Custer's Scouts at the Little Bighorn: The Arikara Narrative

by Orin Grant Libby (Editor), Sitting Bear, Young Hawk

Considered one of the most important source documents for the study of the Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer's Last Stand), the Arikara Narrative is a fascinating account of this seminal event. No scholar of the Little Bighorn conflict omits this book from their bibliography.

George Armstrong Custer rode to the Little Bighorn with forty Arikara scouts (among others). Of this group, nine survivors were interviewed in 1912. Their accounts of the battle were carefully translated and then published in 1920.

This immensely interesting and important work is available for the first time for e-readers and smartphones for less than you'd spend on gas going to the library.

Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.

Genres: History

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2014

Reviews

[Gerald Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This narrative is a great research support document for the student of the Battle of Little Bighorn. I find the writing and perspective of the scouts to be unique and it seems the chief of scouts, Lt. Varnum seemed to have his hands full in directing the scouts who were members of the Crow and Ree tribes.

Basically, the scouts did not hire on to fight in the battle and it is well documented that General Custer released them when the battle began. He might have thought that the scouts could do more good for the Army by chasing and capturing horses from the huge tribal horse herd than in joining into the fight. Thus, the indian scouts that were killing in the battle were fighting as volunteers such as Bloody Knife.

This is a rare view of a part of this mysterious historically significant battle and takes the reader back in time to experience some of the conditions and attitudes of the time (June 25 and 26, 1876).

[R.E. Admore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this five stars for its historical value and the cultural insight it gives to Native American life in the 19th century. Each Arikara scout gives their own account of scouting for Custer, so there are many perspectives and it is a little convoluted trying to piece them in to one cohesive picture. To read their stories told in their own voice, their insights and understanding of events, and about their daily life, is a goldmine for any historian or anthropologist, or any layperson interested in this chaotic period of America.

[Ann Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Custer’s Scouts at the Little Bighorn...

I like this book because the scouts tell in their own words what happened to Custer’s 7th Calvary . He was amazingly arrogant and foolish...so it turns out. I recommend to any history buff.

[Rufus Medrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Flo Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this

Enjoyed reading this. Anyone studying Indian history or the battles should read
this. I am a descendant of yellow bear and yellow horse.

[Jim Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Custer’s Scouts at the Little Big Horn

A very well written compilation of the experiences of the Indian scouts that fought with Custer at the Little Big Horn!

[Dorothea L Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Custer's Scouts

This a very good book with accounts as told by the different scouts as to what they saw,and what they did.

[BIG BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important books on the Little Bighorn and has been out of print for a very long time. It is a narrative by Custer's Arikara scouts and their observations at the Little Bighorn battle. Absolutely fascinating and cited by every serious Custer author.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of entertaining anecdotes and recollections of the Indian Scouts far beyond the June 1876 Campaign.

They provided some interesting insight regarding Custer and the course of the battle as they saw it.