen cavalry men. (29) They were ordered not to touch General Custer’s body due to his exemplary leadership. “He was the chief and our people had great respect of the white man’s chief.” (30) Low Dog said “no white man or Indian ever fought as bravely as Custer and his men.” (31) Even after enduring an awful, bloody, and gory battle, they were able to recognize the huge amounts of courage and bravery that these soldiers must have had. This language speaks volumes about the Indian culture. Since their culture had been built upon battles against other tribes, they were not hesitant to bestow acknowledgement of battle prowess among others.
After this unbelievable episode in American history, I am worried as to what destination my malfunctioning time piece might send me next! Hopefully, I can find some plutonium to fix the flux capacitor and make my way back to 2009.
I am confounded by my abrupt departure from my accustomed reality. The time travel piece that sent me from 2009 to 1876 has malfunctioned. My initial arrival point was with the 7th Cavalry near the Little Big Horn River in Montana. I was a private in the Army and was able to blend in very effectively due to my affinity for alcohol. The General had been ordered to “keep his main force further south (of Little Big Horn) as to prevent the Indians from slipping in between himself and the mountains.(1) He did not listen and most of our regiment was wiped out by the Indians and General Custer died beside me. Unbelievably, I am once again in the midst of the battle after having survived my first foray into Little Big Horn.
For some reason, Little Big Horn looks different this time around. As I gather myself, there are cavalry coming towards me. Oh my goodness, I have been transformed into a member of the Sioux tribe and General Custer is coming right towards me! Unfortunately for him, my position was in relative proximity to the trap that had been made for General Custer and his men. He was also unaware that Major Reno had been defeated. Crazy Horse had stated that “Reno’s assault on the upper end of the village was a surprise, and created such consternation that the women flocked to the lower end.” (2) According to White Bull, Brave Wolf, and Hump, the Reno fight began at 11am.(3) Reno began coming down the valley of the small creek near the upper end of the village. (4) His forces were driven back towards the woods. Some of his men attempted to retreat on their own accord and made a break for the river. (5) Only 5 of the 15 that attempted to do so survived. (6) The chiefs I spoke to believe that Major Reno made a grave mistake during their retreat. Instead of staying in the fortified woods, they all tried to re-cross the river. The woods “were a good place for defense, with plenty of water and trees, and he ought to have remained.” (7) Crow King also stated, “if Reno had held out until Custer came and then fought as Custer did, that they would have whipped the Indians. The Indians would then have been compelled to divide to protect their women and children.” (8) Reno moved his position to the upper bluffs in order for them to provide some sort of barricade against the Indians. “Two good sized ridges sloping from the steep bluffs that overhung the river back toward the east formed the depression that afforded some shelter for our horses and wounded.” (9) The Cavalry lay as close as they could to the ground hoping that night would come swiftly. (10) The chiefs collectively decided that these men had endured enough. We decided to be merciful to them and let them go. (11)
As I watched Custer gallop towards us, my cowardly nature forced me to retreat to a bluff overlooking the battle field. From this position, I could view the entire battle. Custer had initially crossed the river but was unable to proceed due to a steep bank which impeded him. (12) This obstruction forced Custer to realize that he was in the middle of a dire predicament. His cavalry turned around and were forced into a brutal hand to hand combat with the Indians. (13) When I spoke with Red Horse who was among the Indians who battled Custer, he stated that they were saying, “Sioux, pity us, take us prisoners.” (14) Most of the living were dragged from their horses and killed. (15) A handful managed to power their way through the Indian lines wherein they stood off against another line of Indians. Red Horse told me that “they charged and easily surrounded the soldiers.” (16) They had killed all of the Custer’s army, but had lost 36 of their own and 160 were wounded. (17) The Indians did not allow for any prisoners or wounded to survive. (18) Their final victim was the trumpeter, who could no longer play the 7th Cavalry’s anthem, Garryowen.
Little Knife approached me as the battle was beginning to diminish. He had just met my prior commander General Custer! This boy of 15 years of age claimed to have been the killer of General Custer! His brother had been just shot by one of the soldiers, so he “seized his brother’s gun and shot Custer dead! (19) After he told me this, I went down to the body of “Long Hair” and viewed my former leader. Little Knife came with me and carried a coup stick with a notch in it that signified his destruction of one of the best Indian fighters the Sioux had ever known. (20)
Later on in life, Yellow Nose also claimed to have killed General Custer. He stated that he saw a man so striking and gallant that he decided to kill him. (21) The General shot at him, but missed and struck his horse. (22) Yellow Nose charged and inserted his saber into the back of his head. (23) This was a thoroughly convincing story and I did not know what to do about my now conflicted opinions. The evidence did seem to contradict the reports of the injuries of General Custer. He did not have a saber wound to the head, but only a bullet wound in the temple. (24) This attempt to deceive me has left me a bit wary of my tribes’ stories. From now on, they might need to be listened to with a grain of salt.
July 28th, 1876
The battle had finally come to an end. A few of Reno’s men remained in their stronghold on the upper bluffs. We were now in mourning, so we did not desire to fight anymore. As night came, the tribe beat their drums and the wailing of our women filled the air. (25) The mourners cut their hair off and gashed their legs. (26) The battle ended the next day with the sight of reinforcements. General Terry and Gibbon were arriving from North of the Little Big Horn. (27) With this information, the chiefs decided it was best to move their wounded and elderly to safer harbors. (28)
As we rode away, I listened in astonishment to the praise that was bestowed upon the 7th Cavalry and Custer. Eagle Bear had watched the young men scalp and mutilate many fallen cavalry men. (29) They were ordered not to touch General Custer’s body due to his exemplary leadership. “He was the chief and our people had great respect of the white man’s chief.” (30) Low Dog said “no white man or Indian ever fought as bravely as Custer and his men.” (31) Even after enduring an awful, bloody, and gory battle, they were able to recognize the huge amounts of courage and bravery that these soldiers must have had. This language speaks volumes about the Indian culture. Since their culture had been built upon battles against other tribes, they were not hesitant to bestow acknowledgement of battle prowess among others.
After this unbelievable episode in American history, I am worried as to what destination my malfunctioning time piece might send me next! Hopefully, I can find some plutonium to fix the flux capacitor and make my way back to 2009.
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