An Autobiography of General Custer

by Stephen Brennan (Editor)

Overview

Taken from George Armstrong Custer's own writings, An Autobiography of General Custer is the “true story” of one of the most praised, most despised, but surely most remembered American military heroes. Indeed, few figures in our history were—in their own time, as well as in our own—so wildly cheered and so roundly hated.

Custer’s narration takes us from just after the Civil War, when, having gained a reputation as a bold and inventive leader of the cavalry, Custer was given command of an expedition to help subjugate the Native Peoples of the Great Plains and to force them onto reservations. His story touches on his own court martial and subsequent reinstatement to command. It ends shortly before he embarks upon the campaign that would eventually lead to the Battle of the Little Bighorn and “Custer’s Last Stand.” As Custer was unable to write about his most famous battle, the Autobiography concludes with an 1880s newspaper account of an interview with Sitting Bull himself after his escape to Canada, in which the great Chief looks back on the battle and offers his own point of view.

In the evenings, on post and during his various leaves, Custer would sit at the dining room table with his beloved wife, Libby, and together they would compose the various stories of his exploits that would eventually become the book My Life on the Plains, which was a bestseller in its time, and from which this autobiography is largely taken.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620870754
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	10/01/2012
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Stephen Brennan is the author of The Adventurous Boy’s Handbook and The Adventurous Girl’s Handbook. He has also edited and arranged An Autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt and An Autobiography of General Custer, among others. He has worked as a circus clown, book editor, teacher, cabaret artist, actor, director, shepherd, and playwright. He resides in New York City and West Cornwall, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Introduction by the Editor 7

Chapter 1 With General Hancock's Expedition-In Pursuit of the Indians-My First Buffalo Hunt-Indian Attack?-False Alarm-The Box Family Story 11

Chapter 2 Mrs. Custer's Adventure-Taking Council with the Sioux-General Sherman Arrives-Taking Council with the Sioux, Again-Rescue of Captain Hamilton-Rescue of the Wagon Train 43

Chapter 3 Worry Over Kidder's Party-Deserters-Re-Supplying Fort Wallace-Death of Comstock 73

Chapter 4 Recalled to Active Duty-My New Command-California Joe-The Indian Manner of War 94

Chapter 5 Lessons Learned-Seventh Cavalry Re-Organized-Expedition in the Snow-Battle of the Washita 114

Chapter 6 After the Battle of Washita-California Joe Sent with Despatches-Our Move to Camp Supply-In the Saddle Again-Mrs. Morgan and Miss White in the Hands of the Indians-Mo-nah-se-tab or "Young Grass that Shoots in the Spring" 150

Chapter 7 We Leave Camp Supply-We Revisit the Washita Battleground-We Discover Major Elliot's Command-Meeting the Chiefs-Son of Satanta-The Kiowas Come in 179

Chapter 8 Village of the Apaches-Guides Little Robe and Yellow Bear-Tidings of the Captured Girls-In Search of the Cheynnes-Daughter of Black Eagle-A Pipe Shared with Medicine Arrow-The Captive Girls Released 206

Chapter 9 The Yellowstone Expedition Report, 1873 251

Appendix: The Battle at Little Big Horn-Sitting Bull's Version 261