The American West : Custer Essay

The name of "Custer" has become a byword. Today, when one is involved in seemingly hopeless circumstances reference to "Custer"s Last Stand" might be made. On the surface, and even after some digging, the case could be made that Custer was the victim of his own mistakes. This case will not be made here but only acknowledged to be a possible conclusion. The case made here is one which notes that those under Custer"s command on June 25, 1876 failed him, and in failing him certainly doomed him.

The purpose of this essay will not be to slander the Indian nations with whom Custer fought that day. The Sioux and other tribes were in the right that day. Treaties had been made with these Indians granting them the Dakota Territory and the region of the Black Hills forever. Treaties the White Man drew up and signed gave them this land. In 1874 Gold was discovered in the region of the Black Hills, on Indian land. With the discovery of Gold treaties were forgotten. The thought of the time was a promise need not be kept with the Indians so the Indians must be removed from the land treatied to them. The Indian nations with whom Custer fought in 1876 were fighting for their lives, their families, and their land. Who among us can fault them for doing what we hold as noble and right and good. Custer and the United States Government were not in the right on June 25, 1876. Indeed, the whole Indian policy is a dark page in any history.

This essay does not presume to be scholarly, nor encompassing of all the facts and events of that day or time. This essay is an opinion of a less than amateur fan of the American West between the years of 1800-1899. This is my opinion based on limited readings. Some balance will be attempted in the presentation, despite the favorable standing that Custer holds with this writer.

It will be noted if one reads any sources on Custer that he was loved or hated. The powers that be in 1876 were no exception to this. General Sheridan admired Custer....