It does, doesn't it? The video was getting so long and I considered cutting that anecdote out to keep it a manageable length (longer videos tend to scare away viewers). But then I thought what you did, how it's a different take on Tom, and it's not a story I ever hear. So figured it was best to keep it in. Thanks so much for noticing!
I would of loved to had you for my history teacher in school. Kids would have paid attention and learned. Having a nice looking teacher would have been a bonus for us boys.
Ha ha! Thank you, Chuck! I think I'd be a terrible teacher! I would only want to teach what I liked! But if you can get me a job teaching Seventh Cavalry Studies, I'll take it!! 😉🤣🎉
@@SiobhanFallon7 I was a high school history teacher in Napa CA for a decade, a bit more. My curriculum was driven by our text books that we had. However I'd add to it when I saw fit and when I saw things left out. I was also amazed by how little my students knew about history when they entered my classroom! My students did very well. They never cut my class. I kid might cut all of his classes, but he'd show up for mine! I loved teaching. I taught history like it is a story, which it is, of course.
This episode has moved me like none other, such emotion it brings to me, I feel strongly now that I must take another trip back to Monroe soon and visit the historic sites, the Museum and my friend Steve Alexander. Thank you again for all U do, no one is better at it. :)
I’m a U.S. history teacher and I wish we could spend more than one class on the Indian wars. I love talking to the students about it. I even break out the dry erase markers and draw terrible maps.
I am Apache from a reservation in AZ. My ancestors were a mix of scouts and renegades. On my mom's side, one of my relatives won the Congressional Medal of Honor as a scout for the US Army in the late 1800s. On another side, I am descended from a renegade who was never captured. He was last seen on the reservation in the 1930s - the Apache Kid. I visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield in 2000. I drove up from Denver to visit my aunt and her children. I was invited to a HS graduation for a young cousin. When I got to Montana, I stopped at the historical site. I ran into awful bigotry. An older racist white man pointed to me while talking to his son, a child of about age 8, and said something like "They'll never do that again. Nowadays, we have war tanks." Out of concern for the child, I just walked away and didn't even look at them. I figured the child was innocent and didn't need to get in the middle of a scene of racism involving his bigoted dad and a modern Native American. In modern times, I have many relatives who served in the US Military. Many served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Iraq, and now Afghanistan. In HS, our Apache football players went to a football camp at Miramar Naval Base in San Diego. Many were infatuated with the naval jets. The film "Top Gun" had come out that summer and was very popular among teens on the reservations of AZ. A lot of Apaches had older relatives who served in the US Navy and USMC trained at San Diego. So, one of the Apaches joined the USMC. He served in a scouting unit for an LAV as a machine gunner - a modern Apache scout. He died during the first month of the Persian Gulf War. In WWII, there were Apaches who served in the South Pacific and the European front lines. The US Navy has a large historical document about Native American veterans of WWII. My grandfather could understand the Navajo Code Talkers. He talked to two of them on a ship near New Guinea. The Navajo Marines were tasked with hunting Japanese soldiers in tunnels. My grandfather later learned they were killed. His brother served at Iwo Jima and was a DI at Camp Pendleton after WWII. They ran into a lot of racism in bigoted rural towns of AZ back then like in the film "Billy Jack". The racism against Native Americans in those bigoted towns of the past usually has this pattern. Step 1: the Native American is a coward and white supremacy is invincible, so let's bully the Native American. Step 2: if the Native American is passive and does not react, then he is a coward and should be ashamed. Step 3: If the Native American stands up for himself, then he is a savage - too much of a violent recalcitrant to adapt to the ways of the far more civilized white man. So, the Little Bighorn Battle is often viewed under that racist perspective. If Crazy Horse and his warriors had fled to avoid contact, then Custer and much of the colonizers would have seen that as confirmation about the view that Native Americans are inferior cowards. But since Crazy Horse fought back and won the battle, then many labeled them as violent savages - recalcitrants who are too uncivilized and warlike. It's a dilemma with a no-win situation. If the Indians flee, they are cowards. But if they fight back and win, they are savages. Hence, the vitriol often results in false accounts of mutilation against warriors like Rain in the Face. The white racism of the 1800s was ridiculously stubborn. Much of modern research still seems to have that perspective. I'd like to point out we are US Citizens now. Native Americans are part of the modern US Military. The Little Bighorn Battle was a tragic conflict. But it's long in the past. General Crook was so impressed with the service of his Native American scouts that he wanted them to have the right to vote. Crook was far ahead of his time in promoting inclusion for his Native American soldiers. Crook served with my relative Chief Alchesay. Crook thought very highly of Chief Alchesay. I don't believe Crook himself would have agreed with the bigoted comments by that racist white man about war tanks since I am related to Alchesay from Whiteriver, AZ. The Little Bighorn Battle is often thought of as the worse defeat of the US Military against indigenous tribes. But it was not. The defeat of General St. Clair in 1791 was far worse. It might also be argued that the successful impediment of the encroachment of the Spanish Army into Central Texas by the Comanches and Kiowas was also on a similar scale of victory for indigenous tribes. The Spanish Army never made it that far into the Southern Plains because of the Comanches and Kiowas.
Please watch my videos of the Indian Scouts! I'll attach a link. Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and personal response. 🙏💕 I think Custer had a more nuanced view of Indians than he is given credit for. They thought the Indians would run not because they were cowards, but because that was what happened in the majority of fights with the tribes. Not out of cowardice, but they did not have an endless supply of warriors the way the Army had new recruits, and they fled in order to get their families out of danger. If you read the writings of Army officers at the time, you will find tremendous respect for their Indian foes and real fear in fighting them. I'm sure you know that mutilation of the dead was a historical accurate part of tribal war. War shirts had scalp locks, Cheyenne warriors made finger necklaces. I think of it as the extreme deterrent and warning to any invader, and a tactic every people used. Heads on stakes in the Middle Ages. Heck even public hangings at the time. It was a ruthless time and war is dark dirty work. Those whites in the Indian Wars were fighting each other just as savagely during the Civil War 10 to 20 years earlier-- burning farms and industry and every thing else. Both sides resort to whatever it takes to protect their families. We still do it today. 🤷🏼♀️
I'm actually appalled that anybody has that attitude toward anyone, today. We(meaning Whites and even some Black folk) have not been at war with the Indian since before I was born. And I am now 60. And to think, the whole tragic event, would not have even happened had not some folks coveted what was then in possession of the Sioux. But that is the story of mankind, to covet someone's possession. The Sioux took it from another tribe. I went to the battlefield in 1984. There was a small museum there at the time and some Indian women were out front selling their crafts(I bought my dad a very nice belt buckle from one).
Yep but Crook knew when to draw the line. He was against allowing Geronimo and his followers to return to their homeland because of the huge problems that would have caused.
@@31terikennedy Yes. The historical reality is that the majority of Apaches on the two main reservations of AZ did not approve of Geronimo. In my childhood, the Apache elders who remembered him generally did not see him as a hero. But that was for the bands specifically located on those two reservations. Over in Mescalero, NM, there was generally more reverence of his memory. The Apaches were never united. Hence, Crook used scouts from different groups to fight against another group which they did not get along with. Geronimo did not get along with most Apaches at San Carlos or Whiteriver according to the elders. The elders told me the only time Apaches united was to fight the Pima Indians.
Thank you again Siobhan for such an informative well narrated piece of history. Tom Custer, a true American hero, deserves this recognition of his last few years. I especially love your attention to the side stories and details that many of us may not be aware of....please keep them coming!!
Thank you for the history lesson on Tom Custer. It’s a story all to its self. Tom was a fearless and dedicated soldier and his faithfulness to his brother until the bitter endend. I’m looking forward to the next military and American Natives history presentation.
So glad to see this today. I was just at the Little Bighorn Battlefield at the beginning of the month and can’t stop thinking about the place since I left. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these exceptional videos!
Funny they shut down little round top. For a while to make it more easy to get too. I find this takes away from how that battlefield is viewed... @SiobhanFallon7
Congratulations on getting last part completed by the 25th! Tom was indeed a brave and unique person who deserves to be remembered. I must share with you a disappointing encounter I recently experienced. While giving a young teacher and her 5th grade class a tour of our cemetery while they put flags on the veterans graves . I pointed out some interesting ones including a young women who died in 1960 age 20 by the name of Kuester. I asked the teacher if she knew how it would be spelled after having been anglicized. She said she didn’t so I dropped hints. I finally told her and was shocked that a woman with a college degree not only never heard of the battle of LBH, she never even heard of Gen.Custer! What are they teaching the younger generation these days? It makes what you do extra important in keeping the memory of these hero’s alive. Keep up the good work!
That's a sad anecdote, but also great motivation for me! Thanks so much for sharing and for giving that tour and reminding the next generation of our proud fallen 🇺🇸
Thanks again for the detailed personal commentaries on the real history of individuals of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Been in that country many times and your input helps bring things to life!
Had my Custer Day yesterday as it was 25th. in Aus. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Watched parts of Tonka, They Died With Their Boots On and Son Of The Morning Star. Played soundtracks and read articles. Whatever ever he was, Saint or demon, George certainly has immortality… as has Thomas .. Stay safe 🥰🇦🇺🇺🇸
Powerful video. Your passion is very important. Tom sounds like he was good man. The entire Custer male line, nephew, Bro in Law etc. gone in an instant. Staggering to think about. This was deeply stirring. Thank You very much.
