By western author Nick Brumby

“There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry.” – Col. George Custer

Custer and his chief scout, Bloody Knife, consult a map of Sioux country on their first campaign together in 1873. Custer’s two Russian wolfhounds lay sprawled at his feet.

Bloody Knife was half Sioux and half Arikara. The Siouxs and Arikaras were enemies and would take any opportunity to kill each other.

Tribal warriors became Army scouts because most tribes hated one another. The scouts were paid about $11.00 to $13.00 a month. Custer’s scouts called him “Yellow Hair”.

Three years later both Custer and Bloody Knife would fight at the Little Bighorn.

***

As a boy, Custer was accepted into West Point, but was less interested in school than he was in causing trouble. His room was a pigsty, he chucked snowballs at his classmates, and when he was discovered wearing a wig to disguise his long hair, they shaved his head.

According to reports. the night before graduation in 1861, while on duty, Custer found two cadets arguing and suggested that they fight out their differences. As punishment, he was forbidden from attending his own graduation ceremony. He graduated last in his class of 34 cadets.

He joined the Union Army once the Civil War started, with mixed reports. His behavior was described as “aggressive, gallant, reckless, and foolhardy.” Yet he was cited for “bravery under fire” when he boldly rode forth and transformed retreating soldiers into an orderly formation.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, his horse was literally shot out from under him. Undaunted, Custer found another horse and, during his final charge, shouted “Come on, you Wolverines!” as he raised his saber. The Confederates scattered.

After the War, Custer did not fare well out West. He was court-martialed for leaving part of his regiment in Kansas at Fort Wallace, without permission, to return to Fort Harker for supplies — and to see his beloved wife.

Ten other charges included forcing his exhausted men to march on “private business,” neglecting to pursue Native Americans or bury those already killed, and commanding his officers to shoot three deserters without trial. The men were seriously wounded, and one of them died after Custer denied him medical treatment.

***

So what is your opinion of Col. Custer – fearless but flawed commander, misunderstood tactician, or overrated dandy?

About Nick Brumby

I like a good story. And of all stories, I love westerns the most.

As a kid, I spent far too many afternoons re-watching Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns, picking up ‘Shane’ for just one more read, or saddling up beside Ben Cartwright when ‘Bonanza’ was on TV each afternoon.

I’m a former journalist and I love horses, dogs, and the occasional bourbon whiskey. I live with my wife, daughter and our ever-slumbering hound in a 1800’s-era gold mining town – our house is right on top of the last working gold mine in the area. There may not be much gold left, but there’s history wherever you look.

I hope you enjoy my westerns as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Happy trails,

Nick