Recommended Reading Part II

Back in April I recommended some of my favorite books dealing with Custer, the 1874 Black Hills Expedition, the Little Big Horn, and pretty much all things Custer. I put a list together of my top ten favorite books on Custer and I've been thinking about another list of related books.

These books are related in nature but are not Custer or Little Big Horn specific. I have found all these especially enjoyable reading and can highly recommend them. So here we go in no particular order...

THE BLOODY BOZEMAN tells the stories of the hearty settlers who came looking for gold and adventure. It sets the scene for all that was to happen on the western plains. From the gold fever that drove prospectors and fortune hunters through the dangerous country to the military establishments that cropped up in response to the Indian attacks, this is one great read. It gives you a whole new respect for what people endured to try and get their share of the American dream. It includes great information on Fort Phil Kearny, Red Cloud's War, the Fetterman Fight, and more. This one is a must read.


PIONEER DAYS IN THE BLACK HILLS by John McClintock is a really fun and informative book if you have an interest in Black Hills History. Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, the Homestake Mine, stage robberies, murder, and more are all in here. McClintock had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He witnessed much of the early history of Deadwood and the Black Hills.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INDIAN WARS by Greg Michno is exactly what it sounds like. It's a listing of every significant battle and skirmish with Indians from 1850 through 1890. The Battle of the Little Big Horn was NOT the only fight in the history of of western expansion. There were many fights that no one has heard of and that barely warrant a roadside marker. Hundreds of listings make this a thorough book to own and one to carry with you in the car when you're out exploring.

GOLD IN THE BLACK HILLS by Watson Parker covers the early history of gold seekers to the Black Hills. Not only is the big strike in the northern Hills at Lead and Deadwood covered but also the smaller strikes all over the area. There are many interesting stories and anecdotes about the cast of characters that etched their names in the history of the Black Hills country.

AMERICAN CARNAGE: WOUNDED KNEE, 1890 by Jerome Greene is the definitive work on this sad period in our history. There are many wonderful photos and maps to help you understand what happened along Wounded Knee Creek. The footnotes and bibliography alone are worth the price of the book. This book will put you in history. This one cannot be recommended enough.

In December of 1866, soldiers from Fort Phil Kearny were sent to protect a wood supply party from Indian attack. Captain William Judd Fetterman led eighty men into an ambush. Forts had been established along the Bozeman Trail to protect wagon trains on their journey to the gold fields of Montana. The defeat of Fetterman by Red Cloud and his warriors was the beginning of the end for the forts along the Bozeman. Shortly after the soldiers left the fort in 1868, the Indians burned the "Hated Post of the Little Piney" to the ground. This one of the best books on the topic.

This is one of the most interesting and enjoyable books I have ever read. Short biographies (most around 3-4 pages) tell the stories of the cast of characters who were associated with Fort Phil Kearny. Not only are Carrington, Red Cloud, Fetterman, and the "superstars" included but so are several others such as George Templeton, James Beckwourth, Pierre "French Pete" Gazeau, and Adolph Metzger. Each little biography will pull you in and introduce you to another fascinating aspect of Bozeman Trail/Fort Phil Kearny history.

Ever wonder what life was like as a trooper in the 19th century frontier army? If so, this is the book for you. This book includes a chronology of some of the major Indian battles and an incredible amount of detail in the lives of the soldiers. The lives and stories of officers are somewhat well documented. The lives of the enlisted "grunts" on the other hand, are more of a mystery. This book brings to light the life of the everyday army trooper. This is one of those books you can just pick up, open it to any page, and start reading.

BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES OF THE GREAT SIOUX WAR 1876-1877: THE MILITARY VIEW by Jerome Greene outlines not only the better known Battle of the Little Big Horn and Battle of the Rosebud but several smaller scraps between the army and Indians. This book contains a great account of the Sibley Scout, an exciting confrontation between a small group of scouts and soldiers and a large party of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. Believe it or not, Custer's Last Stand was not the only Indian fight during the 1876-1877 time period.

SIOUX WAR DISPATCHES: REPORTS FROM THE FIELD, 1876-1877 by Marc Abrams is a collection of first-hand accounts from newspaper correspondents. You will see the Sioux War through the eyes of the newspaper reports of the day. Follow along with the action as the reporters, both civilian and military, relate the  happenings from the campaign trail. Fascinating reading and a wonderful vault of primary source material.




There you go. That's the top ten list of Custer related books. Some are more directly associated than others but all are enjoyable reads and you will definitely come away with a better understanding of the time period. As with any list, I couldn't include everything. I'm sure some will disagree with my choices. That's fine. Make up your own list. And once you've one that, share it with me. I'd love to see it and hear your comments.

Happy time traveling!