@mattlogsdon2962 yes!! Custer tried to jeep young Boston back with the pack train, and nephew Autie too. Goes to show that he may have expected a hard fight but also a win.
Excellent video and narrative Siobhan. You make all the individuals come to life like no other historian. As I had previously told you about my Lakota great great grandmother showing my father a ring she had taken from a soldier on the battlefield while stripping the dead. She died in 1948 at the age of 104. Thanks Again Siobhan!
This was another. Good video. Tom Custer has always struck me as being the guy but I would like to hang out with. Just a lot of fun to be around. As I have said, Elsewhere, I have looked into the life of Tom Custer fairly extensively. So there was little To surprise me here. What you have done very successfully is 2.Is to draw a picture of the humor involved in this somewhat Peculiar family. Well done as usual. Can't wait for the next.
@@SiobhanFallon7 I am impressed. However, I am sorry to say that I don't see well enough to actually appreciate the image. I'm aware that you some really great. Pictures. I only wish that I could see them.
Overjoyed and pleased we have not heard or seen the last of Ur most enlightening and I formative videos, thank U so very much. It's needless 2 say, I have never been more cogniscent of the 7th calvary and the Custer family history through Ur videos of all currently available by different authors. Ur presentations catches ones interest and imaginations immediately, I'm certain Ur pleasant voice and disposition adds 2 the easy listening, keep them coming.
Siobhan, you have done an excellent job in showing Tom Custer's character. The story of him and another standing with the RR preacher is especially telling. Most of the pictures in this video are new to me. I continue to be amazed with your research and presentation skills! In thinking of Boston's name, I wonder if it is more than common for parents to save the unusual names for the youngest children.
Thanks so much, Webb. I'd love to know where the name Boston came from too!! And I love the story of him singing with the preacher-- it's a softer side of Tom I don't often hear about. And reminds me how much they all loved music and song. Great to hear from you!
Siobhan: Riveting story, CPT Tom Custer deserves the recognition on his own merit; you gave him at least the last word and I felt like I was there with him. Moving tribute and an excellent video; Thanks.😞
Another well researched and presented study of the LBH clan. Tom Custer was as charismatic as his brother George. Great story telling once again . I read a post the other day from someone looking for information about Custer, so i directed them to watch your video's Siobhan, hopefully they found them.
Thank you so much, Steven! I think Tom did have the Custer charisma, perhaps he was a little less polished than George. But a ferocious fighter, I bet.
I really enjoy how you cover the history but also the small personal details about some of these people that we don't usually get from the academic viewpoint it's always great to get a new video from you not to mention to see your lovely self at the intro ❤❤......haha 😏
I always enjoy your content, Siobhan. So well researched and factual. I am always a fan of your history. The picture collages on this presentation were so wonderful, but they filled up some map content that I had not finished looking at, so it was a bit difficult to follow. I understand that all your work is a balance. And I am used to pausing video to read the full content of news articles and maps. I just wanted to give some constructive input from a regular fan of your history videos. Tom Custer was an Officer, a Warrior and a Gentleman. I expect the Sioux thought about the same of Rain In The Face. I am a full-blooded American who enjoys the true history of this country and seeks it out. Thanks for your presentations. They are great and true history.
Thank ypu! I agree with you about the maps-- hard to find a way to showcase them properly while telling the story. Thanks for that feedback. I'll have more confidence next time that viewers also want to look at the maps and don't need photos or art to fill up the screen 💕
Interesting. Custer working to create his persona... That is strange to me, because it is far from something that I'd do for myself. I don't care to be famous and I have been a battalion commanding officer, so I guess I was famous to somebody. Custer being aware of his impact upon others makes sense to me and to his time. It also give him motivation to do the flamboyant things that he did. Did you read my piece on Benteen and Reno that I wrote this morning? Am re-reading "Son of Morning Star", which I found hidden away in my library. I bought it in 1985 and haven't read it for decades. I am transfixed by it! I hope that you and yours have a wonderful New Year. Steve
Thank you for such a moving and interesting story about the Final Battle. It was fascinating to hear with such detail, and feeling. On a unrelated side note 48 years ago on June 25th I was at my Bachelors party. The weird thing is as a history nerd I was aware that day was the 100th anniversary of the battle. My wife and I tied the knot on the 26th so its our 48th tomorrow on the 26th. Best Regards from Canada 🇨🇦, and thank you!
excellent research into this terrible tragedy. in my reading of various books on this subject, the Indian scouts told Custer the village was the biggest they had ever witnessed and knew the soldiers' forces were not enough to win any engagements this day. they told him that all of them were going home today by a road they did not know.
Yes, all the scouts knew it was a large gathering of foe. But the Crow urged an attack, and GAC was afraid the entire campaign would collapse in failure if he let the Lakota and Cheyenne go, so he made the fateful decision to move forward... 😬
Siobhan as is your way !🎉 You always leave more answers of long past wanted questions answers. Respect ! 1 more question , were the gatlin guns there at the battle or in Fort Lincoln ?
Ha ha thank you, Gene!! I believe the Gatlings were with Gibbon's column. Reno had a Gatling on his scout and it slowed them down and proved dangerous, flipping over once on the rough terrain and killing a mule and badly injuring a soldier. Which is probably why Custer decided not to bring any along.
@@SiobhanFallon7 interesting , I knew General Custer said it would slow him down . As it probably was and noisy . What would of happened if he lived . The oval office would be incredible small for Long Hair . Short hair be his Secretary of State or ? Libby would be Grand as 1st Lady !
Siobhan, I am glad to hear that you have the Katz book! I bought mine when it first was published and it really does impart insight into the man and his wife, but to a lessor degree. Custer certainly wasn't camera sky. Concerning others who aided him, he had a positive reputation with Sheridan and Sherman. Grant, of course, was not a fan. I think Sheridan aided him when he wanted to be assigned out west after he court cases in Washington and his court martial. when C gave testimony against John Grant, Gen Grant's son. I think his name was John. BTW; have you read Gen Grant's autobiography? It was edited by Mark Twain and is wonderful reading! Grant was a wonderful writer. Twain was a huge fan of Grant....most folks were in those days. Funny, but in the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning (has it been renamed?) on display is Grant's CW portable liquor cabinet. I almost swooned when I saw it! It still held his booze bottles! How neat is that!?
Tom was a true brother to the General, to the bitter end. As always Siobhan, your videos are extremely detailed and thought provoking. I especially enjoyed 1 of your earlier videos about Tom's alleged illegitimate son, something ive never heard b4 akd ive read alot about the Custer's over the years. Q: have u seen the mini series Son of the Morning Star, it came out in the 90's and was very good 4 the time. You should check it out. Thanks again for all u do Siobhan❤
Thank you! The young Tommy story is wild, isn't it? Such a shame the Custers never reached out to him. I think he would have been a comfort to Captain Tom's parents, and they sure would have been a validation to young Tommy.
@SiobhanFallon7 True, Tommy would have been a comfort to Tom's parents and, to some degree, a comfort to Libbie as well. Had he been recognized by the Custer clan, he would have had a proud legacy to live up to.
Thank you for your research into Tom C. And thanks for emphasizing the "bring pacs" portion of his last message. From the context of the message I had always assumed Custer was anticipating a shortage of ammo as he engaged a "big village." However, as you phrased it, Custer was already low on ammunition. What this means to me is Custer continued his attack assuming his resupply would catch up. In 1994 I met a female captain who led a fuel convoy during the gulf War. Her unit was lost in a sand storm but kept moving forward. As fate would have it she ran into 7th corps just as they were running out of fuel. She received the silver star for her actions. No such leadership was available that day for Custer, he had all his trustworthy people on last stand hill.
You are probably familiar with this, but at the Washita, George Armstrong Custer told Quartermaster Capt James Bell to bring up the ammo, and Bell, being slower with all those packs, came up late, but did come, arriving at a critical moment and when GAC's ammo was running low. I imagine GAC thought the same thing would happen at LBH.
My compliments 👍 This fascinating story can‘t be told more detailed in so many ways and some photos and drawings here are very rare 😳 Thank You again for the good work and any soldier in battle behind selfmade brestworks knows where the dirt under his fingernails really come from ☝️😉 Bye ! , your Little Big Fan Dieter in Germany where the Küsters / Custers came from a Long time ago 😛 Every katholic church here got one 😉😂
There I was..flipping around UA-cam looking for the latest news on the new WNBA basketball sensation, Caitlin Clark out of Iowa...when, suddenly..this video pops up and all else is ignored. Caitlin who...? Siobhan, maybe some day you'll 'splain how you can talk about the same general subject matter multiple times, but so masterfully insert additional detail and inflection as to convince me that I'm hearing the story again for the first time? You're something else.
Russ!! Wow, what a beautiful comment! I was actually wondering if I was annoying people sometimes as I try to present different stories that wander around a bit, rather than solidify the events that happened, and keep it battle- oriented. So thank you for noticing how I try to intersperse lesser known tidbits into each video. So good of you to leave me such a kind message.
I really appreciate all of these in-depth videos and histories on the 7th and the LBH battle. It is what made me interested in history! I ask, why do you think Rain-in-the-Face gave such conflicting accounts of Tom’s death?
