The Custer Controversy
What really happened at the Battle of the Little Big Horn has spawned countless books and opinions as to why General Custer attacked the Sioux and Cheyenne on June 22, 1876. The books and online articles that recount the facts, timeline, and who survived were written based on facts but are not all unbiased in perspective. Most of these writers want to prove that Custer was either a hero or a villain. From the perspective of the general’s men, they saw him as a fearless leader, one of the few who would ride out in front of the battle, while those on the political end interpreted the general’s actions as selfish and reckless. Custer’s last stand gave him immortal status at the price of not only his own life; but also those of his entire brigade involved due to a tactical blunder. Unfortunately, the magnitude of this “mistake” cannot be over-looked, but to negate what he accomplished in the Civil War and Indian Wars is the argument that continues to rage on. Was General Custer really an American hero or an over aggressive general who was looking for fame and glory?
George Armstrong Custer was born to Emanuel and Maria Custer in New Rumley, Ohio on December 5, 1839. Emanuel was a black-smith and farmer by trade. This allowed Custer to learn how to ride horses at a very young age. Custer would ride newly shoed horses around the shop while Emanuel made horseshoes. Custer got the nickname “Autie” as a young boy based off the way he pronounced his middle name, Armstrong. Custer attended school regularly and was known to be very smart. When Custer finished at McNeely Normal School, he accepted a school-teacher position in Cadiz, Ohio in 1856. Custer was enticed by the thought of a free college education and decid...
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...Hyslop, S. Eyewitness to the Civil War” The complete History from Secession to Reconstruction. Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society.
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Panzeri, Peter. 1995. Little Big Horn 1876: Custer's Last Stand. 8th Ed. New York, NY: Osprey Publishing.
The 7th Cavalry Regiment's destruction at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876 is the subject of over a century of debate. LTC George A. Custer failed to exercise four key responsibilities that were expected of him as the regiment’s commander. He failed to understand the problem and environment, visualize a feasible solution, clearly describe it to his subordinates, and effectively direct his forces. These four aspects of mission command are integral to the operations process and help Soldiers understand and execute their commander's intent. Custer's failure to properly fulfill his role in the operations process resulted in his death and a strategic defeat for the nation.
After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, Chief Crazy Horse led a resistance against General George Crook in 1876. After Crook’s defeat, Chief Crazy Horse had ...
There are many ways in which we can view the history of the American West. One view is the popular story of Cowboys and Indians. It is a grand story filled with adventure, excitement and gold. Another perspective is one of the Native Plains Indians and the rich histories that spanned thousands of years before white discovery and settlement. Elliot West’s book, Contested Plains: Indians, Goldseekers and the Rush to Colorado, offers a view into both of these worlds. West shows how the histories of both nations intertwine, relate and clash all while dealing with complex geological and environmental challenges. West argues that an understanding of the settling of the Great Plains must come from a deeper understanding, a more thorough knowledge of what came before the white settlers; “I came to believe that the dramatic, amusing, appalling, wondrous, despicable and heroic years of the mid-nineteenth century have to be seen to some degree in the context of the 120 centuries before them” .
Political. As an esteemed war hero during the Civil War, Custer was an icon who carried the support of the American people. With the people’s support our government could shift the nation’s progress westward for expansion. Custer had confined the Indians to the Black Hills reservation, and they had made it their home, then he discovered gold in the region. The government immediately wanted the land back in exchange...
...h and the French and Indians, but shows some of the ironic nature of this conflict: that due to kidnapping and tribal adoption, some Abenaki Indians were likely to have almost as many English ancestors as the frontiersmen they opposed. The English frontiersmen could be as "savage" as the Indians. Brumwell does very well dispelling the clichés and stereotypes that many have become accustomed to. He uses records of the Abenaki Indian oral tradition to give a voice to both sides. It is a great book from start to finish. This is a true history buffs companion and a great addition to any library. The book is as complex in its knowledge as it is simplistic and detailed in its imagery. As a result, this book can be read by both specialists and general readers alike and can be pared with almost any text giving light to the French and Indian War or the aftermath thereof.
Today Custer’s last stand is one of the most famous events in American History. Two Thousand Sioux Native Americans slaughtered General George Custer’s army of 600 men armed with guns. Crazy Horse was a very important leader in the Great Sioux War of 1876.
Kinevan, Marcos E. "Frontier cavlryman, Lieutenant John bigelow with the Buffalo Soldiers in Texas." Texas Western Press, 1998.
Harvey, Mark E., A Civil War in Wyoming: A Centennial Commemoration of the Johnson County War. M.A., American Studies Program, December 1992.
The Battle of Little Bighorn is one of the most, maybe even the most, controversial battle in American history. General George Armstrong Custer led his 210 troops into battle and never came out. Miscalculations, blunders, and personal glory led Custer not only to his death, but also being the most talked about soldier in this battle. But all the blame doesn’t just go on Custer’s shoulders; it also goes on Captain Frederick Benteen and Major Marcus Reno, who both fought in the battle. Both the Captain and the Major both made serious mistakes during the fight, most notable Major Marcus Reno being flat out drunk during the course of the battle. All of these factors have led The Battle of Little Bighorn to being the worst lost to any Plains Indian group in American history.
The journey of exploration to the western territories brought the white man many great things, but they did face some opposition. The US government made plans to explore the Black Hills, after hearing of the gold it contained. This was not an easy task. The Sioux, with strong force, were not giving up their sacred land easily. The only way to gain the territory of the Black Hills was to wage war against the Sioux. The Battle of the Little Big Horn was one battle that the US will never forget. General George Custer led an army of men to take out the Sioux, one of the battalions was completely wiped out including Custer. The Sioux were very strong, but US had a lot more power and technology. Why did we get massacred? This question has been a mystery to many people throughout the years. Sergeant Windolph, of Benteen’s cavalry, and John F. Finerty, from General Crooks cavalry, bring us some personal accounts and memories of this tragedy.
Slotkin, R. Regeneration Through Violence: The Mythology of the American Frontier 1600-1860. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1973.
“From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.” Every battle is over shadowed by Custer’s biggest mistake. Like the Battle of Canyon Creek. The Army chased the Nez Perce through Canyon Creek and through Cow Island. Shots were exchanged and the Army had to pull back to Cow Island.
Both the books The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson and Custer’s Fall by David Humphries Miller are books that show certain characters overconfidence and how it can sometimes lead to their demise either literally or in a social and reputational way. The characters George Custer, Cody Pritchard, and Jacob Pritchard are all fantastic signs of why this arrogant type of overconfidence can lead to many types of problems with themselves as person or as viewed by the community.
The first event is the battle of Little Big Horn. This event is called a battle because when the Native Americans and American Soldiers were at war both sides were armed and were organized. The reason for this conflict was gold, American men found gold in the black hills and told the NAtives to move to reservations, but the Indians wouldn't give up the hills and move to reservations this resulted in the battle of Little Big Horn. The American Soldiers lead by Colonel George Armstong Custer consisted of about 600 men. On the other side, the Native American camp consisted of about 2,000 Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. The Americans didn't plan for a gathering of this sized proportion. When Custer attacked his army was killed very easily and splitting them up weakened the army even more.