lefty
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Post by lefty on Oct 13, 2015 10:37:47 GMT -6
I am a new member on here and I am curious, what are the best documentaries on the Battle of Little Bighorn? I am really fascinated with the battle and would love to watch a few.
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Post by jodak on Oct 13, 2015 11:18:59 GMT -6
Hello Lefty, and welcome. While I've seen a number of documentaries pertaining to the battle, I wouldn't be able to tell you their names or where to find them. Although not the type of documentary that I'm sure that you mean, there is a fellow that calls himself Custer Apollo that has produced a series of battle related videos that are quite good and posted on YouTube. Some of his conclusions are subject to debate, but he does an excellent job of laying out the battlefield in a way that makes it easy to visualize and understand. You can find them here ( www.youtube.com/user/CusterApollo ) or just by Googling Custer Apollo. |
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lefty
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Post by lefty on Oct 13, 2015 13:29:52 GMT -6
I have actually watched that documentary, I do agree the visuals are great. How well perceived are his theories on what happened at the battle in this Custer Community??
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Post by Colt45 on Oct 13, 2015 15:23:26 GMT -6
Lefty,
Welcome to the board.
Custer Apollo keeps making references to Custer leaving units in reserve. That is an assumption on his part and is pure speculation. Custer didn't have enough people to be dropping off units as reserves. In particular he speaks of I company being a reserve. I company was not a reserve, but rather was most likely left where it was because it could see the route they had taken and would thus be able to see Benteen approaching and were then in place to assist and cover Benteen's arrival into the area. C and L companies were most likely where they were to block the Indian approach from Ford B up Deep Coulee. Keogh's battalion was most likely in place to facilitate the arrival of Benteen and to cover Custer's rear while he was off looking at Ford D area. An assumption on my part is that Custer's "plan" was to explore the Ford D area, have Keogh guide Benteen into the Battle Ridge area, then the combined force would assault the village from the north via a crossing in the Ford D area.
Of course, we will never know for sure any of this, since the Indians had a large say in how Custer's plans played out. Overall, his videos are top notch in showing the lay of the land and his narrative is correct in many areas, but many of his statements of "what happened and why" are pure speculation as opposed to documented facts. LIke everyone else's opinions, his is no more righr or wrong that anyone else's with respect to what occurred after Custer departed 3411.
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Post by fred on Oct 13, 2015 15:59:58 GMT -6
Lefty,
Welcome to these boards. It is nice to have you here and I hope you will be a long-lasting contributor, even if your contributions are only questions.
As for your question, in my opinion the two best are Archaeology, History, and Custer's Last Battle, the video named for Richard Fox' book. It was produced by El Conejo Productions and distributed by University of Oklahoma Press in 1995. I have only the video, but I am sure there is a DVD out there as well. I seem to remember it being broadcast by the History Channel, as well. A second is also based of Fox' work, Brushing Away Time. It was produced by Production West, Inc., of Billings and distributed by the same outfit that puts books in the LBH bookstore, Southwest Parks and Monuments Association. It was also 1995.
I found both of these really good, but then I am a big believer in Fox' theories. A lot of the rest of the stuff out there is chaff.
Best wishes,
Fred.
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Post by magpie on Oct 13, 2015 18:38:18 GMT -6
I have actually watched that documentary, I do agree the visuals are great. How well perceived are his theories on what happened at the battle in this Custer Community?? Yes Welcome: Lefty! |
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lefty
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by lefty on Oct 14, 2015 7:14:22 GMT -6
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
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Post by Beth on Oct 14, 2015 12:37:13 GMT -6
First welcome to the group. It's always great seeing new people. I want to add my recommendation of CusterApollo's videos. I find when I get lost in my head on how different battle areas relate to each other, I refer back to those videos. This is the link to the videos. He spends a number of segments on Custer's history, his interest in the battle and his collections. The actually videos from Montana start in part 9 with the Rosebud and Davis Creek. youtube LBH documentary |
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Post by dan25 on Oct 14, 2015 13:52:53 GMT -6
Hello Lefty, and welcome.
If you are interested in learning a lot of details about the battle, you have come to the right place.