I think the warrior in him wanted credit for revenge and I think he genuinely held that grudge. But I do believe his statement about it being so chaotic-- like lightning-- that no one could tell who they were killing. But personally I think he was there to crush Tom's head 😬🤷🏼♀️
@@SiobhanFallon7 Very interesting point. Amazing to hear how they have interacted with each other on occasions before the battle. Thank you for the response!
I’ve never been to the battlefield at the Little Bighorn. I want to see the view from the Crow Nest first then Wier Point. Do you know if the Park Service allows public access to these places? Thanks for the personal touch you give the narration of your videos. It makes them so enjoyable to watch!
Hey you!! Crows Nest is on private land and it's very difficult-- and expensive!!-- to get permission to go up there. Weir Point is on the battlefield but technically off limits unless you are with someone from the Battlefield Trust or if you get permission from the park Rangers. The view from Weir Point is incredible and you can absolutely see Last Stand Hill with the naked eye. I think I use a bunch of Weir Point images in my Thomas Weir videos that might give you a sense of it. 📚🔭
Indeed. I have never contemplated how Custer must have felt when he realized that all was lost and not only for him, but for everyone in his family who were with him, or close by (thinking Calhoun). His remorse must have been palpable. Considering it does deepen the tragedy for the man and his family. Looking at my Katz book of Custer photographs last night. If you don't have this book, I suggest that you get one. While long out of print they are around. It contains all known Custer photographs. It has 41 that were unpublished and therefore unknown prior to this book being published (in 1985). About half are of C alone and the rest show him in a group, sometimes just one individual and sometimes a gang. Tom is always there too. Strangely, or maybe not so, I cannot find Reno in any of them. Benteen in only one, and it is of all of the officers, a well known pic. I do not see C anything like he is depicted in "Little Bigman". He was much more thoughtful and measured, while a bit of a loose canon too. He was just the kind of guy you'd like to have fighting on your side.
@stevemccarty6384 Hello Steve! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I love the Katz book! So many great images. Such incredible glimpses into their frontier life. You too know this about him, but Custer started with so little. He understood he had to cultivate a very public persona. He did not have money or relatives in high places who could do him favors, he only had his name and his own grit. He needed to make his name and keep in on people's lips. He was savvy, using photos, writing articles. He wasn't perfect, but no one can ever say that Custer didn't work hard. He threw himself fully into every endeavor.
Siobhan, we live near Cooperstown, NY, so I plan a visit to Lakewood Cemetery this summer and perhaps Lucia's grave. It's such a shame that she died so young.
Have question what was average amount of ammo did soldiers carrying ive seen pictures of ammo pouch look small .i stretched hundred rounds .and average how long to eject reload and fire .im guessing under fire scared .out gunned .20 plus seconds .war lasted what half hour anyone know
I lost respect for Tom after finding out about his child. It might have been a different time and age but regardless of the age or time a real man takes care of his children. Whether planned or wanted or not. You are still their daddy.
Yes, that made me really disappointed too. With the whole Custer family. We don't know the whole story, but what a loss to everyone that they didn't welcome in that little Tommy.
Agreed, but as you said,it was a different time and this would have disgraced the Custer name. My grandmother was pregnant before marriage and everyone knew to never mention this or one would pay dearly. My grandmother was born in 1913 and that thinking carried over and unfortunately still does.
@mattlogsdon2962 absolutely. Lt Henry Harrington married his wife Grace when she was 7 months pregnant. Seems like it was a shot gun wedding, where her family shipped her out to the post he was at and he had no choice but to behave like a gentlemen in front of his military peers. But Grace came from a very well off family, her grandfather had been a professor at West Point, so there may have been more at play and friends in high places exerting pressing on Harrington, a young West Point grad at the time. Rebecca Minerd's family might not have had the same reach and savvy to do this.
It seems more than likely to me that G. Custer lived in his brother Tom's shadow since Tom was the recepreant of 2 Metals of Honor. And it's my firm belief that Lt. Col. Custer thought by splitting his force and attacking the Indian encampment that he might garner a M.O.H. for himself. Wouldn't it be funny if they had succeeded that Tom Custer would be the only soldier to have received 3 M.O.H.'s. LOL !!!
Would love to know more or where I can find the reference on the one soldier tied up. I’m aware Reno thought from a distance Harrington was burned at the stake, yet this is new info I’ve missed.
A question , in the caption under the photos of LT Cook and Tom with the Wadsworth girls the young woman with Cook is named Emily and the young woman with Tom is named Helen when in most photos of them that have been published online the woman with Tom has always been referred to as Emma and the woman pictured here in this video with LT Cook has always been referred to as being named Nellie it’s a bit confusing .
Yes, absolutely! The Custers carry on a tradition of military service to this day. As do Native Americans. I have a short video on Indian Scputs you might like ( if you haven't seen already) ua-cam.com/users/shortsPIr6sJvhgWI?si=YCz-cS1J0pgAQA0I
Thomas was an extraorinarily brave soldier. His medals for valour were earned. The Custer family's fame was a seemingly un-stoppable entity. I've often considered that they might have engendered envy in high places. Knowing that George and Thomas had courage and ambition, above and beyond the normal call of duty, may have led to them being intentionally placed in a position of extreme harm. Envy, or jealousy of a perceived threat of perhaps losing 'pecking order' position is often why brave men were sent to their death. The general public and the tabloid press certainly held George and Thomas in very high regard. The name, 'Custer', "sold papers" and fanned National pride. Many a would be "Caesar" has perished for less.
How old was Tom when he died? I think George was 36 at the LBH, which to my mind today is young. (I'm just shy of 80.) Again, to my eye, George didn't look very old either. When I was on active duty we were all young men! Even the CO of the base would be in his 40s! We considered him (There were few female GI's around then.) ancient. There were zillions of young wives. Most of them had babies or were about to have one. It was really a dynamic and exciting time in my life. I was training to be a jet pilot for goodness sakes! The War was on. The base hospital was full of recovering wounded. We were positive that we'd win....Yeah....I know.
I wonder if close range like that would create too much damage? I don't know. But I agree with you in believing that Tom Custer would have done anything he could to save or help his brothers 🙏
There is the famous story of the 7th riding off from Fort Abe Lincoln into an ethereal fog. The band playing (I think). It was mystical and several commented upon the eerie effect. I have been in several situations (while flying jet fighters) where I thought death might be nearby. We squadron pilots used to joke about it. If one of our guys did "by the farm" we'd say something like, "You buys your ticket and takes your chances." Then toss off another drink. Custer and his men well understood that their death was a very real possibility. All soldiers in combat do, and they to some degree or another, accept it. I imagine that when Custer took his hit, he said something like, "Aw sh*t", sending his next bullet into his brain. Panic? I don't think C's men panicked, rather they bit the bullet and fought as hard as they could figuring to "take one of them with me". During WWI when the men charged over the top they'd shout, "Do you want to live forever!" I often ponder what was going on in the men's minds when the bow ramp of the pappa boat fell and the soldiers looked out across the bare, corpse filled beach at Normandy. They didn't hesitate (most of them). They jumped out, into the shallow sea and took their chances. And yes, I'll bet some of them thought that they'd rather be someplace else.
In 1979 while I was stationed at Fort Sill i had made a friend of an old Comanche man whose father was a Cheyenne Warrior and his mother was a captive Comanche he had rold me when hevwas 8 or 9 years old his father fought with the Long Knives( Calvary Troopers ) on the Greasy Grass in 1876 and after all the Long Knives where dead the old people and children went to the hill and surrounding areas where they could be found stripped the soldiers of everything of value and some of the women took their knives and stuck it in the ears or cut off the ears saying ( Maybe now You can Hear Our Crys Better ). He told me the the old people mutilated the soldiers so bad that even their mothers wouldnt know them. He said the sight of what the Cheyenne women did to the dead made him sick that he throws up all over himself and one old man said to him to remember this day that soon the Mighty Comanches would be just like these Long Knives, Dust in the Wind. This old man was Days-Who-Walks-Far and he was 107yrs old whom died at the ripe old age of 109. REST IN PIECE MY OLD FRIEND..
@rockyperez2828 He was right about the mutilation. I have read about another young brave who threw up at the sight of the US dead because it was so gory, too. I'll see what I can dig up on your friend. Amazing life he led!! So good of you to share his story with me, Rocky!
@@rockyperez2828 Days Who Walks Far-- I will remember him thanks to you, Rocky 🙏
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Well done. I don't think I have heard from any other source that a lack of ammunition was such a determining factor to the battle. As I remember it, 60 rounds was the standard combat ammunition carried. I think Custer expected Reno to rout the Indians and his flanking attack to be the coup de gras, scattering his foe. Such hubris. With most of the other chiefs killed in one way or another I am surprised Rain died in bed.
Playing practical jokes on one another was much more common then than it is today. Today to offend someone is a social sin, in those days it was something to be laughed at. Practical jokes could also take a vicious turn which sometimes made them even more successful in the eye of the doer. Nor is making fun of oneself as popular today as it used to be, even in my lifetime. I think we need to ease off and laugh more and even allow ourselves to be made fun of sometimes. A giggle is many times healthy after all.
@stevemccarty6384 yes! We take ourselves and everyone too seriously! And are always looking for ways to be offended. My goodness the pranks the Custer boys played on each other, on their own Father, and on Libbie. It makes them all so human.
