General George Custer's Long Journey To The Little Big Horn

George Armstrong Custer was a United States cavalry officer who served with distinction in the American Civil War and was the youngest ever brevet brigadier general at age twenty-three (History.com Staff, 2009). Custer had various disciplinary issues throughout his career ranging from abandoning his post for romantic reasons to leaving the field without searching for a slain reconnaissance unit (History.com Staff, 2009). His expedition in 1874 that led to the discovery of gold, was in violation of the treaty of 1868 wherein the Black Hills were recognized to belong to the Sioux Nation. Custer was known to have a reckless temperament and was often at odds with superior officers. Nevertheless, as a Lieutenant Colonel assigned to the Seventh Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Riley, Kansas, Custer was tasked to lead the force against Sitting Bull’s alliance (History.com Staff, 2009).

Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led an Army expedition in the Black Hills (present-day South

The Peninsula, Va. Lt. George A. Custer with dog. 1862. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. www.loc.gov/item/cwp2003000100/PP/. Web. 28 Mar. 2017.

The distinctions between Crazy Horse and General George Armstrong Custer are discussed throughout historical works in depth. The main idea that separates the two men is the perspective that they are viewed though. Historical scholarship and other work uses the battle of the Little Bighorn as a uniting factor of the two men, but little more thought or work is given to the matter of the men, mainly due to prejudice views of that time as well as present day.

Due to its historical significance, this park is officially considered an historic site. In fact, it has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. Staying true to its 19th-century roots, the park contains unique Civil-War era earthwork structures that were constructed in 1862. The area first served as the home for Confederate soldiers, but it was eventually taken over by the Union Army. To get a true sense of this land and its importance, you only need to take a look at the earth below your feet. The contours of the land show the story of the construction of the structures. They were constructed in a strategic manner to look over the St. Johns River so the troops would watch for enemy ships. To create a more authentic feel, replica cannons were added to the camp. Also, a stone monument was erected to serve as a testament to the troops who served there.

Today, the Brandywine Battlefield historic site sits on fifty two acres of the location that was the location of the encampment of the Continental Army. The historic site offers many

“Custer’s luck! The biggest Indian village on the continent!” Supposedly, these were the last words recorded to have been uttered by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer before the infamous battle that would claim his life and the lives of hundreds of soldiers (Dippie 2). Nearly a century and a half later, this conflict is immersed in just as much controversy as it was the day it occurred. The Battle of Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand is perhaps more famous due to the difficulty of differentiating the myths versus the facts, rather than its actual historical significance in the 19th century. The different interpretations via historians, archaeologists, and Native Americans have contributed to the positive and negative versions of the battle that exist today. However, by understanding the basics, conflict, and research that surrounds the Battle of Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand, one can form their own opinion and better interpret the ways in which it is portrayed in media and throughout time by interested persons and descendent communities.

The 16th president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, in his speech, “The Second Inaugural Address”, expresses his gratitude for the soldiers that died at Gettysburg and the importance of supporting the cause to preserve the Union. Lincoln’s purpose is to honor the lost souls of the brave me that sacrificed themselves out on that battlefield by dedicating this national cemetery and to encourage the people not to give up on the war. He adopts a strong and determined tone in order to boost citizens morale and give them hope that this war would be brought to a halt soon.

Kentucky is home to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace is near Hodgenville. It is basically a replica of the cabin Lincoln was actually born in. There is also a log cabin near Knob Creek where Lincoln lived when he was 2-7. Cumberland Falls State Resort is a park with a 68-foot waterfall that is called Niagara of the south. People visit Cumberland Falls when the moon is full and they can witness a moonbow, it is like a rainbow but when moonlight hits the water vapor from the falls

In the years leading up to 1876 white settlers began to move west. Acts like the Homestead Act gave an incentive for settlers to attempt to settle on land in the west. “After 5 years on the land, the original filer was entitled to the property, free and clear, except for a small registration fee”(Homestead Act (1862)). The government had no respect for the land already inhabited by Native Americans. Settlers started settling on land that was already home to Native Americans. According to the National Park Service in 1886 a treaty was signed by Lakota leaders agreeing to live on a reservation. The breaking point happened in 1874 when Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer started an exploration in the black hills inside of the Great Sioux

Fort Monroe also known as “Freedom’s Fortress” is located near Hampton, VA. Which was at that time a small pretty village on the water’s edge. In 1860 the town and surrounding county had about 3,100 whites, 2,400 enslaved persons, and 200 free persons of color. It was designed by Simon Bernard, it was at one time aide de camp to Napoleon Bonaparte and was completed by 2nd Lt. Robert E. Lee from 1831-1834.This citadel was erected at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on a 565-acre peninsula that was carved by the James river and York rivers known as Old Point Comfort.

If you grew up in the United States then you have heard about The Battle of Little Big Horn, however you might remember it as being called Custer’s last stand. Hearing the title might bring up some knowledge of the battle, but why was the battle fought and did it serve a greater purpose? This paper will show how and why the battle happened and why the Battle of Little Bighorn could have been avoided as well as some of the effects the battle had.

After the Civil War ended, Custer was offered the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with the command of the 7TH Cavalry Regiment4. Custer served in many campaigns the U.S. Cavalry conducted including Major General Hancock’s campaign against the Cheyenne and the Battle of Washita River against the Black Kettle5.

I believe he is again focusing on preserving the country and uniting all Americans, North and South, behind the nation and reminding them of our common history. President Lincoln also refers to the dedication of the Battlefield of Gettysburg, emphasizing that this is,” a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.” Clearly, Lincoln wants to remind all citizens that these thousands of casualties were for a great purpose of preserving this country, not dividing it through a Civil War.

First, it is an accredited historic site that was earmarked for restoration plans in 1927 by the War Department with an intention to preserve the location of the Civil War Battle of Stones River. Second, the battle that occurred at the site led to extraordinary casualties of soldiers of more than 23000 military men. The victory and capture of Middle Tennessee and was important to Abraham Lincoln as without it the Emancipation Proclamation would have been ruined ("Tennessee Archaeology e-journal - TN.Gov", 2014). Third, this was a political success for Lincoln as his men had lost in many previous battles such as The Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, weakening his unity endeavor to bring the country together after fierce continued civil war in America (Thompson, 2014). The victory at Stones River assured the Northern Republic of success in the war. Four, the organization of the site reflects the reality of the war that took place there with dispersed mini-sites including General Bragg Headquarters, Redoubt Brannan, Curtain Wall No. 2 and Maj. General Rosecrans Headquarters (Thompson, 2014). Thus, the site improvisation captures key aspects of the Civil War Battle of Stones