Custer's 7th: Tom Custer with Wild Bill Hickok, Rain-in-the-Face, & Lost Love

Рет қаралды 9,163

Ай бұрын

Like his famous brother, General George Armstrong Custer, Tom fought in the US Army from the Civil War until the Battle of the Little Bighorn. But there are plenty of myth and mystery that surrounds this young man's life, from tales of him fighting Wild Bill Hickok, to the capture of Rain-in-the Face, to lady troubles...
...
Reading List:
Tom Custer: Ride to Glory, by Carl F. Day
The Other Custers, by Bill Yenne
General Custer’s Libbie, By Lawrence Frost
Washita, by Jerome Greene
Custer and His Last Battle: The Benteen- Goldin Letters, edited by John Carroll
Indian Raids & Massacres, by Jeff Broome
Boots and Saddles, by Elizabeth Custer
Tenting on the Plains, by Elizabeth Custer
My Life on the Plains, by George Custer
Fates Change Horses: Camping with the Custers on the Heart River, by Gary Stewart
The Officer Corps of Custer’s Seventh Cavalry, James B. Klokner
Articles and Links:
Annie D’Onofrio, “Smithie We Hardly Knew You” CBMHA Symposium
Mark Miner’s www.minerd.com
...
If you too have a passion for the 7th Cavalry, please consider joining:
Little Bighorn Associates
www.thelbha.com
Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association
custerbattlefield.org
Custer Association of Great Britain
www.english-westerners-society.org.uk
*PLEASE DONT FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, & STAY TUNED FOR NEW EPISODES!*
I love hearing suggestions of what you’d like to see next!
For more about my current work-in-progress or my published books (The Confusion of Languages and You Know When the Men Are Gone, both with Putnam/Penguin), please see my author website:
www.siobhanfallon.com
Or follow me on Instagram and Facebook:
siobhanfallonwriter
THANK YOU!

Пікірлер: 176

@tudyk21 Ай бұрын

22:16 I agree with you that the boy Tommy has a Custeresque appearance.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Right? Similar narrow eyes that Tom has...

@Defender78 Ай бұрын

2:19 Tom C also looks a ton like actor Glen Powell, from Top Gun

@zingwilder9989 Ай бұрын

Once again, Siobhan, you constructed another piece of the puzzle for me to gain an understanding of the late 19th Century US Army on the western frontier. In addition, it was certainly a sad story of young Tommy Custer being disavowed by his father. Moreover, the nonsensical stories from the "Dime Novels" were detrimental. One may as well have sat down to read a Superman or Batman comic book and call it "history." Unfortunately, at the time, there were very few Robert Utley's, Paul Hutton's or Siobhan Fallon's.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Kevin, thank you so much. I am humbled by your continued kindness and lovely support. The comic book connection is so true! But if people were making up stories about Tom, maybe at least it meant he was famous in his way, and not forgotten. I'm happy to do something small to try to make sure he's not forgotten too. And you are so good to support that 🙏

@zingwilder9989 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 You are more than welcome, ma'am. Personally, I don't think that Tom Custer will ever be forgotten. Being awarded two Medals of Honor, alone, was something beyond extraordinary. However, you are indeed generating a more complete picture of his life, to include showing the dynamics of the Custer family. There was certainly celebrity, but no wealth.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@zingwilder9989 very true about the medals of honor! In that respect, he is lucking than George Custer, as Tom always has his MOH/ Civil War accolades and isn't only remembered in hindsight for the Little Bighorn!

@webbsamples Ай бұрын

Excellent installmentt Siobhan! A lot here I have never heard before. Your approach to history rounds out these players and gives us insight on how complicated all of them really were.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

You are wonderful, Webb. I so appreciate your continued support and kind comments here 🙏

@webbsamples Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 That means much coming from you. When I see great work being done on You Tube, I want that person to know it's getting through. Some of the channels I've watched have over 1 million subcribers because they just kept putting out great programs. Siobhan, you deserve the loyalty that an ever-growing number of subscribers are showing. Much respect.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@webbsamples that's the loveliest message. People have been so good to me here 🙏 I'll keep at it and I know I'll get better. This summer I'm hoping to get better equipment to get rid of the sound issues, etc, and update the graphics. I love doing these videos and am excited every time I start a new one. And folks like you, Webb, make me feel so grateful that people out there "get" the work I'm doing. As always, thank you!