Libby in her books, talks about Tom often. If you see a photo of Custer sitting in his tent, along with Libby, Tom is in the background. I suspect that if George was assigned to a unit, he saw to it that Tom was too. I doubt that Tom competed with G, rather he understood the two men's authority and duties and he did his best to do his part. Tom had a drinking problem which may have held him back. G of course did not touch a drop. Like his brother Tom also wore a complete suit of buckskins at the LBH.
@stevemccarty6384 yes, she does write about Tom quite a bit. I love the anecdotes about the Custer brothers and family-- beyond all the pranks and jokes, they had an incredibly tight bond. They must have been very happy going off on that campaign all together, GAC, Tom, Boston, nephew Autie. What horror it must have been to GAC at the moment he realized they would all die.
I can't remember where but I read many of the men then referred to them as the red giants speaking of the Sioux men and women. Believe average height difference was about 4 or 5 inches. Average soldier 5'8 and Average Sioux was 6'0 tall.
Hi David! Sorry to take so long to reply! It's thought that this very tall man is the Hunkpapa warrior Long Soldier, who was at Fort Lincoln for the peace treaties, July 1875.
There is an article by Warren Gray, who is convinced that Tom was the one that died as one of the last, fighting to the bitter end. I’ve read many accounts, I have to wonder. It seems to me that with all the officers that died surrounding George, from other companies that they commanded, George was wounded early & his officers reacted to this. Tom protecting his brother fought for his & brothers lives. The story told just doesn’t make sense.
I just want to point out the effort put into bringing the officers home so their family would have a place to mourn, a finality if you will. The common man however can just stay where he lays. Even then the government was 🔩 our vets.
@@SiobhanFallon7 Let me ask you something, has it ever been considered Custer was simply murdered? Grant was ticked at him, he had exposed Reno for cowardice to the newspaper, not to mention military politics where Custer was "rattling sabers". I know the official story is ,"well we told him to simply find them and wait for reinforcements but you know how Custer is and his Custer's Luck finally gave out". I'm just saying Reno sitting 4 miles away with fresh troops from Beteen, another odd fact that he didn't follow his written orders...... I'm sounding like a conspiracy theorist but everything about the ordeal screams either malice or incompetence. I mean it was the government so I lean towards the latter😂 I've really learned a lot from your shows thank you for all your hard work.
Hello Siobhon, by all respect...its no reason to glorify Custer and his brothers here...Major Reno and Captain Benteen are hoopelessly outnumbered from so much Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe Warriors...i think at least 10:1...they cant help Custer there...they are under heavy attack also...
The Native American eyewitnesses speak of them shooting slowly and carefully at the end. And men having to use rifles as clubs, which I assume you'd only do if you are out of bullets. They waited a long time for aid that never came.
Last Stand Arrows flying through the sky Over exploding horses bellies Diggin ! diggin ! Hard i try Or hand to hand go in the fight No amo more for me in sight So choose my way to die or hide.
Rain in the Face is probably the one who killed the fatally wounded Tom Custer with a stone hammer, but he was not the one, who mutilated short hair and stole his belongings. Children and teens (mostly from the Sioux) mutilated with arrow hits at short range for coups the bodies of the dead soldiers on Last-Stand Hill and they also scalped many of the forty there for trophies explaining the loss of most his hair by Tom Custer after death. It was generally the women and the elderly men who pillaged the bodies of the dead despite Sitting Bull's warning that it would weaken his magic against the Americans and protecting the Black Hills. Conversely, Rain in the Face stood over the body of the trooper from Calhoun's company, who had helped him escape in the Summer of 1875 from Fort Abraham Lincoln even placing a blanket over that man's body keeping many from scalping him and pillaging his belongings from late in the day of June, 25th to the morning of June, 26th, 1876. A Cheyenne woman, who had been George Custer's mistress between 1868 and 1872 stood over his body during the late afternoon, evening, and night after the Battle keeping it from being mutilated beyond percing his ears and from being scalped. Keough and a journalist from the Bismark Tribune were also not mutilated nor scalped for past actions toward Native Americans. The journalist was well known to the Sioux having visited their agencies and many of the non-agencies camps between 1874 and 1876 writing articles reporting with compassion the misery of the Sioux in the reservations. For Keogh, it is due to Crazy Horse and one of his relatives, but it is the stuff of legends.
I appriciate your work here very much...but no reason to glorify the Custer Familily so much...of course there are brave fighthers at little big horn...also in the Civil War...but there made mistakes also...and some of them are very heavy...
@@SiobhanFallon7 yes I am actually from the spotted elk family. Alot of stories around here handed down it's eye opening. My mind is taking in anything anybody has to offer...any knowledge is better than no knowledge.
@patmckeane6588 thanks so much, Pat, for weighing in!! I always appreciate insight and thoughts on this fight. You might like my Benteen series of videos! 🙏
Tom’s kindness to the missionary shows the quality of the man!
It does, doesn't it? The video was getting so long and I considered cutting that anecdote out to keep it a manageable length (longer videos tend to scare away viewers). But then I thought what you did, how it's a different take on Tom, and it's not a story I ever hear. So figured it was best to keep it in.
Thanks so much for noticing!
I would of loved to had you for my history teacher in school. Kids would have paid attention and learned. Having a nice looking teacher would have been a bonus for us boys.
Ha ha! Thank you, Chuck!
I think I'd be a terrible teacher! I would only want to teach what I liked! But if you can get me a job teaching Seventh Cavalry Studies, I'll take it!! 😉🤣🎉
@@SiobhanFallon7 I was a high school history teacher in Napa CA for a decade, a bit more. My curriculum was driven by our text books that we had. However I'd add to it when I saw fit and when I saw things left out. I was also amazed by how little my students knew about history when they entered my classroom! My students did very well. They never cut my class. I kid might cut all of his classes, but he'd show up for mine! I loved teaching. I taught history like it is a story, which it is, of course.
This episode has moved me like none other, such emotion it brings to me, I feel strongly now that I must take another trip back to Monroe soon and visit the historic sites, the Museum and my friend Steve Alexander. Thank you again for all U do, no one is better at it. :)
So lovely to hear that, Jay!
I was thinking of that painting of Tom and George on horseback, and how much George looked like Steve Alexander there!
Do the Custer family have descendents today?
@@mattlogsdon2962 Yes.
I’m a U.S. history teacher and I wish we could spend more than one class on the Indian wars. I love talking to the students about it. I even break out the dry erase markers and draw terrible maps.
I'd have loved that one day!!!!
Its great that all the letters were preserved ❤
I am Apache from a reservation in AZ. My ancestors were a mix of scouts and renegades. On my mom's side, one of my relatives won the Congressional Medal of Honor as a scout for the US Army in the late 1800s. On another side, I am descended from a renegade who was never captured. He was last seen on the reservation in the 1930s - the Apache Kid.
I visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield in 2000. I drove up from Denver to visit my aunt and her children. I was invited to a HS graduation for a young cousin. When I got to Montana, I stopped at the historical site. I ran into awful bigotry. An older racist white man pointed to me while talking to his son, a child of about age 8, and said something like "They'll never do that again. Nowadays, we have war tanks." Out of concern for the child, I just walked away and didn't even look at them. I figured the child was innocent and didn't need to get in the middle of a scene of racism involving his bigoted dad and a modern Native American.
In modern times, I have many relatives who served in the US Military. Many served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Iraq, and now Afghanistan. In HS, our Apache football players went to a football camp at Miramar Naval Base in San Diego. Many were infatuated with the naval jets. The film "Top Gun" had come out that summer and was very popular among teens on the reservations of AZ. A lot of Apaches had older relatives who served in the US Navy and USMC trained at San Diego.
So, one of the Apaches joined the USMC. He served in a scouting unit for an LAV as a machine gunner - a modern Apache scout. He died during the first month of the Persian Gulf War. In WWII, there were Apaches who served in the South Pacific and the European front lines. The US Navy has a large historical document about Native American veterans of WWII. My grandfather could understand the Navajo Code Talkers. He talked to two of them on a ship near New Guinea. The Navajo Marines were tasked with hunting Japanese soldiers in tunnels. My grandfather later learned they were killed. His brother served at Iwo Jima and was a DI at Camp Pendleton after WWII. They ran into a lot of racism in bigoted rural towns of AZ back then like in the film "Billy Jack".
The racism against Native Americans in those bigoted towns of the past usually has this pattern. Step 1: the Native American is a coward and white supremacy is invincible, so let's bully the Native American. Step 2: if the Native American is passive and does not react, then he is a coward and should be ashamed. Step 3: If the Native American stands up for himself, then he is a savage - too much of a violent recalcitrant to adapt to the ways of the far more civilized white man. So, the Little Bighorn Battle is often viewed under that racist perspective. If Crazy Horse and his warriors had fled to avoid contact, then Custer and much of the colonizers would have seen that as confirmation about the view that Native Americans are inferior cowards. But since Crazy Horse fought back and won the battle, then many labeled them as violent savages - recalcitrants who are too uncivilized and warlike. It's a dilemma with a no-win situation. If the Indians flee, they are cowards. But if they fight back and win, they are savages. Hence, the vitriol often results in false accounts of mutilation against warriors like Rain in the Face. The white racism of the 1800s was ridiculously stubborn. Much of modern research still seems to have that perspective.
