Howdy!
I hope each and every one of you is doing well on this 9th day in September. We have beautiful skies here, but it is a little colder than usual for this time of year. Well today I thought I’d share a little bit of history with you, almost straight-from-the-horse’s-mouth.
Ah, Custer’s Last Stand.
I know we have probably all seen some movie or another about Custer’s Last Stand. Or if not a movie, one might have read a book on the subject.
Well, here I sit with a book entitled, Pretty-Shield, Medicine Woman of the Crow by Frank B. Linderman. To the left is a picture of Pretty Shield and her husband, Goes-ahead. Both of them were older in this picture, but Pretty Shield’s husband, Goes-ahead, in his younger days, was a scout for Custer and was present on the day of the Little Bighorn Battle, sometimes called Custer’s Last Stand.
After the fight, Goes Ahead returned home — after some fighting along the way — and told this story to his wife, Pretty Shield of what he saw of the battle and how Custer died.
Below and to the right is a picture of Goes-ahead as a young man. Pretty Shield begins her story telling Mr. Linderman that she was a young woman when Sun-of-morning-star (Custer) fought the Lakota. Many Crow warriors went with General Terry and about a hundred and fifty more went with Geneal Crook (who got whipped by Crazy Horse and his warriors).
Many of the blue soldiers (military men) came on a Fire-boat (steamship) on the Elk (Yellowstone) River and asked the chief if some of their wolves (scouts) would scout for them. A council was held and the chief and several scouts agreed to help the blue soldiers. One of them was Pretty Shield’s husband, Goes-ahead.
Pretty Shield tells the story of two Crow women who fought with General Crook at the Rosebud. She gives much detail about these two women who fought and won. She makes a point of saying the men will not tell this story, but there were two women who fought that day.
So now we come to the part of the story about Son-of-the-morning-star. Their were six Crow warriors with Custer that day, Goes-ahead (her husband), White-swan, Half-yellow-face, Hairy-moccasin, White-man-runs-him and Curly. Her man, Goes-ahead and White-man-runs-him and Hairy-moccasin were ahead of Custer
Of course, soon the three scouts in advance could see that there were more Lakota and Cheyenne warriors in their large camp than the soldiers had bullets taken all together. This they told to Custer, but he didn’t listen to them. Instead, he asked if they knew of a good place to camp. They did. It was at a place called Thompson Creek.
To the left is another picture of Goes-ahead as a young man.
When morning came, the Crow scouts were out before the soldiers were awake and came to see the Lakota/Cheyenne camp. Goes-ahead told his wife, Pretty Shield, that he had never seen such a camp that big. They, of course, went and told this to Custer, but he would not listen.
Pretty Shield also makes a point that her man, Goes-ahead said that Son-of-morning-star was drinking too often from a bottle that had a straw. Another scout, Two-bodies told Custer he could yet get away, but again, Custer wouldn’t listen.
Goes-ahead then stripped himself for battle (in battle, the Indians usually stripped down to breechcloth and moccasins because they wanted nothing in their way when in the midst of battle. Curly, who said he was sick ran away. Pretty Shield says she knows these things are true because her man, Goes-ahead was with Custer and this is the story he told: I am now quoting from the book, page 236:
“My man, Goes-ahead, was with Son-of-the-morning-star when he rode down to the water of the Little Bighorn. He heard a Lacota call out to Two-bodies [Mitch Boyer, an interpreter], who rode beside Son-of-the-morning-star, and say ‘Go back, or you will die.’
“But Son-of-the-morning-star did not go back. He went ahead, rode into the water of the Little Bighorn, with Two-bodies on one side of him, and his flag on the other — and he died there, died in the water of the Little Bighorn, with Two-bodies, and the blue soldier carrying his flag.
The story goes on with how Goes-ahead left when Custer fell, but also tells of how he and the other scouts eventually retreated, fighting another battle along the way.
Pretty Shield ends her story thusly — and again I am quoting from the book:
“Yes,” she said, her voice trailing off to a murmur, “my man, Goes-ahead, was afraid that day; but he did not lie to me. The monument that white men have set up to mark the spot where Son-of-the-morning-star fell down, is a lie. He fell in the water,” she whispered, as though to the shade (or shadow — spirit) of her man Goes-ahead.
“Her attitude affected me (Linderman) deeply.”
And thus ends the story from the mouth of one of the Crow scouts who saw Custer fall at the Battle of Little Bighorn that day.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this bit of history which has been rewritten in movies and several books, none of which are true–if Goes-ahead, who was there and swears this story is true– says it happened differently.
I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history.
As I close this blog for today, i thought I should tell you that the entire Medicine Man series is on sale for today only.
SHE STEALS MY BREATH — on sale for $0.99
SHE CAPTURES MY HEART — on sale for $0.99
SHE PAINTS MY SOUL — on sale for $2.99
SHE BRINGS BEAUTY TO ME — on sale for $3.49
Only at Amazon. Now might be a good time to pick up your copy of each book in the series.
