Custer’s Last Network: The Groups Keeping Little Bighorn History Alive

Reading, studying, and examining Custer, the 7th Cavalry, the plains Indian Wars, the Battle of the Little Big Horn, etc. is, for the most part, a solitary hobby. Indeed, many times your family, friends, and those closest to you don't understand the obsession. If you haven't heard the phrase "You're reading another book about Custer?" don't worry - you will.

Like pretty much everything else, Custer and the Little Big Horn battle can be found on the internet. There  are many websites dedicated to this period in history. Years ago, Custer buffs hung out on a variety of message boards and chat groups to communicate and trade information. With the rise of social media, those message boards and chat groups have pretty much been pushed to the wayside.

There are several organizations that cover our favorite timeframe in history. These organizations also have a social media presence, typically Facebook. Groups on Facebook are the current message boards of yore. In addition to their Facebook groups, in which you are free to join, read, and participate, they also publish newsletters, scholarly journals, have conferences, etc. Membership rates vary. 

Some groups are public and others are private. The private groups are free to join but do require registration. The private groups tend to be less prone to the antics that afflict social groups everywhere. All groups have moderators to keep the discussions on topic and watch for troublemakers. Here are my favorites in alphabetical order:

BTA-FTK: Bozeman Trail Association Fort Phil Kearny  FPK/BTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation, development, education, and promotion of the historic sites at Fort Phil Kearny and along the Bozeman Trail. By becoming a FPK/BTA member you help to preserve and protect these historical sites. You will receive our LOOKOUT publication twice a year and a 10% discount in the Bookstore (when purchased in-store). The unofficial Facebook group for this organization is The Bozeman Trail and the Powder River Wars. The group is private but free to join.

CAGB: Custer Association of Great Britain is a wonderful organization that publishes the scholarly journal, The Crow's Nest. They also publish a club newsletter four times a year. They don't have a discussion group but by simply following their page, you will receive updates and other valuable information. The Crow's Nest is worth the membership fee all by itself.

CBHMA: Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association was the first organization I joined back in 1999. They publish their own scholarly journal, Greasy Grass, that is excellent. The CBHMA Facebook group is public and one of the largest as far as registered members. Again, membership is encouraged but not required to participate in the forum.

FRIENDS: Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield is an organization whose Facebook page states: "Our mission is to raise funds to aid & promote management programs of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, formerly Custer Battlefield National Monument, and to inspire its visitors to learn more." No forum here either but by following their page, you will be sure to receive timely news about the battlefield.

LBHA: Little Big Horn Associates. A slick newsletter and the Research Review journal make this organization one of the old standbys for Little Big Horn fans. But it's not Little Big Horn all the time, 24/7. Articles on Custer's childhood, Civil War career, personal life, and the other characters involved are included. Their forum is private but free to join and is one of the most active.

OIW: Order of Indian Wars, now American Frontier History Association Assembly states on their Facebook page - "Study and dissemination of information, on that aspect of United States military history of Indian warfare, whether it is Indians against each other, or with emigrant settlers and soldiers alike. The history of the peoples and events in our past...on both sides. This page is dedicated to and focused on the history and discussion of the U.S. Indian Wars. Unlike the other groups, this one doesn't focus on the northern plains. You are just as likely to see a thread about Apache or Navajo topics as you are about Custer, the Sioux, or Cheyenne.

General George A. Custer History Forum: Unlike the others, General George A. Custer History Forum is a Facebook only group administered by Dr. Gregory Urwin. The discussion forum is highly moderated so there are less of the arguments that tend to break out on the other boards. Topics range from Custer in the Civil War to the Little Big Horn. Dr. Urwin wrote one of the classic Custer Civil War books, Custer Victorious.

There are other groups and pages as well but, these are my personal go-to favorites. I encourage you to check them out and give the forums a test drive. The groups that have been around for a while have a wealth of information in their files. Spend time looking through the documents, videos, photos, and posts that are featured. If you see me, drop me a note or private message to say hello.

Oh yeah... a bit of advice... get your feet wet by reading past entires. Get a feel for the individual board before posting. There are people in these groups that have been studying this topic for decades, including authors, film people, students, professors, park service employees, as well as seasoned and learned hobbyists. If you make a bold statement, be prepared to be called out. You need to backup what you post.

This battle may be approaching its 150th anniversary, but you can bet that feelings still run hot. Discussions and arguments are the norm. Whether you post or just lurk and read, you will learn something. And hopefully have a bit of fun as well. I'll see you over there...

Etched Back into Existence

John Cunningham and George Turner died while on the 1874 Black Hills Expedition with the 7th U.S. Cavalry. Private Cunningham died of chronic diarrhea on July 21 and Private Turner died from a gunshot wound inflicted by another trooper, over an argument about a cross-hobbled horse on July 22. Both were buried on the night of July 22nd, south of present day Sundance, Wyoming.