I'd like to point out we are US Citizens now. Native Americans are part of the modern US Military. The Little Bighorn Battle was a tragic conflict. But it's long in the past. General Crook was so impressed with the service of his Native American scouts that he wanted them to have the right to vote. Crook was far ahead of his time in promoting inclusion for his Native American soldiers. Crook served with my relative Chief Alchesay. Crook thought very highly of Chief Alchesay. I don't believe Crook himself would have agreed with the bigoted comments by that racist white man about war tanks since I am related to Alchesay from Whiteriver, AZ.
The Little Bighorn Battle is often thought of as the worse defeat of the US Military against indigenous tribes. But it was not. The defeat of General St. Clair in 1791 was far worse. It might also be argued that the successful impediment of the encroachment of the Spanish Army into Central Texas by the Comanches and Kiowas was also on a similar scale of victory for indigenous tribes. The Spanish Army never made it that far into the Southern Plains because of the Comanches and Kiowas.
Please watch my videos of the Indian Scouts! I'll attach a link.
Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and personal response. 🙏💕
I think Custer had a more nuanced view of Indians than he is given credit for. They thought the Indians would run not because they were cowards, but because that was what happened in the majority of fights with the tribes. Not out of cowardice, but they did not have an endless supply of warriors the way the Army had new recruits, and they fled in order to get their families out of danger. If you read the writings of Army officers at the time, you will find tremendous respect for their Indian foes and real fear in fighting them.
I'm sure you know that mutilation of the dead was a historical accurate part of tribal war. War shirts had scalp locks, Cheyenne warriors made finger necklaces. I think of it as the extreme deterrent and warning to any invader, and a tactic every people used. Heads on stakes in the Middle Ages. Heck even public hangings at the time.
It was a ruthless time and war is dark dirty work. Those whites in the Indian Wars were fighting each other just as savagely during the Civil War 10 to 20 years earlier-- burning farms and industry and every thing else.
Both sides resort to whatever it takes to protect their families. We still do it today. 🤷🏼♀️
@@SiobhanFallon7 Thank you for your response, and also thank you, Manuel Steele, for the family information. Those were very difficult times, indeed!
I'm actually appalled that anybody has that attitude toward anyone, today. We(meaning Whites and even some Black folk) have not been at war with the Indian since before I was born. And I am now 60. And to think, the whole tragic event, would not have even happened had not some folks coveted what was then in possession of the Sioux. But that is the story of mankind, to covet someone's possession. The Sioux took it from another tribe. I went to the battlefield in 1984. There was a small museum there at the time and some Indian women were out front selling their crafts(I bought my dad a very nice belt buckle from one).
Yep but Crook knew when to draw the line. He was against allowing Geronimo and his followers to return to their homeland because of the huge problems that would have caused.
@@31terikennedy Yes. The historical reality is that the majority of Apaches on the two main reservations of AZ did not approve of Geronimo. In my childhood, the Apache elders who remembered him generally did not see him as a hero. But that was for the bands specifically located on those two reservations. Over in Mescalero, NM, there was generally more reverence of his memory. The Apaches were never united. Hence, Crook used scouts from different groups to fight against another group which they did not get along with. Geronimo did not get along with most Apaches at San Carlos or Whiteriver according to the elders. The elders told me the only time Apaches united was to fight the Pima Indians.
Thank you again Siobhan for such an informative well narrated piece of history. Tom Custer, a true American hero, deserves this recognition of his last few years. I especially love your attention to the side stories and details that many of us may not be aware of....please keep them coming!!
Thank you, Bob! I love finding the lesser known personal stories and trying to weave them in.
Don't worry, I have plans for plenty more videos!! 🙏🎉
Thank you for the history lesson on Tom Custer. It’s a story all to its self. Tom was a fearless and dedicated soldier and his faithfulness to his brother until the bitter endend. I’m looking forward to the next military and American Natives history presentation.
Thank you so much! I am already at work on another... 😉
So glad to see this today. I was just at the Little Bighorn Battlefield at the beginning of the month and can’t stop thinking about the place since I left. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these exceptional videos!
What a lovely comment. You just made me day. Thank you. So glad you got to the battlefield before they shut it down for construction next week!
Funny they shut down little round top. For a while to make it more easy to get too. I find this takes away from how that battlefield is viewed... @SiobhanFallon7
Congratulations on getting last part completed by the 25th!
Tom was indeed a brave and unique person who deserves to be remembered.
I must share with you a disappointing encounter I recently experienced.
While giving a young teacher and her 5th grade class a tour of our cemetery while they put flags on the veterans graves . I pointed out some interesting ones including a young women who died in 1960 age 20 by the name of Kuester. I asked the teacher if she knew how it would be spelled after having been anglicized. She said she didn’t so I dropped hints. I finally told her and was shocked that a woman with a college degree not only never heard of the battle of LBH, she never even heard of Gen.Custer!
What are they teaching the younger generation these days?
It makes what you do extra important in keeping the memory of these hero’s alive. Keep up the good work!
That's a sad anecdote, but also great motivation for me! Thanks so much for sharing and for giving that tour and reminding the next generation of our proud fallen 🇺🇸
Simply great historical lesson of Tom Custer. Thank you
@scottdutra788 thanks once again, Scott! Always good to hear from you!
Thanks again for the detailed personal commentaries on the real history of individuals of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Been in that country many times and your input helps bring things to life!
Thank you so very much 🙏
Had my Custer Day yesterday as it was 25th. in Aus. Thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Watched parts of Tonka, They Died With Their Boots On and Son Of The Morning Star.
Played soundtracks and read articles.
Whatever ever he was, Saint or demon, George certainly has immortality… as has Thomas ..
Stay safe 🥰🇦🇺🇺🇸
I love that! "Whatever he was, George certainly has immortality" NICE!
Thank you Siobhan great presentation. Tom sounds like he would have been fun to party with 😀and a very nice person and brave and proud soldier!
Yes! I'd have liked to have met him. But I'd keep him away from my teenage daughter!! 😉🤣
@@SiobhanFallon7 That's funny but probably true!😆👍
🤣🤣
Powerful video. Your passion is very important. Tom sounds like he was good man. The entire Custer male line, nephew, Bro in Law etc. gone in an instant. Staggering to think about. This was deeply stirring. Thank You very much.
Thank you so much, John!
Hope to hear from you again soon 🙏
There was another Custer brother who lived back east where the family was from. His name was Nevin and he was a farmer who never joined the military.
@@keithmaxwell8239 Ah Yes, Nevin. Thx Siobhan!
Much like the brothers in WW2 they should never be in the same place at the same time. The Sullivan brothers I was referring to,all five of them.
@mattlogsdon2962 yes!!
Custer tried to jeep young Boston back with the pack train, and nephew Autie too. Goes to show that he may have expected a hard fight but also a win.
Excellent video and narrative Siobhan. You make all the individuals come to life like no other historian. As I had previously told you about my Lakota great great grandmother showing my father a ring she had taken from a soldier on the battlefield while stripping the dead. She died in 1948 at the age of 104. Thanks Again Siobhan!
Thank you, Mark!! I remember your incredible story!
This was another.
Good video. Tom Custer has always struck me as being the guy but I would like to hang out with. Just a lot of fun to be around. As I have said, Elsewhere, I have looked into the life of Tom Custer fairly extensively. So there was little To surprise me here. What you have done very successfully is 2.Is to draw a picture of the humor involved in this somewhat Peculiar family. Well done as usual. Can't wait for the next.
Thank you, Barbara! How about that image of Lucia! Never saw that before. I loved digging up the lesser known details on him myself.
@@SiobhanFallon7 I am impressed. However, I am sorry to say that I don't see well enough to actually appreciate the image. I'm aware that you some really great.
Pictures. I only wish that I could see them.
Overjoyed and pleased we have not heard or seen the last of Ur most enlightening and I formative videos, thank U so very much. It's needless 2 say, I have never been more cogniscent of the 7th calvary and the Custer family history through Ur videos of all currently available by different authors. Ur presentations catches ones interest and imaginations immediately, I'm certain Ur pleasant voice and disposition adds 2 the easy listening, keep them coming.
Stanley, you are wonderful. Thank you. You bet I will keep them coming!!
Custer live forever!!! Great work Siobhan, you are a true gem! :)
Yay!! Thank you, Jay!!
How is his name phonetically pronounced?
Thanks for another wonderful video!
It always amazes me to think that several combatants on either side would have met each other before.
I know! It must have been a smaller frontier than we think 🤔🤷🏼♀️
Great video thanks for sharing 🇺🇲
Thank you so much!!
Hope to hear from you again 🤗
Another successful presentation. I really enjoyed it & the fact that you chose June 25th to release it.
Thank you, George!! You are one of the LBH scholar friends who inspire and push me the most.
So pleased that you watched! 🎉🙏
The perfect video for the battles anniversary, thanks so much Siobhan!
Thank you!! Man, I was really struggling to get this finished in time! 🙏🎉
Siobhan, you have done an excellent job in showing Tom Custer's character. The story of him and another standing with the RR preacher is especially telling. Most of the pictures in this video are new to me. I continue to be amazed with your research and presentation skills! In thinking of Boston's name, I wonder if it is more than common for parents to save the unusual names for the youngest children.
Thanks so much, Webb. I'd love to know where the name Boston came from too!!
And I love the story of him singing with the preacher-- it's a softer side of Tom I don't often hear about. And reminds me how much they all loved music and song.
