The Lives And Legacies Of George Custer, Sitting Bull, And Crazy Horse: American Legends Remembered

The history of the American West is marked by countless stories of bravery, conflict, and the clash of cultures. Among the many legendary figures that emerged during this time, General George Armstrong Custer, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse continue to captivate our imaginations with their remarkable lives and legacies. As we delve into their stories, we uncover the triumphs, tragedies, and enduring impact these individuals had on the shaping of the American frontier.

George Armstrong Custer: The Enigmatic Hero

Born on December 5, 1839, in New Rumley, Ohio, George Custer would go on to become one of the most controversial and iconic figures of the American West. As a Union Army officer during the Civil War, Custer displayed exceptional bravery and leadership skills, earning the respect and admiration of his troops.

However, it was his involvement in the Battle of Little Bighorn that would forever etch his name into the annals of American history. On June 25, 1876, Custer led the 7th Cavalry Regiment into a fateful confrontation with the Lakota Sioux, led by the revered Chief Sitting Bull and the cunning warrior, Crazy Horse.

Meeting at Little Bighorn: The Lives and Legacies of George Custer, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	3504 KB
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Unbeknownst to Custer, he faced a formidable force of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors, outnumbering his troops by over threefold. Custer's decision to divide his command proved to be his undoing, as he and his men were swiftly overwhelmed in what would later be known as Custer's Last Stand.

Custer's death at the Battle of Little Bighorn became a national tragedy, igniting both outrage and fascination throughout the United States. While some saw him as a heroic martyr, others criticized his tactics and questioned his ability as a leader.

Sitting Bull: The Visionary Chief

Sitting Bull, born around the year 1831 near the Grand River in present-day South Dakota, was a Lakota Sioux chief who played a key role in the events leading up to the Battle of Little Bighorn. Known for his spiritual vision and his ability to unite various tribes, Sitting Bull became a symbol of resistance against the encroachment of the settler population.

His vision of defeating the United States Army at the Little Bighorn resonated deeply with the Lakota Sioux and galvanized their forces. Following their victory in June 1876, Sitting Bull and his people faced increased pressure from the U.S. government, eventually resulting in their surrender in 1881.

Although he spent years as a prisoner of war, Sitting Bull's legacy endured beyond his lifetime. He became a symbol of Native American resistance and a champion for indigenous rights. His commitment to his people's way of life and his staunch opposition to the wave of westward expansion left an indelible mark on American history.

Crazy Horse: The Unyielding Warrior

While Sitting Bull provided the spiritual and political leadership, Crazy Horse emerged as a warrior of unparalleled skill and courage. Born in 1840 near present-day Rapid City, South Dakota, Crazy Horse displayed exceptional talent from a young age and quickly rose to prominence within the Lakota Sioux tribe.

Throughout his life, Crazy Horse vehemently resisted the encroachment of settlers onto Lakota lands. He participated in numerous battles against the U.S. Army, displaying unwavering determination and tactical brilliance in each engagement.

Crazy Horse's most notable triumph came during the Battle of Little Bighorn, where his strategies, alongside Sitting Bull's leadership, led to the decisive defeat of Custer's forces. Despite this victory, Crazy Horse faced increased pressure from the U.S. government, eventually surrendering in 1877. Tragically, he was killed a year later while in captivity.

The legacies of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse endure as symbols of Native American resistance and resilience. Their commitment to preserving their culture and heritage against seemingly insurmountable odds serves as an inspiration to countless generations.

The Enduring Impact

The lives of George Custer, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse were marked by bloodshed, heroism, tragedy, and the clash of cultures. Their stories reflect the complexities of the American West and shed light on the tumultuous relationships between Native Americans and settlers during this transformative period of history.

Today, their legacies continue to shape our understanding of the American frontier and serve as a reminder of the human capacity for both greatness and fallibility. From Custer's controversial tactics and tragic demise to Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse's unwavering resistance against sweeping changes, these individuals represent the triumphs and struggles inherent in the pursuit of a new frontier.

So the next time you find yourself exploring the vast landscapes and rich history of the American West, remember the lives and legacies of George Custer, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse. Their stories are far more than mere footnotes in history; they are powerful reminders of the incredible individuals who shaped the world we know today.

Meeting at Little Bighorn: The Lives and Legacies of George Custer, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3504 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	174 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

*Includes pictures of Custer, Sitting Bull, and important people, places, and events in their lives.
*Explains the Lakota oral legends and the origins of the names Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse
*Analyzes the three men and their legacies.
*Includes a Bibliography for further reading.
*Includes a Table of Contents

The Battle of the Little Bighorn is one of the most famous battles in American history and to this day remains one of the U.S. Army's biggest debacles. It was also the most decisive victory a Native American tribe had against the U.S. as it steadily pushed westward and forced native tribes off their land. The battle forever linked Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and George Custer, and it also made them American legends.

Like Geronimo in the Southwest during the same era, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse fought in several skirmishes against settlers and U.S. forces across the Plains during the 1860s on the way to becoming leaders of the Lakota. While it is still debated whether Sitting Bull was the "Supreme Chief of the whole Sioux Nation" by 1868, it’s clear that he was one of the influential leaders of the Lakota. And when The Great Sioux War of 1876 began, Sitting Bull was recognized as the most important leader among all Native American tribes on the Plains, and the one to turn to for those who intended to keep fighting whites.

At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which an estimated 2,000 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors inspired by one of Sitting Bull's visions routed and then annihilated the 7th U.S. Cavalry led by Custer, Crazy Horse was the one who executed the vision, leading his warriors against two of the 7th Cavalry columns, and oral legends claim he led the charge that started the rout of Custer's column. That disaster led the American government to double down on its efforts to “pacify” the Sioux, and by the end of the decade many of them had surrendered and been moved onto a reservation. Both Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull became celebrities of sorts after their eventual surrender, and both suffered controversial deaths on reservations that had their tribesmen claiming they were assassinated.

Though he’s now best remembered for “Custer’s Last Stand”, George Armstrong Custer began June 25, 1876 as one of America’s better regarded cavalry officers, and a man whose ambitions might one day take him to higher office. In fact, decades before radio and television existed, Custer mastered the art of public relations, dressing impeccably and having newspaper correspondents accompany him on campaign, all in an effort to help cultivate and enhance his legacy. Custer’s efforts worked, with one biographer noting that Americans during the 19th century viewed him as “a cavalier without fear and beyond reproach."

Much like famous Confederate cavalry leader JEB Stuart, Custer added substance to the style. Despite being in his early 20s when the Civil War started, Custer rose through the ranks so quickly that he famously commanded a brigade of Michigan cavalrymen at Gettysburg, fighting the vaunted JEB Stuart and his horsemen to a standstill on the climactic 3rd day of that battle. Custer’s success continued through until the end of the war, with his men playing an integral role during the Appomattox Campaign that forced the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Had Custer’s career ended there, he would have been both successful and largely forgotten.

Meeting at Little Bighorn details the lives of the three men and their feateful meeting at Little Bighorn, but it also humanizes them and addresses the controversies surrounding their lives and their famous battle. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events in his life, you will learn about Custer, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse like you never have before, in no time at all.