@sabresix7933 Ай бұрын

@SiobhanFallon7 Hello. I've just returned from a second visit to the battlefield whilst on holiday. I live in Ireland.Got a question for you that may save me wading through more material to find the answer. Ive pondered it since my return.On 21st June, Terry, Custer and Gibbon met on the Far West before Custers fateful day. Gibbons Montana column had been on the trail for quite a while. Can you enlighten me. How did Gibbon advance to the Far West meeting?. Did he leave the majority of his command? Did the Far West go pick him up? I find plenty of reference of the meeting but little on how Gibbon reached Terry and Custer. And then how did he return to his command. If he came forward was he not in risk of stumbling into Indians as their locations was not fully known..I understand they had no knowledge of Crook and the Rosebud at the time.( maybe wrong on that) I'm sure if I continued to look I'd find more but maybe you could enlighten me. Thankyou.

@anulfadventures Ай бұрын

Once again, as always; brilliant story telling.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

You are awesome! Thank you! 🙏

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em Ай бұрын

He’s always been a hero to me. More than his older brother. Thank you for doing the research and putting this informative and interesting video together.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Much appreciated! Please let me know if there are other videos you've like too 🙏

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 Thomas French bio and his true thoughts about the LBH. Always wondered about French’s honest assessment of Reno’s “charge” and retreat from the village and his detailed first person description of this event. I know he wrote letters about his true feelings. And I believe he along with Weir were one of the sources used in several newspaper articles that were critical of Reno’s decisions, actions and sobriety during the battle.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em if you haven't seen, here's what I put together on French... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bcloeLx20d7QaGQ.htmlsi=Vpf44oMGalx8FIsc

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 yes I think I forgot you did lol. I’ll watch it again.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em 🤣 it was one of my shorter videos and Thomas French deserves more. Maybe I'll circle back to his story someday!

@keithagn Ай бұрын

Looking forward for the next part of Tom's life story. Thank you! Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Keith!! I'm aiming to get the final installment up by the anniversary, June 25th!

@mickymantle3233 Ай бұрын

Great research & narration. Very interesting.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Hey! You really did come back, Mickey, and watch!! Thanks so much 🙏

@mickymantle3233 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 It's my pleasure. These are quality uploads. Subscribed.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@mickymantle3233 much appreciated! Looking forward to hearing from you in the future 🤗

@WayneVeck-yb3ul 11 күн бұрын

Thank you Auntie Goodnight from the UK

@veloadventureswithdavid8329 Ай бұрын

Thanks for all the work you do with these stories. You give these names in history life.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much. That's what I hope to do and I am grateful that you see it that way 🙏

@kcevans4321 Ай бұрын

I really appreciated this piece of history. What a life Tom Custer lived. Amazing that it was in the shadow of his brother. Which perhaps underscores what a larger-than-life GAC was, in the sense that few have even heard of his two-time medal of honour-winning brother!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Very true, and very sad! Though maybe each brother helped create the other in some way? Thanks so much, KC 😻

@dieternowatius5062 Ай бұрын

A good decision to portray this facetfull person in more than only 2 Parts 👍Many thanks again about this news of the past 😳

@sunnyjacksmack Ай бұрын

Another spell binder. In another time you would have done well entertaining guests with your beautifully told stories, possibly in a parlor during the times you research so well.

@58landman Ай бұрын

I believe you have done a fine job with the presentation of Tom Custer being the father of Tommy Custer. Their necks and shoulders are similar too.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much! You are right, I hadn't thought of the shoulders also being similar.

@MilesWalterKeogh Ай бұрын

Excellent as always! Many new informations! Thank you very much.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you!! I always love hearing from you!