Great to hear from you!
Thank you! Can't wait for more!
Working on another "short" now!
Siobhan: Riveting story, CPT Tom Custer deserves the recognition on his own merit; you gave him at least the last word and I felt like I was there with him. Moving tribute and an excellent video; Thanks.😞
@joesphmurphy4013 oh thank you!! That's the best praise, Joe. 🎉
Thank you so much for post this I find your work to be historically informative and accurate love the photos some of which iv never seen before.
Thank you, Alan!! I love digging up the photos and images myself!
Once again, great job.
@timjespersen3605 thank you, Tim! 🙏
That was great commentary So enjoyed listening to the whole vid. I’m just so fascinated by this campaign and battle of the little big horn.
@Tony-ij9zx much appreciated, Tony! Please let me know if you like any of my other videos too!
Another well researched and presented study of the LBH clan. Tom Custer was as charismatic as his brother George. Great story telling once again .
I read a post the other day from someone looking for information about Custer, so i directed them to watch your video's Siobhan, hopefully they found them.
Thank you so much, Steven!
I think Tom did have the Custer charisma, perhaps he was a little less polished than George. But a ferocious fighter, I bet.
And thank you for helping spread the word about my channel!! 🎉🙏🎉
Great presentation on Tom's travels and end, thanks! It gave me a better understanding of the dynamics and extended relationships.👍👍
Much appreciated! 🙏🎉
I really enjoy how you cover the history but also the small personal details about some of these people that we don't usually get from the academic viewpoint it's always great to get a new video from you not to mention to see your lovely self at the intro ❤❤......haha 😏
Jimmy, you are a darling! Thank you!
Digging up these lesser known anecdotes is half the fun for me. So glad you noticed and you enjoy them too!
🌹
Heading to the Monument right now! Happy June 25th!
So jealous!!!
Enjoy!! Say a prayer at LSH for all those lost for me please!
I always enjoy your content, Siobhan. So well researched and factual. I am always a fan of your history. The picture collages on this presentation were so wonderful, but they filled up some map content that I had not finished looking at, so it was a bit difficult to follow. I understand that all your work is a balance. And I am used to pausing video to read the full content of news articles and maps. I just wanted to give some constructive input from a regular fan of your history videos. Tom Custer was an Officer, a Warrior and a Gentleman. I expect the Sioux thought about the same of Rain In The Face. I am a full-blooded American who enjoys the true history of this country and seeks it out. Thanks for your presentations. They are great and true history.
Thank ypu!
I agree with you about the maps-- hard to find a way to showcase them properly while telling the story. Thanks for that feedback. I'll have more confidence next time that viewers also want to look at the maps and don't need photos or art to fill up the screen 💕
Thank you for an intersesting video about Tom .
Thank you, Laurence!! 🙏
As always - VERY WELL DONE!
Thank you, John!! 🙏
Another great video. Thank you. I know it takes a lot of time.
Much appreciated, David! I worked hard to finish in time for the anniversary and am glad I managed. Whew 😉
Wow! Beautifully put together. Please post more videos similar to this!!!!
Thank you my dear, sweet Evelyn!! 💕
Interesting. Custer working to create his persona... That is strange to me, because it is far from something that I'd do for myself. I don't care to be famous and I have been a battalion commanding officer, so I guess I was famous to somebody. Custer being aware of his impact upon others makes sense to me and to his time. It also give him motivation to do the flamboyant things that he did. Did you read my piece on Benteen and Reno that I wrote this morning?
Am re-reading "Son of Morning Star", which I found hidden away in my library. I bought it in 1985 and haven't read it for decades. I am transfixed by it! I hope that you and yours have a wonderful New Year. Steve
Marvelous story Siobhan. Every time I think I have a favorite, you top it with another one. Very informative and entertaining.
Oh, Kim, that's an incredible comment to get from you, especially as you are such a wealth of knowledge yourself!! Thank you.
Well
One of the better narratives on this battle. And of Tom as well.
Thanks!!
Such a great message! Thank you!
Great video!!
Thank you! 🙏🎉
Superb work yet again, Siobhan ... Well Done 😊
Thank you! I was hustling to get that up in time for anniversary, whew!!!
Thank you for another wonderful video. Your attention to the details of their lives is outstanding. Looking forward to your next.
Oh thank you! Working on one right now and hope to post tonight or tomorrow...
Thank you for sharing this story! 😊
Thank you, lovely Maeve!
Thank you for such a moving and interesting story about the Final Battle. It was fascinating to hear with such detail, and feeling. On a unrelated side note 48 years ago on June 25th I was at my Bachelors party. The weird thing is as a history nerd I was aware that day was the 100th anniversary of the battle. My wife and I tied the knot on the 26th so its our 48th tomorrow on the 26th. Best Regards from Canada 🇨🇦, and thank you!
Happy anniversary, Keith! Yours is the happier anniversary by far!! 🥂
excellent research into this terrible tragedy. in my reading of various books on this subject, the Indian scouts told Custer the village was the biggest they had ever witnessed and knew the soldiers' forces were not enough to win any engagements this day. they told him that all of them were going home today by a road they did not know.
Yes, all the scouts knew it was a large gathering of foe. But the Crow urged an attack, and GAC was afraid the entire campaign would collapse in failure if he let the Lakota and Cheyenne go, so he made the fateful decision to move forward... 😬
Very good video.
Thank you!
You know I always wait and hope to hear from you every time I post! 🐊
Amazing way to wrap up the series! Thanks for bringing all your research to life!
Thank you!! My family has been very patient as I worked on this especially long series... 🙏💕😉
So fascinating! Can't wait for the next video 🎉
Siobhan, keep up the great history lessons. Here's to you on the 148th.
Thank you, Storm! Really wanted to get Tom's final installment up in time for the anniversary. Whew.
A wealth o interesting information told in a passionate and fascinating manner. Thank you.
Thank you, Sunny Jack!!
Siobhan as is your way !🎉 You always leave more answers of long past wanted questions answers. Respect !
1 more question , were the gatlin guns there at the battle or in Fort Lincoln ?
Ha ha thank you, Gene!!
I believe the Gatlings were with Gibbon's column.
Reno had a Gatling on his scout and it slowed them down and proved dangerous, flipping over once on the rough terrain and killing a mule and badly injuring a soldier.
Which is probably why Custer decided not to bring any along.
@@SiobhanFallon7 interesting , I knew General Custer said it would slow him down . As it probably was and noisy . What would of happened if he lived . The oval office would be incredible small for Long Hair . Short hair be his Secretary of State or ? Libby would be Grand as 1st Lady !
@@Gene-kl1br She would have been a wonderful first lady.💕 Charming and diplomatic, and able to smooth over some of her husband's rough edges 😉
Siobhan, I am glad to hear that you have the Katz book! I bought mine when it first was published and it really does impart insight into the man and his wife, but to a lessor degree. Custer certainly wasn't camera sky. Concerning others who aided him, he had a positive reputation with Sheridan and Sherman. Grant, of course, was not a fan. I think Sheridan aided him when he wanted to be assigned out west after he court cases in Washington and his court martial. when C gave testimony against John Grant, Gen Grant's son. I think his name was John. BTW; have you read Gen Grant's autobiography? It was edited by Mark Twain and is wonderful reading! Grant was a wonderful writer. Twain was a huge fan of Grant....most folks were in those days. Funny, but in the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning (has it been renamed?) on display is Grant's CW portable liquor cabinet. I almost swooned when I saw it! It still held his booze bottles! How neat is that!?
Tom was a true brother to the General, to the bitter end. As always Siobhan, your videos are extremely detailed and thought provoking. I especially enjoyed 1 of your earlier videos about Tom's alleged illegitimate son, something ive never heard b4 akd ive read alot about the Custer's over the years. Q: have u seen the mini series Son of the Morning Star, it came out in the 90's and was very good 4 the time. You should check it out. Thanks again for all u do Siobhan❤
Thank you!
The young Tommy story is wild, isn't it? Such a shame the Custers never reached out to him. I think he would have been a comfort to Captain Tom's parents, and they sure would have been a validation to young Tommy.
@SiobhanFallon7 True, Tommy would have been a comfort to Tom's parents and, to some degree, a comfort to Libbie as well. Had he been recognized by the Custer clan, he would have had a proud legacy to live up to.
@@jimc9402 I agree 🙏😥
@SiobhanFallon7 Indeed. How's life been treating you Siobhan? Any new Custer vids in the works?
Thank you for your research into Tom C. And thanks for emphasizing the "bring pacs" portion of his last message. From the context of the message I had always assumed Custer was anticipating a shortage of ammo as he engaged a "big village." However, as you phrased it, Custer was already low on ammunition. What this means to me is Custer continued his attack assuming his resupply would catch up. In 1994 I met a female captain who led a fuel convoy during the gulf War. Her unit was lost in a sand storm but kept moving forward. As fate would have it she ran into 7th corps just as they were running out of fuel. She received the silver star for her actions. No such leadership was available that day for Custer, he had all his trustworthy people on last stand hill.
You are probably familiar with this, but at the Washita, George Armstrong Custer told Quartermaster Capt James Bell to bring up the ammo, and Bell, being slower with all those packs, came up late, but did come, arriving at a critical moment and when GAC's ammo was running low.
I imagine GAC thought the same thing would happen at LBH.
