One Crowded Hour: The Little Bighorn

 David Larson's One Crowded Hour: The Little Bighorn weighs in at over 400 and 60 some pages, so it's not a light read. For those of you new to U.S. History who have never heard of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Gall, Reno, Benteen, or Custer, I can't imagine how you've remained ignorant of one of the most exciting and controversial episodes of the Old West and The Indian Wars. Here are the facts, not all of which are without dispute: In June of 1876, the U.S. Army sent three columns into Montana Territory after Sioux and Cheyenne who had left the reservation. 

(Note, the autographed book giveaway is down to the last two days. Enter now to win). 

Custer led the Seventh Cavalry in one of these columns and his scouts found a large Indian village camped along the Little Bighorn River. The natives were not only restless, finding that no casino plans had been formalized, they were expecting blue-coated guests. Thousands of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho had gathered for the dance. Custer's scouts, including Crow and Arikara, warned him that the number of hostiles in the valley exceeded the recommended daily allowance by several thousand calories. While Custer may not have said, "Nothing in this world is more surprising that the attack without mercy," he nevertheless persisted in ordering an attack. While Benteen was tasked with accompanying the slow train of mules with packs, Custer ordered Reno to charge from the south, while he took a larger force to attack from the north, apparently planning to capture the women and children as hostages to persuade the warriors to surrender. 

Reno's diversionary attack was successful in that more Indians than he had ever seen before counterattacked him. His force dismounted and were driven into the trees. Realizing they had situated themselves perfectly for an opportunity to die in place, Reno led a retreat back across the river and up a coulee. The native attack eventually relented and Benteen joined Reno, but the pack mules with the ammunition and supplies were slow moving.

Custer had been making his way north and had previously sent Benteen a message that a big village had been located. He called for Benteen to come quickly and to bring the packs--two seemingly contradictory directives.

While Reno and Benteen dawdled, with Reno's exhausted men and horses trying to recover from the devastating counterattack, Custer and his force rolled on the search tables. Instead of defenseless hostages, the dice revealed all the warriors that had been attacking Reno, and probably even more, all dressed up and looking to fill their dance cards. The music started and the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho utterly exhausted their dance partners, surrounding and overwhelming Custer's 210 men with their own variant of the attack without mercy--Custer was surprised to death, but the arrows and bullets contributed.

Reno and Benteen didn't bug out during the night, with many wounded who would have been left behind, and spent another day under Indian attack with little cover. The arrival of the relief force finally persuaded any remaining hostiles to seek a new venue. The Seventh Cavalry had lost 270 men with many more wounded. The survivors posted reviews indicating, "No stars given. Not what we expected. Would not recommend."

David Larson, of course, relates the story much better and with a heavier word count. His book is a work of fiction heavily blended with, and I believe, consistent with at least some versions of the facts. I initially enjoyed the tale as it revolved around Custer and the major army players, their plans and interactions. Once the story turned to the two young men who wanted to join the cavalry, Will and Jake, I thought it became overwrought and forced. The descriptions and dialog were off putting. However, I merely skimmed most of that. I wanted a fast-paced tale steeped in historical fact rather than speculation or pure fiction.

My mixed feelings took a turn for the better once we got into the approach of the battle and the actual clash of arms. Larson successfully conveys the savagery and horror of the battle from the perspective of the outnumbered troopers. He charges in with Reno and the action never falters, following companies and individuals through the bloody conflict. The story becomes a gripping and compelling read.

Following the last stand and its aftermath, Larson recounts the subsequent lives of several of the survivors from the Little Bighorn until their deaths. If I remember correctly, the last survivor died in 1950.

The thrilling tale of the exciting fight on the banks of the Greasy Grass substantially outweighs the overwrought aspects of the account. I give it five sabers out of five. 

This may be your final chance to get in on the autographed giveaway.