Interesting how evidence is pieced together to reconstruct the battle. And to establish what actually happened contrary to portrayals in popular culture.



"Archaeological evidence and reassessment of Indian testimony has led to a new interpretation of the battle. In the 1920s, battlefield investigators discovered hundreds of .45–70 shell cases along the ridge line, known today as Nye-Cartwright Ridge, between South Medicine Tail Coulee and the next drainage at North Medicine Tail (also known as Deep Coulee). Some historians believe Custer divided his detachment into two (and possibly three) battalions, retaining personal command of one while presumably delegating Captain George W. Yates to command the second."

"In defense of Custer, some historians claim that some of the Indians were armed with repeating Spencer, Winchester and Henry rifles, while the 7th Cavalry carried single-shot Springfield Model 1873 carbines, caliber .45–70. These rifles had a slower rate of fire than the repeating rifles and tended to jam when overheated."

"Subsequent archaeological excavations from 1983 to present have discovered evidence that cast additional light on the issue of jammed weapons. Fox notes that only 3.4% of .45/55-caliber Springfield cartridge cases from the Custer battlefield and 2.7% of cases from the Reno-Benteen field exhibit any indication they were pried from jammed weapons. These findings suggest accounts of jammed carbines were the result of misconception or a post-battle myth."
http://www.self.gutenberg.org/..._the_little_big_horn

Among the various items I have read concerning the battle that I found interesting, whether they are factual or not, was that the ammunition being used in the Trapdoor rifles was loaded in copper cases, not brass, and as the rifle barrels heated up the copper cases expanded to the point that when the breech mechanism was opened, it tore the riom off the cases.

Another reported issue was that Custer was on the board that determined which rifles the miliotary would be issued and supported the single shot trapdoor over the Spencer Repeater.

The Spencer had a fairly proven track record during the Civil War.

Other little tidbits that have been circulated, incvlude that he had brought the Regimental Band, but left them at the boat landing, and supposedly also had access to two Hotchkiss or Gatling repeaters and refused to take them because he felt they would slow his movements into the area.

Considering the topic, I was interested to hear that a lock of Custer's hair sold for $12,500 at the Heritage June 9 auction. No telling what a dick with an arrow in it would have brought.

Can't say I saw anything like that among the exhibits or in the memorabilia shop.

Lock had a pretty good provenance. Supposedly was requested by wife after Custer's camp was overrun in battle of Trevilian in Virginia in Civil War. Lock was found in estate and given to collector who eventually sold it and many other Custer items in said auction, totaling 261 Custer and Little Bighorn related items.

Totally unrelated, but interesting, when I was dealing coins and other ephemera back in 80s and early 90s, a collector of mine was offered and declined what was supposedly Napoleon Bonaparte's penis. We were not supplied with a believable provenance and, since there was no shortage of penis's in world, we passed. That was long before DNA was as common as it is today, should be easy to find out if real on today'market by comparing it to one of the many locks of hair surviving. Oh well, who needs another dick anyway?

Unbelievable how many "artifacts" from the saints that the Catholic church claimed were the real McCoy. Really though,one was dealing with a bottom level of the peasant mentality.Damn good reason not to let folks learn how to read.

Custers battlefield and Montana is something I have always wanted to see. The early 1870s was the epic center (as I see it) of real untamed West.

I read about a guy who rode the custers trail from Fort Abraham Lincoln to Little big Horn on horse . Interesting! .

I have two books about the Custers thing...The Custers Myth by W. A Graham and Greasy Grass by Thomas B. Marquis.

W.A Graham met in his early carrier soldiers who rode with Custer to the Little big Horn in Renos and Benteens outfits when Custer divided the 7th cavalry. His book also deal with the military Court trials in the aftermath..

Thomas B. Marquis book is an interview with a indian Wooden Leg who was in direct combat with Custers men.

Both books recommended.

quote:

Custers battlefield and Montana is something I have always wanted to see. The early 1870s was the epic center (as I see it) of real untamed West.

FWIW, Custer's battlefield "talks" a helluva more interesting than it really is IMO. OTOH one can hardly say enough about Montana......a great place to visit and stay awhile. Glacier Nat. Park is spectacular.

Jens,

It’s quite interesting you know so much about it.

Yes, Montana is beautiful. I had always wanted to go after seeing many movies (Lonesome Dove, Legends of the Fall, A River Runs Though It), that a buddy and I drove up there fees days after finishing high school. I think it was damn near 24 hours of driving, but 8 hours or so just to leave Texas.

Scenic landscapes in nearby Wyoming as well that we took the time to explore during the motorcycle tour last month. Even though I've been there a number of times over the years Yellowstone National Park is still totally awesome!

Cody Wyoming


Near Greybull Wyoming


Yellowstone Lake


Near East Entrance of Yellowstone Park

If I could live in another time, the last half of the 1800s would be my pick. The Civil War, the American West, India, Queen Victoria's Great Britain. Interesting times.

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
Jens,

It’s quite interesting you know so much about it.

Yes, Montana is beautiful. I had always wanted to go after seeing many movies (Lonesome Dove, Legends of the Fall, A River Runs Though It), that a buddy and I drove up there fees days after finishing high school. I think it was damn near 24 hours of driving, but 8 hours or so just to leave Texas.

I spoke to a guy from up there many years ago who owned some land where the Rosebud river runs through. I forgot the guys name. It was the owner of Dakota Rifles back then who knew him and gave me the contact. I wanted to do some hunting up there and listen to the winds.
The entire american history has so many facets to it that if I could live over again I want to experience them all.

"There is not enough indians in the world to defeat the 7th cavalry"

Quote: George Armstrong Custer.

Custer was known to be quite the enthusiastic hunter. Shown here with a big Bear kill. Custer wounded the Bear and it was finished off by his favored Arikara Scout Bloody Knife so the story goes. By some accounts Bloody Knife had repeatedly warned Custer days before the Battle of the Little Bighorn there were too many Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne to fight. But the warnings went unheeded and the rest is history.

https://www.fieldandstream.com.../custer-goes-hunting

What was the caliber of the Remington Custer used?..44/77 or .50US..Just wondering.

"Overall, the soldiers were pleased with their weapons. Lieutenant James Calhoun of Company L wrote in his diary on July 1, 1874: ‘The new Springfield arms and ammunition were issued to the command today. They seem to give great satisfaction.’ Although most of the men drew the standard-issue weapons, it was their prerogative to purchase their own arms. George Custer carried a Remington .50-caliber sporting rifle with octagonal barrel and two revolvers that were not standard issue–possibly Webley British Bulldog, double-action, white-handled revolvers. Captain Thomas A. French of Company M carried a .50-caliber Springfield that his men called ‘Long Tom.’ Sergeant John Ryan, also of Company M, used a .45-caliber, 15-pound Sharps telescopic rifle, specially made for him. Private Henry A. Bailey of Company I had a preference for a Dexter Smith, breechloading, single-barreled shotgun."

http://www.historynet.com/batt...-deciding-factor.htm

Thanks..