@SiobhanFallon7 no I did not know that. Proves the old dictum...amateurs study tactics, professionals logistics.
My compliments 👍 This fascinating story can‘t be told more detailed in so many ways and some photos and drawings here are very rare 😳 Thank You again for the good work and any soldier in battle behind selfmade brestworks knows where the dirt under his fingernails really come from ☝️😉 Bye ! , your Little Big Fan Dieter in Germany where the Küsters / Custers came from a Long time ago 😛 Every katholic church here got one 😉😂
Hello Dieter!! I am always so glad to get comments from you! My "Little Big Fan" ha ha!! Love it! 🤣🙌
There I was..flipping around UA-cam looking for the latest news on the new WNBA basketball sensation, Caitlin Clark out of Iowa...when, suddenly..this video pops up and all else is ignored. Caitlin who...?
Siobhan, maybe some day you'll 'splain how you can talk about the same general subject matter multiple times, but so masterfully insert additional detail and inflection as to convince me that I'm hearing the story again for the first time?
You're something else.
Russ!! Wow, what a beautiful comment!
I was actually wondering if I was annoying people sometimes as I try to present different stories that wander around a bit, rather than solidify the events that happened, and keep it battle- oriented. So thank you for noticing how I try to intersperse lesser known tidbits into each video.
So good of you to leave me such a kind message.
I really appreciate all of these in-depth videos and histories on the 7th and the LBH battle. It is what made me interested in history! I ask, why do you think Rain-in-the-Face gave such conflicting accounts of Tom’s death?
I think the warrior in him wanted credit for revenge and I think he genuinely held that grudge.
But I do believe his statement about it being so chaotic-- like lightning-- that no one could tell who they were killing.
But personally I think he was there to crush Tom's head 😬🤷🏼♀️
@@SiobhanFallon7 Very interesting point. Amazing to hear how they have interacted with each other on occasions before the battle. Thank you for the response!
Wonderful!
@scottnorvell2955 thank you, Scott! Please watch more and let me know what you think!
I’ve never been to the battlefield at the Little Bighorn. I want to see the view from the Crow Nest first then Wier Point. Do you know if the Park Service allows public access to these places? Thanks for the personal touch you give the narration of your videos. It makes them so enjoyable to watch!
Hey you!! Crows Nest is on private land and it's very difficult-- and expensive!!-- to get permission to go up there.
Weir Point is on the battlefield but technically off limits unless you are with someone from the Battlefield Trust or if you get permission from the park Rangers.
The view from Weir Point is incredible and you can absolutely see Last Stand Hill with the naked eye.
I think I use a bunch of Weir Point images in my Thomas Weir videos that might give you a sense of it. 📚🔭
Wonderful story!
Thanks so much!!
Indeed. I have never contemplated how Custer must have felt when he realized that all was lost and not only for him, but for everyone in his family who were with him, or close by (thinking Calhoun). His remorse must have been palpable. Considering it does deepen the tragedy for the man and his family. Looking at my Katz book of Custer photographs last night. If you don't have this book, I suggest that you get one. While long out of print they are around. It contains all known Custer photographs. It has 41 that were unpublished and therefore unknown prior to this book being published (in 1985). About half are of C alone and the rest show him in a group, sometimes just one individual and sometimes a gang. Tom is always there too. Strangely, or maybe not so, I cannot find Reno in any of them. Benteen in only one, and it is of all of the officers, a well known pic. I do not see C anything like he is depicted in "Little Bigman". He was much more thoughtful and measured, while a bit of a loose canon too. He was just the kind of guy you'd like to have fighting on your side.
@stevemccarty6384 Hello Steve! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
I love the Katz book! So many great images. Such incredible glimpses into their frontier life.
You too know this about him, but Custer started with so little. He understood he had to cultivate a very public persona. He did not have money or relatives in high places who could do him favors, he only had his name and his own grit. He needed to make his name and keep in on people's lips. He was savvy, using photos, writing articles. He wasn't perfect, but no one can ever say that Custer didn't work hard. He threw himself fully into every endeavor.
Siobhan, we live near Cooperstown, NY, so I plan a visit to Lakewood Cemetery this summer and perhaps Lucia's grave. It's such a shame that she died so young.
Oh!! I would love to see photos of that!!
Have question what was average amount of ammo did soldiers carrying ive seen pictures of ammo pouch look small .i stretched hundred rounds .and average how long to eject reload and fire .im guessing under fire scared .out gunned .20 plus seconds .war lasted what half hour anyone know
100 rounds I believe.
AWESOME! Excellent as always! Hip-hip hooray, hooray, hooray
Thank you thank you thank you!! Tom Custer has kept me busy these past two months! Very happy to finally post the last installment 🍻 🍀
I lost respect for Tom after finding out about his child. It might have been a different time and age but regardless of the age or time a real man takes care of his children. Whether planned or wanted or not. You are still their daddy.
Yes, that made me really disappointed too. With the whole Custer family. We don't know the whole story, but what a loss to everyone that they didn't welcome in that little Tommy.
Agreed, but as you said,it was a different time and this would have disgraced the Custer name. My grandmother was pregnant before marriage and everyone knew to never mention this or one would pay dearly. My grandmother was born in 1913 and that thinking carried over and unfortunately still does.
That bloodline should be tracked down if it hasn't already, Tom's son that is.
@@mattlogsdon2962 Tommy died young and childless. The whole thing is yet another sad chapter in this family saga.
@mattlogsdon2962 absolutely. Lt Henry Harrington married his wife Grace when she was 7 months pregnant. Seems like it was a shot gun wedding, where her family shipped her out to the post he was at and he had no choice but to behave like a gentlemen in front of his military peers. But Grace came from a very well off family, her grandfather had been a professor at West Point, so there may have been more at play and friends in high places exerting pressing on Harrington, a young West Point grad at the time.
Rebecca Minerd's family might not have had the same reach and savvy to do this.
It seems more than likely to me that G. Custer lived in his brother Tom's shadow since Tom was the recepreant of 2 Metals of Honor. And it's my firm belief that Lt. Col. Custer thought by splitting his force and attacking the Indian encampment that he might garner a M.O.H. for himself. Wouldn't it be funny if they had succeeded that Tom Custer would be the only soldier to have received 3 M.O.H.'s. LOL !!!
Would love to know more or where I can find the reference on the one soldier tied up. I’m aware Reno thought from a distance Harrington was burned at the stake, yet this is new info I’ve missed.
Yes... it's from Little Knife i believe... searching now
Found it online... www.astonisher.com
Little Knife's Story of the Little Bighorn
Thx
Tom seems very brave, and this is such a tragic story ❤
A question , in the caption under the photos of LT Cook and Tom with the Wadsworth girls the young woman with Cook is named Emily and the young woman with Tom is named Helen when in most photos of them that have been published online the woman with Tom has always been referred to as Emma and the woman pictured here in this video with LT Cook has always been referred to as being named Nellie it’s a bit confusing .
Hey Alan!
Yeah, Wadsworth girls remain rather mysterious. I think Emily was "Emma" and Helen was "Nellie"
Curious nicknames I know 🤷🏼♀️
Amazing. I know descendants of the Custers still serve in the Army. Also, a lot of Native Americans serve in the military now days.
Yes, absolutely! The Custers carry on a tradition of military service to this day.
As do Native Americans. I have a short video on Indian Scputs you might like ( if you haven't seen already)
ua-cam.com/users/shortsPIr6sJvhgWI?si=YCz-cS1J0pgAQA0I
Thomas was an extraorinarily brave soldier. His medals for valour were earned. The Custer family's fame was a seemingly un-stoppable entity. I've often considered that they might have engendered envy in high places. Knowing that George and Thomas had courage and ambition, above and beyond the normal call of duty, may have led to them being intentionally placed in a position of extreme harm. Envy, or jealousy of a perceived threat of perhaps losing 'pecking order' position is often why brave men were sent to their death. The general public and the tabloid press certainly held George and Thomas in very high regard. The name, 'Custer', "sold papers" and fanned National pride. Many a would be "Caesar" has perished for less.
I doubt Rain in the face recognized anyone in combat.
Maybe not in combat, but he may have after the smoke (literally) cleared.
How old was Tom when he died? I think George was 36 at the LBH, which to my mind today is young. (I'm just shy of 80.) Again, to my eye, George didn't look very old either. When I was on active duty we were all young men! Even the CO of the base would be in his 40s! We considered him (There were few female GI's around then.)
ancient. There were zillions of young wives. Most of them had babies or were about to have one. It was really a dynamic and exciting time in my life. I was training to be a jet pilot for goodness sakes! The War was on. The base hospital was full of recovering wounded. We were positive that we'd win....Yeah....I know.
Enjoyable listen. Would like to imagine that Tom saved his last bullet for his dying brother.
I wonder if close range like that would create too much damage? I don't know. But I agree with you in believing that Tom Custer would have done anything he could to save or help his brothers 🙏
Thanks for watching and commenting, Rich!
There is the famous story of the 7th riding off from Fort Abe Lincoln into an ethereal fog. The band playing (I think). It was mystical and several commented upon the eerie effect. I have been in several situations (while flying jet fighters) where I thought death might be nearby. We squadron pilots used to joke about it. If one of our guys did "by the farm" we'd say something like, "You buys your ticket and takes your chances." Then toss off another drink. Custer and his men well understood that their death was a very real possibility. All soldiers in combat do, and they to some degree or another, accept it. I imagine that when Custer took his hit, he said something like, "Aw sh*t", sending his next bullet into his brain.