As for Custer Apollo, his filming of the battle field is extremely helpful in understanding the terrain, the distance
and where the soldiers fell. As for his theory, that's it, it's just his theory as Colt45 mentioned.
If you haven't developed your own theory about a certain part of the battle, or someone in particular you will. And when you do, don't hesitate to post your question or theory. There are no silly questions here, believe me I know I have posted some.
There is a great group of very knowledgeable people here willing to answer, explain and advise. Don't feel shy, ask questions.
Best wishes
dan25
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lefty
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by lefty on Oct 14, 2015 22:01:39 GMT -6
I am so happy I have found this site. I have been interested in "Custer's Last Stand" from the first time my family brought me to the battle field when i was 10. We revisited the battle field again 3 years later and I have been hooked. (20 years ago) Now I am a Social Studies teacher, (U.S.) and only get to spend about 2 days on the whole "Indian Wars." My classes end up watching the end of Son of the Morning Star (Spend a extra day  (I know it is really not accurate but students will understand the desperation)....So If you see alot questions...some might be basic or out there..its just because I am super interested. |
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Post by fred on Oct 15, 2015 8:12:27 GMT -6
... its just because I am super interested. Then you are certainly in the right place, Lefty. Best wishes, Fred. |
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Post by dan25 on Oct 15, 2015 10:34:44 GMT -6
Fred
here I go again.
I really am curious about those white or beige hats on the cover of your book.
I know it must seem ridiculous, but small details interest me I can't explain why.
It seems small details can lead to a question, a question leads to an answer, and an answer leads to knowledge.
If that makes any sense.
Regards
dan25
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Post by mchlwilson on Oct 18, 2015 18:26:06 GMT -6
Fred here I go again. I really am curious about those white or beige hats on the cover of your book. I know it must seem ridiculous, but small details interest me I can't explain why. It seems small details can lead to a question, a question leads to an answer, and an answer leads to knowledge. If that makes any sense. Regards dan25 The hats were for sale by the sutler (authorized sales agent) that accompanied the regiment. Several people are said to have bought them, including Reno. I believe they cost 50 cents. |
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Post by dan25 on Oct 19, 2015 8:19:20 GMT -6
Fred here I go again. I really am curious about those white or beige hats on the cover of your book. I know it must seem ridiculous, but small details interest me I can't explain why. It seems small details can lead to a question, a question leads to an answer, and an answer leads to knowledge. If that makes any sense. Regards dan25 The hats were for sale by the sutler (authorized sales agent) that accompanied the regiment. Several people are said to have bought them, including Reno. I believe they cost 50 cents. mchlwilson, Thank you for that information. At first I thought the military issued them to certain companies only to keep uniformity. It's interesting to know the military became so lax in their uniform code. Regards dan25 |
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Post by fred on Oct 19, 2015 10:23:08 GMT -6
The hats were for sale by the sutler (authorized sales agent) that accompanied the regiment. Several people are said to have bought them, including Reno. I believe they cost 50 cents. mchlwilson, Thank you for that information. At first I thought the military issued them to certain companies only to keep uniformity. It's interesting to know the military became so lax in their uniform code. Dan and Michael, The hat you are referring to was an "unauthorized" hat purchased by Reno and some others from traders coming down the Yellowstone from Bozeman. These were made of straw and were lighter and more comfortable than the regular army-issued hat. The standard hat in these days was that slouch, fold-up hat you see associated with Benteen: the campaign hat. There were-- like so much else-- two versions, an officer's version and a slightly lower quality enlisted man's version. The officer's version had a wide silk band around the edge. These slouch hats were standard issue, but not required to be worn except within specific companies and their officers' desires. If I am not mistaken, three companies-- C, E, and L-- wore a firmer, whitish-colored, whitish-gray hat at the LBH, almost like a standard cowboy hat. Some troops also wore kepis (forage caps), but again, personal preference-- if allowed-- or dictated by the unit's officers. Usually, the forage cap was worn around post because it was easier to handle and more comfortable. Civilian cowboy hats were also quite common. Again, if I am not mistaken, hat-wear was only formalized around 1912. Best wishes, Fred. |
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(I know it is really not accurate but students will understand the desperation)....So If you see alot questions...some might be basic or out there..its just because I am super interested.