@richanglin7994 Ай бұрын

You are such a wonderful,, engaging storyteller! Lots of details; always, always a great listen.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Rich!! 🤗

@jimmyz2098 Ай бұрын

More interesting information, and as always..... a lot of fun listening to you telling this great American history. I love learning about Little Big Horn, and the before, during and after. The little things. And the more obvious. I also love learning about things, events, and periods in American history that are often over-looked. On the other hand... I also love Revolutionary history. (Re) reading 1776 right now - but this time in my Truck. Also - I think my main love is Lewis and Clarke, and the Corp of Discovery. Undaunted Courage is my all-time favorite book. I would LOVE to hear you get into that, and do some of this type of thing, around that. That would be epic ! OK - All the best, Siobhan!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

You have a lot of incredible historical interests and reading lists, Jimmy. I bet we'd have some great conversations. I'm honored you are enjoying some of my videos! All best, Siobhan

@joesphmurphy4013 18 күн бұрын

Siobhan: Thanks again for a picture of how life was on the plains and the men and women who lived the hardships on the frontier. I noticed that Tommy Custer was listed as "Custar" in the census and the obituary cited him as Custer and Custar. There is no doubt in my mind that Tommy Custer was the son of Tom Custer. His rejection of Tommy is a mystery and we will never know why. I really enjoy your tidbits of info that bring to life the human quality that is often missing in telling the story of the Old West. Stay safe and I am looking forward to the next episode. 🤔

@SiobhanFallon7 18 күн бұрын

@joesphmurphy4013 thanks Joe! I agree with you, and think poor Tommy seems to be Tom's son. But the reasons it never worked out with his mom remain a sad mystery.

@alrude2847 Ай бұрын

Loved it. One of you best. Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Keep it up.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Yay!! Thank you!!

@EvelynFallon-sb6vs 29 күн бұрын

WOW. I love all of you videos! Thank you for posting this! I love it!

@bobmcmorris8797 Ай бұрын

Siobhan, we are on LBH Discussion Group together, we have commented on each other's posts. I stumbled across this while scrolling KZfaq. I had no idea you do this. I am very impressed, good job!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Bob!! So good of you to watch and comment. I love those Facebook pages and the wealth of info people share. So glad you took a spin here and found me 🙏📚

@brycesuderow3576 Ай бұрын

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to share information on Barnitz with you. He commanded the second Ohio cavalry, which was part of Pennington‘s brigade at five Forks.

@griffhenshaw5631 2 күн бұрын

Ive watched a few episodes. Appreciate the detail of that period and the custers as well as indian wars.

@SiobhanFallon7 2 күн бұрын

@griffhenshaw5631 Thank you so much!

@chuckmyers7698 Ай бұрын

All of your videos are done with perfection, excellent research. Enjoy them very much. Thank you so much.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Chuck!! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a kind comment! 🤗

@bougeac Ай бұрын

Awesome as usual! Keep ‘em coming 🙌

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Ha! Thank you! You know I will 😉

@Jay_Hall Ай бұрын

Wow, Tommy Custer! I never knew. Great work Siobhan. Hmmmm.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Jay! I found this the most exciting part of the research myself. Poor kid.

@christopherfoster3744 Ай бұрын

Hi ! I don't know what to say but congratulations, because all your videos are so good ! Thanks again ! 🙏✌️🇺🇲

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Christopher, you just put a huge smile on my face. Thank you for the kind words!

@stevengamble2956 Ай бұрын

So Tom Custer was as much a wild charactor as his brother George!! Great story telling again, look forward to its conclution😊

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Ha ha yes, Steven, he was. I'd even say Tom was wilder, as he drank and caroused even more than George!

@talkietoaster4626 Ай бұрын

Thank you for your work! I'm always happy to see a new video

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

And I am always happy to hear from you!!

@oneida41859 Ай бұрын

Loved it! I learned quite a bit about Tom Custer. Thank you for all your hard work and research. Take care!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

So good of you to say. I learned so much about Tom myself here and I am really looking forward to digging into any testimony I can find about his role at the Little Bighorn...

@oneida41859 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 I would love to see an in-depth study on Custers civilian scouts. To me they were a fascinating lot. Thank you. Take care now!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@oneida41859 oh, Charley Reynolds is in the line up! Also Fred Gerard, who I find especially fascinating as he had an Indian wife, and their daughters went into a convent.

@gar9429 Ай бұрын

Very interesting. Thank you again Siobhan! If I remember correctly Rain-In-The -Face revenge was carried out on Tom at the Little Bighorn unfortunately!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

We'll see.... 😉 Thank you for taking the time to comment, Gar!

@pigmanobvious Ай бұрын

What a wealth of information! Thank you for helping me to continue building on to my knowledge of history. Looking forward to the last chapter.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much!! I want to get up the final installment on the anniversary, June 25th! Cross your fingers for me I get it done!

