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Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn: Uncovering the Hidden Truths of Custer's Last Stand

Harold Blair

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The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn

by Chris Enss

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11899 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	198 pages

The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, is one of the most iconic and tragic events in American history. In June 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry Regiment into a surprise attack by a combined force of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. The battle resulted in the complete annihilation of Custer's regiment, with all 265 soldiers killed.

Over the years, the Battle of the Little Bighorn has been the subject of countless books, articles, and movies. However, many of these accounts have focused on the sensational aspects of the story, such as Custer's hubris and the brutality of the fighting. In reality, the battle was a much more complex event, with multiple causes and consequences that extended far beyond the battlefield.

In his new book, Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn, historian James M. McPherson provides a fresh and comprehensive look at this iconic event. McPherson draws on extensive research, including newly discovered documents and firsthand accounts, to shed new light on the battle's origins, course, and aftermath.

The Causes of the Battle:

McPherson argues that the Battle of the Little Bighorn was not simply the result of Custer's recklessness or the Native Americans' desire for revenge. Rather, it was the culmination of a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications that began with the U.S. government's decision to Free Download the Black Hills from the Lakota people.

The Lakota had always considered the Black Hills to be sacred land, and they were outraged by the government's attempt to take it from them. In 1875, the Lakota and Cheyenne refused to sign the Treaty of Fort Laramie, which would have ceded the Black Hills to the United States. As a result, the government sent General George Crook to force the Native Americans to comply with the treaty.

Crook's expedition was a failure, and it only served to further anger the Lakota. In the spring of 1876, the Lakota and Cheyenne decided to resist the government's demands by force. They assembled a large war party and began to attack white settlements in the Black Hills.

The Battle:

In June 1876, Custer and the 7th Cavalry Regiment were sent to track down and defeat the Native American war party. Custer believed that the Native Americans were a disorganized and poorly armed mob, and he was confident that he could defeat them easily.

However, Custer underestimated the size and strength of the Native American force. On June 25, 1876, Custer's regiment was attacked by a combined force of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. The battle raged for several hours, and Custer and his men were eventually surrounded and killed.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was a devastating defeat for the U.S. Army. It was the largest defeat of American troops by Native Americans in history, and it shattered the myth of American invincibility.

The Aftermath:

The Battle of the Little Bighorn had a profound impact on the history of the United States. It led to a major reassessment of the government's Indian policy, and it helped to spark a national debate about the treatment of Native Americans.

In the years after the battle, the U.S. government adopted a more conciliatory approach to dealing with Native Americans. The government established reservations for the Lakota and Cheyenne, and it provided them with food, clothing, and other supplies.

However, the Battle of the Little Bighorn also had a lasting negative impact on the relationship between the United States and Native Americans. The battle created a legacy of distrust and resentment that would continue to haunt American Indian policy for generations to come.

James M. McPherson's Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn is a groundbreaking work that provides a fresh and comprehensive look at one of the most iconic events in American history. McPherson draws on extensive research to shed new light on the battle's causes, course, and aftermath. His book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the American West and the relationship between the United States and Native Americans.

Free Download the book here

The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn

by Chris Enss

4.6 out of 5