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Interview with George Custer Expert James DonovanBy Johnny D. Boggs | Wild West | 10 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post Many of the Indian accounts are short and not very helpful—lots of variations on, “I was sleeping in my lodge when I heard gunfire, ran out of my tent and jumped on my horse.” But several men in the early decades of the 20th century—primarily Walter Mason Camp, George Grinnell, Thomas Marquis, Stanley Vestal and Eli Ricker—conducted in-depth, intelligent interviews with Indian survivors of the battle. A couple of decades ago a few researchers began examining and interpreting them in greater detail—Greg Michno’s Lakota Noon and Richard Hardorff’s several annotated collections of Indian accounts come to mind. Without their work, I couldn’t have accomplished what I did. The same goes for Richard Fox’s monumental Archaeology, History and Custer’s Last Battle, which analyzes and synthesizes both the archaeological findings and the Indian accounts. Subscribe Today
Most of the Indian accounts have been collected in available books, but some haven’t, so I did quite a bit of research going through collections and archives at institutions all over the country, in person, online and over the phone. I even employed a local researcher here and there, but there’s no substitute for looking through archives on your own. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re looking for until you find it.…I also trolled through seemingly endless pages of old newspapers and magazines. Fortunately. I like looking through that stuff—a major problem was the constant distraction of other interesting stories. Did you have any preconceived notions about the battle? Ironically, though I didn’t set out to defend Custer, I ended up doing just that, at least to a certain extent. He made mistakes on that Sunday, but several of those he was accused of—attacking too early, disobeying orders—were not true. But in the rush to escape blame in the battle’s aftermath, he was a convenient scapegoat, being dead, and several officers engaged in a disinformation campaign against him. The Army concept of CYA (cover your ass) has been around for a long time. Bottom line: George Custer, hero or goat? What was the 7th U.S. Cavalry’s biggest blunder? Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 19th Century, American Indian Wars, Historical Conflicts, Historical Figures, Native American History, U.S. Army, Wild West
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10 Comments to “Interview with George Custer Expert James Donovan”
As for the new Alamo book, there are PLENTY of realiable, military, Mexican side accounts, all written down shortly after the battle, in pen. However, one has to do their research, however, they(the mss) are practically under our noses! These accounts are backed up by Mexican army charts, and official dispatches, papers, and Mexican field reports. No tepee here. Also, I hope that Mr. Donovan does not compare the Alamo and Thermopylae as if they are the same in spirit and purpose. Many people wrongfully do this erroneous comparison, however, they are as different as night and day. For instance, the ancient Greeks were really defending their home ground from an invader, however, the so-called, Anglo-Texans were in the process of STEALING land! See the difference, folks? I know you do.
By Roger Borroel on Apr 8, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Arrogance in abundance. Humility non-existent.
By tjaldie23@peoplepc.com on Apr 9, 2009 at 12:18 am
I’m a big fan of the West. It seems that Mr. Donovan has done is
homework and you must respect that. I agree with Mr. Borroel about the Alamo and Thermopylae.
By Bill Stalzer on Apr 22, 2009 at 11:56 am
Nice article. Haven’t read the book yet, but I agree with one statement he made that kind of makes me want to read it. All too often historians have a specific point they wish to make, and even if unintentionally, tend to search for items that support that particular point, sometimes to the exclusion of other facts that may muddy the waters a bit.
This is why I don’t think I would read a book by Mr. Borroel. His comment above tends to make one think that he has already reached such a conclusion, and his book would probably support it. I much prefer to get all the facts from all sides, then determine for myself these things. So I will probably get Mr. Donavan’s book.
By Dale Decker on Apr 28, 2009 at 12:12 am
I am a 30 year Custer “buff” and have read dozens of books on the battle, been to the battlefield every year, re-enacted the battle, etc., and I truly believe “A Terrible Glory” is the best book on the subject in many years, maybe the best of all with the possible exception of William Graham’s “The Custer Myth”. He has done an excellent job of synthesizing all the available information, the new with the old, and in a very readable fashion. I think it will be the new “gold standard” among Custer scholars.
By Jon Heitland on May 12, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Like the life of Sinatra, the full scope of Custer and his accension into the american consciousness will probably prove too big for Hollywood, and too politically incorrect to even attempt to objectify in the wake of the red mans plight in our nation. I would pay to see the definitive portrayal of Custer in an Olver Stone film however, if for no other reason than to just piss off the status quo. I think that alone would have pleased Custer.
By Peter Thompson on May 24, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I have yet to read the book, however, many accounts of the resulting battle tend to not include contributing factors.Custer’s hatred of Ulysses S. Grant and his preoccupation with becoming the next President of the USA resulted in his haste, leaving gattling guns behind as not to slow the 7th Cavary down so he could travel to Washington to declare his candidacy. Disentary, among the troops. Being undergunned, single-shot breechloaders vs. the indians Winchesters. The troops carrying 4-months backpay having been paid just before the campaign.
By Myles Keough on May 25, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I have just finished Mr. Donovan’s superb book and want to tell him what a great work of history he produced. I too, like many others have read many of the more recommended books on the subject of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and Mr. Donovan’s book is by far the most readable, complete, and entertaining. Truly a modern classic of history. Well done sir! Thanks for confirming my conclusions as to Custer’s greatest mistakes. I agree that his mistakes were violating the principle of mass and lack of any reconnaissance of the actual objective area. His narrative just feels so complete as to allow the reader to truly reach finality on the subject.
By LaMar Stellfox on Jun 8, 2009 at 12:28 am
I would like to know what clothing, equipment the 7th Cavalry wore at Little Big Horn. We are trying to do an authentic copy of the troopers gear. Thanks, Richard
By Richard Jesse on Jul 9, 2009 at 12:26 am
I have not read Mr Donovan’s book so I don’t know what conclusions he arrives at regarding how the battle onfolded. But of the Custer books and narratives I have read the one I found the most compelling (as far as how the battle itself unfolded) was Sole Survivor by Douglas W. Ellison. I’m not talking about the sole survivor (Frank Finkel) that he presents in this book, but rather the troop movements (Custer’s)and most probable strategies employed. I think archaeological evidence that was later found in the scientific investigation after the grass fire on the battlefield bears his theory out.
By NorPlains on Nov 18, 2009 at 3:34 am