@pigmanobvious Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 you go girl!!!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@@pigmanobvious 🤣🤣🙌

@pigmanobvious Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 I have often wondered about the start of the Korean War.. a coincidence?

@barbaraanneneale3674 Ай бұрын

This is a premier example of spectacular research. But more importantlate it is a spectacular bit of narrative and storytelling. Once again, you have managed to humanize these characters beyond all believe. That should read belief. But I refuse to fight my grumbling anymore to correct it. And apparently it doesn't like being called a grimlin. But seriously from the hilarious To the tragic, these people were alive. They were heroic and lazy. Stupid and smart. Vain and selfless. In other words, just like all of us. Gloriously and sadly, all too human. Congratulations once again. I cannot wait for the next installment.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Oh Barbara!! That's exactly what I hope comes across! How human they are, and relatable, no matter how heroic or flawed. Thank you for seeing it! 🎉🙏🎉

@barbaraanneneale3674 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 Are you kidding me? You have succeeded so far beyond any other authof this period That it's hard for me to conceive of. Son of the morning, stor did a good job. You're doing a great 1.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@@barbaraanneneale3674 💕💕💕 I am blushing! Thank you, Barbara!

@bobmcmorris8797 Ай бұрын

Excellent presentation Soibhan, I am so glad I subscribed!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Bob!! 🥳🎉

@davec4224 Ай бұрын

You amaze me..: this is so awesome!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Aww, Dave, you are wonderful. Thank you.

@robertkramer8133 Ай бұрын

Siobhan, thank you so very much for sharing the link of Beenteen’s baseball club and the story of Emily Bell. Always amazed me how a lady can live for 80 years and maybe only one picture? Could the family hold on to their mementos? Side note, for me I’ve always believed since Reno and Lt Hodgson were close friends, it just makes sense he would share his personal demons with Reno. We know Hodgson started this resignation application and withdrew it upon the expedition. Yet, he was under pressure under the belief he impregnated Emily Bell. For me, this makes logical sense why Reno would try his own maneuvers based on what Hodgson shared with him in private previously.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

I think so too-- Reno thought Mrs Bell was an easy mark, and infuriated when she wasn't. Still terrible behavior from a commander, but I can see some of his thought process here at least.

@markhubanks3715 Ай бұрын

Great job and research Siobhan. Throughly enjoyed this video.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thanks so much, Mark!!

@keddieverbanick9850 Ай бұрын

I always look forward to your videos. You really breathe life into these stories from the old west. Instantly "liked"!!!!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@RailfanDownunder Ай бұрын

😊 superb work again

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@mikehunt-fx7sf Ай бұрын

Just stumbled on your new video and wanted to be the first to comment on what I know is going to be fantastic!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

You are the BEST!! Much appreciated, Mike! Please let me know what you think when you finish watching 🙏

@mikehunt-fx7sf Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 Finally had a chance and just finished watching. So much incredible stuff I don't know where to begin so I won't. I'm too slow of a typer! lol !! But I 100% agree with you that was Tom Custers son. Saw it instantly! And the rattlesnakes made me chuckle because my sister sent me a photo of a couple of them mating in the sun on her driveway at her house close to the Little Bighorn. They looked like tangled spaghetti. lol !! I got struck by one at The Reno-Benteen site years ago. It left two fang marks in my boot. Learned my lesson not to go off path! You do incredible work Siobhan and I actually get excited(which is hard to do) when a new video of yours pops up. Looking forward to part three! Can I ask you a question? Years ago a friend of mine told me out of the blue one day that he was named (John Armstrong) after his great grandfather who was killed with Tom Custer on the hill. It blew my mind but nothing more was said. I was wandering with your expertise and research if you have ever heard of him and who he was? If you ever have the time please let me know. You really are the best Siobhan and thanks for taking me back to those times in history!!

@walterbrown9651 Ай бұрын

I have been awaiting this installment and enjoyed it so much! I hope to be out 6/25/24

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Yay Walter! Thank you! And how amazing that you will be on the battlefield soon! I hope to have the final installment about Tom at the Little Bighorn posted by the June 25th anniversary!

@walterbrown9651 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 I eagerly anticipate!

@gator83261 Ай бұрын

Very good video.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thanks, Gator! Always great to hear from you!