Amazon link to the series page: https://tinyurl.com/medicinemanseries
KAREN KAY aka GEN BAILEY is the multi-published author of American Indian Historical Romances. She has written for such prestigious publishers as AVON/HarperCollins, Berkley/Penguin/Putnam and Samhain Publishing. KAREN KAY’S great grandmother was Choctaw Indian and Kay is honored to be able to write about the American Indian Culture.
Please refer to https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules for all contest rules.
An interesting account.
It probably sounded better to say he died on the field rather than in the water. Both stories sound real, and since no one is alive to refute either account of what happened–any account told afterward by word-of-mouth is hearsay–I guess we’ll never know.
Hi Denise!
Thank you so much for your thoughts on this. I don’t know. I tend to believe Pretty Shield, since her husband was a scout for Custer — on his being one of Custer’s scouts that day is historically accurate — and the Indians at this time were not known to lie about their part in different battles.
But, maybe it’s just me. I try to research only the accounts I can get from people who were there at the time as they are telling it to an author. At any rate, it’s very interesting and I very much appreciate your comment.
Lovely to see you here, Denise.
Interesting article
Yes, I thought so, too. It actually comes from a book written in the early part of the last century, the interview of Pretty Shield was done from author, Frank B. Linderman. It’s a fascinating book if you would like to get and read it — an easy read. Anyway, hope you are doing well today.
History has always been unkind in the treating of Native Americans. All you have to do is watch Western movies!
I believe the story about Custer’s death. I really enjoyed reading this account.
Thank you.
Hi Billye!
You are so wonderful and Kind. I, too, share your views. One of the reasons why I write what I do. Thanks for coming here today and leaving a comment. : )
We visited Little Big Horn National Monument several years ago. It is a beautifully done representing the battle and honoring those on both sides of the battle. Shortly after the battle the sites where bodies of the fallen soldiers were marked. Some were buried where they fell. “1890, Army personnel erected white marble markers at the original solider gravesites.” About this time, some Native American families and elders also marked the spot where warriors fell with small stone cairns. “Beginning in 1999, after consultation with Cheyenne and Lakota tribes, the National Park Service began marking these sites with red granite markers to preserve them.” It is mentioned that Custer was down by the water. As Goes Ahead said, Custer may have fallen at the ford, but Goes Ahead left and Custer may not have been killed and was able to make it to the ridge. That is where his body was found and his grave is marked. It is also possible that his troops may have brought the body up there with them.
It is a very well developed National Monument. Some of the rangers belong to the tribes of the area and involved with the battle. The tribes have had much involvement with the development of the monument and how the story is told. I highly recommend a visit there if you can. It is well worth the trip.
Hi Patricia!
Like you, I’ve been to the Little Big Horn and the museum and store many times — it is very well done. As far as the Pretty Shield story, Goes-ahead did not leave the area right away. Yes, he was scared, but they stayed there for a while, because there were Indians across the river shooting at them. How long, I don’t know. Because the museum is on the Crow Reservation, they do it great honor and each time we go to Montana, it is one of the places where we stop and look at their merchantise — I’ve bought a lot of music from the store there.
As someone else said, we will probably never know the truth. But, it’s another viewpoint as to what happened. Thank you so much for your insights and for your post. I so look forward to your opinions on these matters. Do well! Have a uper day!
When we took our last road trip we went to Little Big Horn and did the driving tour. We also spent a few days in Cody WY , where they have buildings that they brought from other places and we saw the cabin where Curly lived. Very interesting
Hi Elaine!
Like you, my husband and I have been to the Little Bighorn many times. We even took the trail up to the top of a mountain in the Little Bighorn Range, where they have an ancient medicine circle at the top of the mountain — called the Stone Hinge of America. Beautiful, beautiful country. Beautiful people. Thank you so much for telling me about about your trip and about Curly (a very handsome young men.
This is a very interesting read. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hi Bonnie! I find it so, too. Thank you very much for coming here and leaving a comment. Means a lot.
I enjoyed reading your post. I find history’s interpretations can be fluid.
Hi Debra!
Howdy! Howdy! Nice to see you here today. Yes, I think you’re right, which is why when I do research, I like to research the viewpoints of those who were there living it. It brings the time alive for me because usually there is a great amount of detail that one simply won’t get with history written by those looking back at it, not living it.
Pretty Shield also says that the place where the battle took place smelled horrible for about a year after the battle. Her people moved away from the are because of the stench. And, you’re right history can be “fluid” nowadays — thus, my desire to do my research from those who were there at the time — and I love those stories. They bring the time period alive for me beccause they also contain so many aspects of the places that I write about. Hope you are doing well — thank you so much for leaving a comment.
Good morning, Karen. This story is indeed a surprise. My husband is quite a history buff so, needless to say, we have visited Custer’s Last Stand not once, but twice. Each time one picks up more information than before. It is quite a depiction, led by a Park guide with a map replica. No mention of any waters or anyone dying in a different place other than the one with the monument. This is quite interesting. I would love to read this book by the wife of Goes Ahead, Custer’s scout. And it appears Custer was drinking. That would explain his own beliefs rather that those seen by his scout. Thank you for your graphics.
Hi Judy!