For nearly 100 years, the graves remained unmarked. On Veteran's Day 1968, the graves were marked with military stones and Cunningham and Turner were given the respect due them. Downloading the below image will allow you to zoom in.

Casper Star Tribune; Casper, Wyoming; November 07, 1968

The following appeared in the Casper Star Tribune five years later, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the deaths of Cunningham and Turner:

Casper Star Tribune; Casper, Wyoming; July 18, 1974

The Big 1-5-0!

Summer 2026 is a big one. Especially if you're a Little Big Horn student/enthusiast. In addition to our country's 250th anniversary, it's the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. There are plenty of events to keep a person busy in the Billings/Sheridan area, particularly around the June 25/26 anniversary dates.

Both the Little Big Horn Associates (LBHA) and the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association (CBHMA) have events planned near the anniversary dates. You can find membership and conference information on their respective websites. If you have an interest in this period of our history, I encourage you to explore both organizations. Please also check out these groups as well - Custer Association of Great Britain (their Crow's Nest publication alone is worth the cost of membership), Friends of the Little Big Horn, and the Order of Indian Wars (also covers battles and skirmishes not on the Great Plains).

The anniversary period is a great time to visit the battlefield, but it takes a bit more planning as there are more visitors, traffic, and over all congestion. Many of these places don't experience large visitor numbers so when they are bombarded, there may be some struggles. Please be patient. Especially 2026. With the battlefield visitor center under construction (hopefully but unlikely to be complete before the anniversary), there will be new rules and regulations governing your visit. Again...patience and pre-planning will be key.

I have three favorite things about visiting the battlefield around the anniversary timeframe:

1. My buddies. I am fortunate enough to have a group of buddies who share my interests and we make regular trips to historical battlefields, forts, graves, museums, and other sights that pique our fancy. We also enjoy having more than a few drinks and are always on the lookout for the perfect bison steak. I have experienced more with my buddies than I ever would have on my own. The nightly after action review discussions at the hotel are just as valuable and educational as the visits themselves. I have learned a lot from those knuckleheads.
2. As I mentioned earlier, there will be more people running around during the anniversary period than at any other time. This can be both great and troublesome. More people means more crowding, traffic, etc. But it also means there are more people who are interested in this period in history running around the area. It's a wonderful time to reconnect with old friends and also to make new ones. Most of us are doing our studying solo. It's fun to talk to and meet people with like-minded interests.
3. Number three is books. MORE BOOKS. This is also the perfect time to shore up your history library. Many authors are also in the area, so it gives you a good chance to get your new book inscribed and signed. Or just to ask a quick question about a book you particularly enjoyed. Every author I've ever approached to sign a book has been very friendly and accommodating. Just use common sense and good manners.

If you're on Facebook, there are a number of groups that cater to this period in history. I would suggest checking these groups out. Please keep in mind, that there are many opinions that are thrown around in these groups, and the discussions can get heated. There are moderators but it helps to police yourself. If you do decide to post, just know that you may be asked for clarification or the sources you used. This will help solidify your post and also promote discussion. Don't take everything too personally and have fun. There is a wealth of information in these groups and it's searchable. Using the (sometimes hard to find) tools on Facebook will help you locate the information that interests you. Some of these groups are public and others are private. Either way, they are free to join whether you are a member of the organization or not.

Little Big Horn Associates Facebook group.

CBHMA Facebook group.

Order of Indian Wars Facebook group.

Bozeman Trail and Powder River Wars Facebook group.

Both the LBHA and the CBHMA are having conferences near the battlefield this year. They offer tours, bookrooms, symposiums, and lots of other activities to keep you busy. Check out their websites and Facebook groups for more information.

A portion of one of the bookrooms at the 2024 LBHA Gettysburg conference.

The bookroom at the 2009 LBHA Billings conference.

The one and only Robert M. Utley, signing my copy of
Custer and Me; 2005 LBHA Rapid City conference.

The cover of the LBHA newsletter, September 2005. That lower
right-hand photo is us at the hotel bar, 2005 LBHA conference.
L to R: Frank Bodden, Michael "Max" Reeve, Greg Michno, Michael Olson,
Father Vince Heier, Perry Baker (RIP), and yours truly, Scott Nelson.

If you are out and about in Montana or Wyoming this summer, and happen to see me stumbling around, please come up and say hello. I love meeting fellow history enthusiasts. None of us bite.

Comanche: Tougher than a $2.00 Steak

Comanche was a mixed-breed horse famous for being a survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This battle, fought during the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877, is often remembered as Custer's Last Stand, where the entire detachment of 7th Cavalry Soldiers, led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, were killed on June 25, 1876.

Comanche was bought by the U.S. Army in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1868. He was a 15 hands (60 inches, 152 cm) gelding, described as bay or bay dun, whose ancestry and date of birth were uncertain. Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th Cavalry purchased Comanche as his personal mount, to be ridden only in battle. Comanche carried Keogh during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Captain Keogh was killed in the battle, but Comanche was found wandering the area afterward, while soldiers were preparing to bury the dead.