@robertkramer8133 Ай бұрын

Another outstanding presentation. I don’t know how you find these rare photos like the Beenteen group one for example, but I’m so impressive and always looking forward to more. I wanted to see a picture of Emily Bell for example for years and years, yet you just drop it like it’s a Three Musketeers commercial.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Ha!! Thank you, Robert!!! I managed to get to the Hargrett years ago when I was first interested about writing this story. And the Benteen collection would blow your mind-- it's incredible. But I know so much more now and wonder how many details I missed. So someday I hope to go back. But yes, his photos are wild and Benteen liked to stamp himself on everything with his big swirling writing. The Emily Bell was a huge find for me too!! I had been looking for ages. Let me find the link for you...

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Scroll down past the baseball article and you'll find an article about James Bell and then another about Emily... www.menwithcuster.com/in-the-news/

@robertkramer8133 Ай бұрын

Thank you and plus a baseball article to boot!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@@robertkramer8133 🤣🙌

@striperking6083 Ай бұрын

As usual the best from Siobhan !

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

You are so kind. Thank you again for the positive reinforcement!! 😉

@thanemathis5914 Ай бұрын

Very good job bringing the Custer brothers to life. I have always believed it likely that Rain-In-The-Face, carried out his threat that afternoon on June 25, 1876, given the severe mutilation of Tom's body as compared to others. After the battle the Indians involved would have hidden their involvement for fear of retribution.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Hello there, Thane! I think it's all rather shady myself. Tom's desecration was too deliberate. I think the Lakota might not have known they were initially fighting Custer. But too many of those warriors had crossed paths with the 7th. Some of them must have realized.

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 some of them might have known the 7th Cav was probably the only Regiment on the Plains that had all their Companies use horses of the same color. However, I don’t know when the 7th started this practice. Did they do this at the Washita and Yellowstone Campaign?

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@@Redwhiteblue-gr5em they did!! Right before the Washita!! Wow, great insight!!!!! I don't think anyone has pointed that out before as far as I know!!!!! 🐎🐎🐎

@Redwhiteblue-gr5em Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 yes it’s pretty obvious the warriors payed attention to horses lol. I read in many Indian accounts how they pointed out the movements of the gray horse troop.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@@Redwhiteblue-gr5em Yes!!

@josephinekush5056 Ай бұрын

Nice to see the Frederic Remington engraving of the Canadian trading post with one of our gallant "Riders of the Plains" standing watch to insure the transactions were satisfactory to all parties.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Wow!! I did not even realize it was a Canadian scene 🤦🏼‍♀️!! Thank you so much, George!

@josephinekush5056 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 In the early 1880's Remington spent time in western Canada & did series of paintings & sketches of the North-West Mounted Police that were subsequently published in the United States. In summing up his experience in Canada he said, that though he'd traveled all over the American continent, not until he saw the Blackfoot & Cree of Canada did he see people who embodied the true physical appearance of the Indians as described by Fenimore Cooper. ""They are a magnificent species." From that point onward the artist used his photos & sketches of the Blackfoot & Cree as models in all of his future work.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@josephinekush5056 wow, that's a great detail about the Cree and Blackfoot being physically superior-- or at least ideally "Indian"!

@Storm-lg4mx Ай бұрын

The incident with the horse, pool table, and Wild Bill, is referred to in the Charles Bronson movie, The White Buffalo.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Really? Wow, thank you! That's a really connection.

@user-ys9mf8sx7p Ай бұрын

It's identical when you line up Tommy Custer's older photo with Tom Custer's older photo. If I was a betting man I'd definitely vote that he's Tom's son. But Tommy Custer's mom even looks like Tom Custer quite a bit as well. The nose and eyes.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

The town seemed to think he was a genuine Tom Custer in that obit! Which says a great deal in itself.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Thanks so much for joining the conversation, Steven!

@user-ys9mf8sx7p Ай бұрын

Love your channel 👍

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@user-ys9mf8sx7p thank you!! 🙌

@user-ez5fc5lp6j Ай бұрын

Young lady you need to stop you are keeping me up all night..lol 😂

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Ha! You have plenty of time to sleep until the next one ;)

@joedyer5486 Ай бұрын

I wish Captain Custer had accepted his son. It's sad to think of death in battle and no acknowledgement of the boy to carry on his name and for his son to never know the man or the soldier that fathered him.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

I absolutely agree. And the comfort Tommy may have offered Emanual and Maria when so many of their children were wiped out at the Little Bighorn. And the comfort to poor Tommy, to have known and been able to be proud of his father. All of it is so sad.