Wow! Your husband is a history buff. I’ve been to the Little Bighorn many, many times, it being there in Crow country. I love the area and I love the museum and the store and the stories. The name of the book (it’s on sale at Amazon) is: PRETTY SHIELD, Medicine Woman of the Crow by Frank B. Linderman. The story I’m writing about today is in the last part of the book, Chapter 18. There is so much detail in the book, not only about Custer, but about a life that was destroyed in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. When you read the book, that part of the country truly comes alive. Thank you, Judy, for coming here and leaving this comment. Really hope you and hubby will get the book. I know you will both love it! Enuoy!
Hi Kay, Thank you for sharing this , it is so very interesting. I agree with you it is always much better to get the information from someone who was there for sure. Have a great week my sweet friend.
H:i Alicia! Thank you so much for leaving me your thoughts about this. Yes, it’s something I try to do — is to get my research from those who lived it. It’s then full of color and detail. Hope you are doing well!
Very interesting. Have visited the site and it is so sad. Makes you wonder how many lives, both American Indians and soldiers, could have been saved if Custer had only listened to the scouts or to anyone else. He was too arrogant to listen to anyone’s advice thus lives were needlessly lost, even his own. Very sad time in our history.
Hi Sarah,
You are right. It was a very sad time in history. Things was, Goes-ahead told his wife twice that he was drinking from an odd looking canteen that had a straw. Makes me wonder if he knew he was going to his death. I mean, he was there to go to battle and his ws drinking. And the things he did — dividing his troops — at a time when there was thousands upon thousands of Indians… It makes me wonder, but you are right, it is a very sad part of our history. Thank you so much for coming here today and leaving a comment.
I read somewhere that all history is told from the point of view of the “winners.” There are a lot of things out there that people believe are true that really aren’t, but not many people are willing to dig to uncover the truth. I totally believe Pretty Shield’s account, and I wish more people were open to hear the real story of historical events.
Oh, Kim, how many times have I heard that expression — that history is written by the winners. And especially true for the American Indians in that they did not read or write at this time…in fact, most didn’t speak English. Thank goodness there were people out there like James Willard Schultz and Frank B. Linderman who sought out his Indian friends and wrote down their stories so we, more than a hundred years later can read them with the detail the Indians used to tell their stories that make you feel like you are right there, living their adventures with them. I can only hope that in my books, I can bring that time period alive for my readers. Good observation, Kim.
Honestly, I’ll agree and say that this account is correct. And, sheesh, Goes-ahead was handsome!! I have no problem believing this account, as look at how many things have been re-written of history!! Always changing to make sure that what’s told is “politically correct” for the current time, not necessarily what was true when it originally happened!!! No one that was truly there had a reason to lie, and especially since Native Americans at that time didn’t lie. Unlike the whites at that time. Just as the same has been said of Jesus’ disciples. Why would they lie about what they had seen??
Oh, Trudy, these are really good observations. I so totally agree with you and yes, wasn’t Goes-ahead handsome? Many of these young Indians (and older ones, too) were quite handsome…and the women beautiful. I think, living as they did, off the land and with the land (respecting it) gave them a beauty (or handsomeness) that is missing somewhat from our society today. We have make-up and workouts to help improve our looks, but these people, living with Mother Nature, were handsome without all the things we do today. For instance, (I wear make-up (a little bit) even when I’m home with only my hubby around.) Thank you for your sharing your thoughts and observations. I very much agree with you.
Hi My Dear Friend, Kay
Thank you for giving us this insight into Custer’s so called Last Stand, quite interesting indeed.
I blame the lies on the news reporters, they are the ones who lie, they wanted to sensationalize what happened, they didn’t care if what they wrote wasn’t true.
Very true, Indians did not lie way back then, they trusted the White Men, but the White Men lied and cheated the Indians.
What happened to the Indians [not just them, but all minorities, Blacks, Chinese, any Foreigners, etc.] It shames me to be White. Why couldn’t these men learn to live with the Indians? Things could have been so much better for everyone.
Anyway I definitely believe Pretty Shields account from her husband’s knowledge of being there. But I also know the day is coming when all unjustnesses will be rectified by our loving Creator.
Hi Starr,
What a beautiful post. But, remember it wasn’t the individual white man (usually) who committed the terrible genocide of these tribes, but rather corporations (without a soul or empathy), military — most of the troops did not have women with them to civilize their desires — their wives and daughters weren’t generally there — and laws and treaties written by men who lived the life of luxury and didn’t have to be there on the front lines — i.e. politicians, bankers, news reporters — as you mentioned. The average man at this time who was there with his family tried to get along with the Indians and many of those men who weren’t married, then married into the tribe. This was particularly true of the traders who came to trade the Indian furs for things the Indians loved. Most traders were friends of these tribes and married into the tribe. But, politicians, bankers and corporations, as well as the military, had little to lose and much to gain by favoring genocide instead of trying to understand and get along. In the oldendays, the people of honor and wealth lead their own people into battle. Not so today.
This was very interesting . Thanks for sharing.
Hi Linda!
Thank you so much for your comment! Glad to see you here!