Panic? I don't think C's men panicked, rather they bit the bullet and fought as hard as they could figuring to "take one of them with me". During WWI when the men charged over the top they'd shout, "Do you want to live forever!" I often ponder what was going on in the men's minds when the bow ramp of the pappa boat fell and the soldiers looked out across the bare, corpse filled beach at Normandy. They didn't hesitate (most of them). They jumped out, into the shallow sea and took their chances. And yes, I'll bet some of them thought that they'd rather be someplace else.
In 1979 while I was stationed at Fort Sill i had made a friend of an old Comanche man whose father was a Cheyenne Warrior and his mother was a captive Comanche he had rold me when hevwas 8 or 9 years old his father fought with the Long Knives( Calvary Troopers ) on the Greasy Grass in 1876 and after all the Long Knives where dead the old people and children went to the hill and surrounding areas where they could be found stripped the soldiers of everything of value and some of the women took their knives and stuck it in the ears or cut off the ears saying ( Maybe now You can Hear Our Crys Better ).
He told me the the old people mutilated the soldiers so bad that even their mothers wouldnt know them.
He said the sight of what the Cheyenne women did to the dead made him sick that he throws up all over himself and one old man said to him to remember this day that soon the Mighty Comanches would be just like these Long Knives, Dust in the Wind.
This old man was Days-Who-Walks-Far and he was 107yrs old whom died at the ripe old age of 109.
REST IN PIECE MY OLD FRIEND..
@rockyperez2828 He was right about the mutilation. I have read about another young brave who threw up at the sight of the US dead because it was so gory, too.
I'll see what I can dig up on your friend. Amazing life he led!!
So good of you to share his story with me, Rocky!
@@rockyperez2828 Days Who Walks Far-- I will remember him thanks to you, Rocky 🙏
Well done. I don't think I have heard from any other source that a lack of ammunition was such a determining factor to the battle. As I remember it, 60 rounds was the standard combat ammunition carried. I think Custer expected Reno to rout the Indians and his flanking attack to be the coup de gras, scattering his foe. Such hubris. With most of the other chiefs killed in one way or another I am surprised Rain died in bed.
Playing practical jokes on one another was much more common then than it is today. Today to offend someone is a social sin, in those days it was something to be laughed at. Practical jokes could also take a vicious turn which sometimes made them even more successful in the eye of the doer. Nor is making fun of oneself as popular today as it used to be, even in my lifetime. I think we need to ease off and laugh more and even allow ourselves to be made fun of sometimes. A giggle is many times healthy after all.
@stevemccarty6384 yes! We take ourselves and everyone too seriously! And are always looking for ways to be offended.
My goodness the pranks the Custer boys played on each other, on their own Father, and on Libbie.
It makes them all so human.
Just heading out to golf now I've a good reason not to loiter afterwards😂
Ha ha ha!! Have a great game!
Libby in her books, talks about Tom often. If you see a photo of Custer sitting in his tent, along with Libby, Tom is in the background. I suspect that if George was assigned to a unit, he saw to it that Tom was too. I doubt that Tom competed with G, rather he understood the two men's authority and duties and he did his best to do his part. Tom had a drinking problem which may have held him back. G of course did not touch a drop. Like his brother Tom also wore a complete suit of buckskins at the LBH.
@stevemccarty6384 yes, she does write about Tom quite a bit. I love the anecdotes about the Custer brothers and family-- beyond all the pranks and jokes, they had an incredibly tight bond.
They must have been very happy going off on that campaign all together, GAC, Tom, Boston, nephew Autie. What horror it must have been to GAC at the moment he realized they would all die.
Who was the Indian on the right side of the picture with the ladies??the indian looks huge in stature...
I can't remember where but I read many of the men then referred to them as the red giants speaking of the Sioux men and women. Believe average height difference was about 4 or 5 inches. Average soldier 5'8 and Average Sioux was 6'0 tall.
@@tbenedict6335 Cheyenne were also tall I hear
Hi David! Sorry to take so long to reply! It's thought that this very tall man is the Hunkpapa warrior Long Soldier, who was at Fort Lincoln for the peace treaties, July 1875.
There is an article by Warren Gray, who is convinced that Tom was the one that died as one of the last, fighting to the bitter end. I’ve read many accounts, I have to wonder. It seems to me that with all the officers that died surrounding George, from other companies that they commanded, George was wounded early & his officers reacted to this. Tom protecting his brother fought for his & brothers lives. The story told just doesn’t make sense.
@@rickbreze7469 I'll try to find that article by Warren Gray, Rick! Thanks for the suggestion 🙏
His brother was jealous of Tom's Medal of Honor. I partied in G.A. Custsers Honeymoon House in Tontogany, Ohio near Bowling Green.
Wow! Honeymoon house? Do tell!
Tashunawitko
I just want to point out the effort put into bringing the officers home so their family would have a place to mourn, a finality if you will. The common man however can just stay where he lays. Even then the government was 🔩 our vets.
@Alpha_Q_Up 😢 yes.
@@SiobhanFallon7 Let me ask you something, has it ever been considered Custer was simply murdered? Grant was ticked at him, he had exposed Reno for cowardice to the newspaper, not to mention military politics where Custer was "rattling sabers". I know the official story is ,"well we told him to simply find them and wait for reinforcements but you know how Custer is and his Custer's Luck finally gave out". I'm just saying Reno sitting 4 miles away with fresh troops from Beteen, another odd fact that he didn't follow his written orders...... I'm sounding like a conspiracy theorist but everything about the ordeal screams either malice or incompetence. I mean it was the government so I lean towards the latter😂 I've really learned a lot from your shows thank you for all your hard work.
The Wadsworth women were 7th Cavalry groupies!
Ha ha ha!!! Love it!! 🎉🙌🙌🙌🤣
Great lesson. We have to remember and try to get to the truth of the men that served and stop smearing some of them for political reasons.
Yes. They were men with hopes and broken hearts like the rest of us.
Hello Siobhon, by all respect...its no reason to glorify Custer and his brothers here...Major Reno and Captain Benteen are hoopelessly outnumbered from so much Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe Warriors...i think at least 10:1...they cant help Custer there...they are under heavy attack also...
I don’t think they ran out of ammunition..each trooper had 150 rounds and the troopers didn’t do a lot of shooting….
The Native American eyewitnesses speak of them shooting slowly and carefully at the end. And men having to use rifles as clubs, which I assume you'd only do if you are out of bullets.
They waited a long time for aid that never came.
Last Stand
Arrows flying through the sky
Over exploding horses bellies
Diggin ! diggin ! Hard i try
Or hand to hand go in the fight
No amo more for me in sight
So choose my way to die or hide.
Thanks 😉
Rain in the Face is probably the one who killed the fatally wounded Tom Custer with a stone hammer, but he was not the one, who mutilated short hair and stole his belongings. Children and teens (mostly from the Sioux) mutilated with arrow hits at short range for coups the bodies of the dead soldiers on Last-Stand Hill and they also scalped many of the forty there for trophies explaining the loss of most his hair by Tom Custer after death. It was generally the women and the elderly men who pillaged the bodies of the dead despite Sitting Bull's warning that it would weaken his magic against the Americans and protecting the Black Hills. Conversely, Rain in the Face stood over the body of the trooper from Calhoun's company, who had helped him escape in the Summer of 1875 from Fort Abraham Lincoln even placing a blanket over that man's body keeping many from scalping him and pillaging his belongings from late in the day of June, 25th to the morning of June, 26th, 1876. A Cheyenne woman, who had been George Custer's mistress between 1868 and 1872 stood over his body during the late afternoon, evening, and night after the Battle keeping it from being mutilated beyond percing his ears and from being scalped. Keough and a journalist from the Bismark Tribune were also not mutilated nor scalped for past actions toward Native Americans. The journalist was well known to the Sioux having visited their agencies and many of the non-agencies camps between 1874 and 1876 writing articles reporting with compassion the misery of the Sioux in the reservations. For Keogh, it is due to Crazy Horse and one of his relatives, but it is the stuff of legends.
@jean-lucgauville3656 thank you, Jean!
Great info 🙏
I appriciate your work here very much...but no reason to glorify the Custer Familily so much...of course there are brave fighthers at little big horn...also in the Civil War...but there made mistakes also...and some of them are very heavy...
Young Tom looked a bit like current actor Glen Powell.
@ericveit8915 wow yes indeed! 😍
I know rain in the faces descendants in rosebud sd
That is pretty darn cool.
Next time you see them, please ask them what oral tradition says about Rain in the Face and Tom Custer!!
@@SiobhanFallon7 u do pretty good 😉
@@CinRife thank you 🙏
@@SiobhanFallon7 yes I am actually from the spotted elk family. Alot of stories around here handed down it's eye opening. My mind is taking in anything anybody has to offer...any knowledge is better than no knowledge.
Not being argumentive but i truly think Benteen was best soldier there
@patmckeane6588 thanks so much, Pat, for weighing in!!
I always appreciate insight and thoughts on this fight.
You might like my Benteen series of videos! 🙏
Loyal heart tastes great.
@@jprovorse4159 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
OGLALA
Teased and annoyed by two older brothers - infuriating. But sort of fun.
🤣🤣🤣