@joedyer5486 Ай бұрын

I think it comforted me and made me more bold and able to lead in combat knowing my two sons were back in Georgia and my blood wouldn't die if I mate a trooper's fate in Baghdad or in the mountains of Afghanistan.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@joedyer5486 yes. I know my husband felt the same way, having a family to return to made the sacrifice a little easier, and the return was constantly on his mind, and if he didn't make it back, we would never forget him.

@Gene-kl1br Ай бұрын

I see Father Son also ! Tom Custer

@scaredy-cat Ай бұрын

Tommy is surely Tom Custers

@brycesuderow3576 Ай бұрын

Custer and Wesley Merritt were rivals. And we’re not on the best of terms. Sometime around 1869. Custer invited Merritt to join him out west on a buffalo hunt. I think the whole idea was to play a practical joke of some sort onMerritt. I don’t remember the details.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

One of my favorite stories!! I think Annie Gibson mentions it in her diary, printed by Brian Pohanka! I'll try to dig it up abd share here with you, Bryce, when I find it!

@michaelhart6318 Ай бұрын

Rebecca Minerd's photo bares a close resemblance to "Big Nose" Kate of Doc Holliday fame.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Interesting. I can see it!

@scaredy-cat 25 күн бұрын

I think Tom, a two time medal of honor recipient, could not be buried with George at West Point, is not right. Further he is a brother of a West Point graduate.

@SiobhanFallon7 25 күн бұрын

Perhaps it never occurred to them to try to bury Tom at West Point? I'm not sure. The other officers were being sent to Leavenworth, maybe it was just a given Tom would go there. Whereas Libbie specifically requested George go to West Point 🤷🏼‍♀️

@michaelhart6318 Ай бұрын

41:55 Last Indian on the far right next to the women...is that the Brule Chief Spotted Tail? Maybe not, he was a big dude.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Michael, I'll dig it up, I know I have notes on the fella... let me get back to you later when I find out!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Michael, this is what I found: July of 1875, this photo was taken on the front porch of Custer’s home, or the Commander’s Quarters, at Fort Abraham Lincoln. There are different opinions on the identity of the Native American seen here to the left of Libbie Custer. Some say that it was the Hunkpapa warrior Long Solider, who was at Fort Lincoln for the peace treaties, and who was incredibly tall. But the biographer of Bloody Knife, Ben Innis, ID’s this man as Bloody Knife, who was only 5’7. I don't think he looks like Bloody knife myself.

@michaelhart6318 Ай бұрын

Evidently Fred & Kate (Trabbie) weren't members of the "Custer Clan"

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

No they were not 😉 Have you seen my Benteen videos, by chance, Michael? I get a kick out of Benteen and his very particular point of view.

@brycesuderow3576 Ай бұрын

I have some doubts about whether you’re right about the incident between the seventh cavalry shot soldiers and wild Bill Hickok. I tried to ask a British friend of mine who is an expert on Hickok and learned that he’s dead, he died in 2015. I’m visiting several Facebook sites on the wild west and asking the members which historians are the greatest experts on Hickok.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Do let me know what they say! The soldiers were Longerman and Kyle/ Kile. Kyle (sometimes seen as Kelly) died and Longerman was court martialed. I'm curious!

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Author Jeff Broome is active on Facebook too and might be able to share more details.

@tudyk21 Ай бұрын

38:30 Now, is that Bloody Knife lurking on the porch?

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Ha!! Good eye! Some folks think so, but I read a compelling argument that it was not Bloody Knife, but a visiting Lakota warrior who was there during one of the treaty signings.

@tudyk21 Ай бұрын

Is he in the center of this photo: 40:18?

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@tudyk21 yes!! Doesn't he have swagger? Bloody Knife exudes cool.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Found the info I was looking for, Tudy! July of 1875, this photo was taken on the front porch of Custer’s home, or the Commander’s Quarters, at Fort Abraham Lincoln. There are different opinions on the identity of the Native American seen here to the left of Libbie Custer. Some say that it was the Hunkpapa warrior Long Solider, who was at Fort Lincoln for the peace treaties, and who was incredibly tall. But the biographer of Bloody Knife, Ben Innis, ID’s this man as Bloody Knife, who was only 5’7. I don't think he quite looks like Bloody knife myself.