US soldiers found Comanche badly wounded and slowly nursed him back to health at Fort Lincoln. After his recovery, Comanche was retired. In April 1878, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis issued a General Order stating that Comanche, "being the only living representative of the bloody tragedy of the Little Big Horn," should be treated with special care and never ridden or put to any work. The order also specified that on all ceremonial occasions, he should be saddled, bridled, draped in mourning, and led by a mounted trooper.

The horse was later brought to Fort Meade near present-day Sturgis, South Dakota, and kept "like a prince" until 1887. 

As an honor, Comanche was made "Second Commanding Officer" of the 7th Cavalry and became a pet at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he even indulged in a fondness for beer.

Comanche died of colic on November 7, 1891, believed to be 29 years old.

Comanche was given a military funeral with full military honors at Fort Riley, Kansas. His remains were preserved through taxidermy and are currently on display at the University of Kansas's Natural History Museum.

Although Comanche is often described as the sole survivor of Custer's detachment, other horses also survived. However, the legend endures, as Comanche was the only one recovered by the US Army and given a place of honor. 

Comanche's story has been featured in books, TV shows, and movies, such as Disney's TONKA (1958). 

The following appeared in the August 11, 1887 edition of The Miller Press, Miller, South Dakota.

The Miller Press; August 11, 1887 - page 4

This snippet was found in the Sturgis Advertiser of July 19, 1887.

Sturgis Advertiser; July 19, 1887 - page 1

And here is the famous Grabill photo, mentioned in the above clipping.

A article outlining the history of Comanche, from the University of Kansas.

"Sgt. Windolph Rode Comanche" - Sturgis Tribune - February 2, 1950 (includes photo of Windolph)

Moving Stuff Around

 First of all... Happy Thanksgiving!

Second, this website has, for the most part, been working great. So great in fact, that I decided to mess with it. This post is meant more as a heads-up than any real update. If you find a broken link, missing image, or just a spelling error, please drop me an email and let me know. My email is shown in the column at the right. You could also leave a comment on the page with the error and I'll get an email notification. Either way, please let me know. 

Thank you. Now go have another piece of pie.

Gratitude and Gravy

Thanksgiving celebrations always seem to involve a crazy amount of food consumption. Not a lot has changed since the 19th century. In the time of the Super Size meals, we eat more than our ancestors. But the menus from Thanksgivings past suggest they looked the other way during the holiday as well.

Thanksgiving in the United States has been observed on differing dates. From the time of the Founding Fathers until Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863, the date of observance varied from state to state. Lincoln set national Thanksgiving by proclamation for the final Thursday in November in celebration of the bounties that had continued to fall on the Union and for the military successes in the war, also calling on the American people, "with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience ... fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation...." Because of the ongoing Civil War, a nationwide Thanksgiving celebration was not realized until Reconstruction in the 1870s.*

In 1879, Thanksgiving landed on November 27th. The following appeared the next day in the Friday (November 28, 1879) edition of The Bismarck Tribune. It outlined the menus at a couple of the hotels in Bismarck - The Merchants Hotel and the Sheridan House.

Lots of the same staples as today: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and various pies. But also thrown in are choices that you wouldn't find on today's holiday table: hog's head cheese, tongue, heart, and fatty goose livers.

If I could go back in time, I think I would be a picky eater but wouldn't have too much trouble finding something I could work with.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

* Wikipedia

Big Winners at the Catholic Fair

During the winter of 1888, a fundraiser was held by the Ladies of the Catholic Church in Sturgis. They raised close to $400, which would be equivalent to about $13,994 today (in terms of general purchasing power).* Certainly not too shabby for a church fundraiser in a small town, a mile north of nowhere.

U.S. Seventh Cavalry aficionados will recognize the names Weihe and Hoehn among the prize winners. Hoehn was on detached service from June 15, 1876 at Yellowstone Depot, Montana Territory. Therefore, he didn’t perish at Little Bighorn like his Company L comrades. 

Henry Charles Weihe is an altogether different story. Weihe (aka Charles White) was a sergeant in Company M. During the Battle of the Little Bighorn, he was wounded in the right arm. His horse was killed when the retreat from the valley fight began. He was left in the timber and later rejoined Reno and the rest of the troops on the hilltop. He was transported to Fort Lincoln aboard the steamer Far West.  Daniel Newell stated, “Sergeant White, though badly wounded in the elbow, stayed on his feet and did everything he could to relieve the sufferers. He had a glassful of jelly in his bags and each wounded man got a small spoonful of that.”

I always liked Newell's anecdote about Weihe/White. What a generous and thoughtful gesture. I'm happy he won a fancy lap robe at the drawing.

* measuringworth.com

Max Hoehn Page

Daniel Newell Page

Henry Charles Weihe/Charles White Page