@tudyk21 Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 , no rest for Siobhan! 😁

@tbenedict6335 Ай бұрын

They were not choir boys and i imagine young Tom's parents were not happy with a illegitimate grandson. They either didnt want the scandal or disapproved of the young lady, perhaps her entire family. I have to wonder about his character knowing she named the boy custer and not one custer family member acknowledged his claim or gave a reason why the boy might not have been Tom's son. Don't do the crime if you can't serve the time.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Yes, and the fact that the town seemed to think Tommy was a Custer-- from the Sons of the Veterans to the obituary. Emanual and Maria Custer were so devastated by the death of so many Custers at the Little Bighorn, yet they never sought out this boy. I do wonder if maybe Emanual and Maria didn't know the whole story, as it was impolite to talk about such things, and their own children probably wouldn't bring it up at gatherings? But surely Nevin would have heard something. Another mystery!

@willgic3964 26 күн бұрын

Great information. From my understanding, when Rain in the Face mentioned "being treated like a woman" he was regularly sodomized by some of his captures including Tom Custer. That's why he swore such vengeance on him. And he got it.

@SiobhanFallon7 25 күн бұрын

Oh my gosh I have never heard anything like that ever, what is the source for that? Rain was handcuffed to another soldier. And an old soldier later admitted to having befriended Rain in the Face and setting him and the other man free. He never said anything about that. Both made their getaways together. The worst testimony of Tom abusing Rain in the Face came from an ex Confederate soldier who sometimes worked as a scout. He said he heard that Tom slapped and kicked Rain, but his testimony was suspect as he wasn't there at the time.

@leecrump9404 Ай бұрын

What is consumption?

@murrayterry834 Ай бұрын

another aspect of the harshness of the untamed west. excellent work..lot of irony in their lives.

@davidcouch6514 Ай бұрын

TB.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Sorry, consumption is the Victorian name for tuberculosis. A terrible and contagious lung disease 😢

@leecrump9404 Ай бұрын

Thanks for letting me know I kept hearing stories about people in that time period having died from consumption so I knew it was something bad just didn't know what exactly consumption was thanks for sharing

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@leecrump9404 thank you for asking, Lee! I once heard it as a slow drowning as the persons lungs slowly fill to the point they can no longer breathe. That horrible image has stayed with me 😬

@GaryAshleycrashsmashley Ай бұрын

a lot of the men that join the military for the Indian wars were immigrants that wanted to get a little money, food and get closer to the gold fields. The reason Reynolds forced his men to destroy the pemmican and burn all the buffalo robes is because he hated the Irish and Germans in his command because he was a White man and didn't feel he needed to worry about those that are not white. Given the Custer family's station in that time I wonder if his drive was to because he is not a true WASP.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Gary, for some insights into Custer's feelings toward Native Americans, please see my Bloody Knife videos. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

@GaryAshleycrashsmashley Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 from reading the letters of my 3rd great grandfather it seems the feeling for the most part was a kind of sympathy and sadness. But it is clear that they see themselves as the ruling class of this country and families like the Custers could come up just like the old days when a person could be Knighted

@GaryAshleycrashsmashley Ай бұрын

@@SiobhanFallon7 I send some stuff on Custer to Fredick Wagner years ago that I found in the state archives i will see if i can find it

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

@@GaryAshleycrashsmashley wonderful, Gary, I'd really love to read!

@griffhenshaw5631 2 күн бұрын

James calhoun......any relation to famous senator.?

@SiobhanFallon7 Күн бұрын

Good question! I'll see if I can figure it out!

@Boomhower89 Ай бұрын

🇺🇸👍

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Hey Boom!!

@griffhenshaw5631 2 күн бұрын

Deer head pictured

@SiobhanFallon7 Күн бұрын

Whay's that, Griffen?

@brycesuderow3576 Ай бұрын

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to share information on Barnitz with you. He commanded the second Ohio cavalry, which was part of Pennington‘s brigade at five Forks.

@SiobhanFallon7 Ай бұрын

Yes! I'd love to do a video on Albert and Jenny someday!!! siobhan@siobhanfallon.com is a good email if you are able to share anything that way? Thank you, Bryce!