Myles Moylan - Letter to Libbie

[Diane Merkel]

Here is an extract of a letter to Libbie from October 1876. Moylan, who was part of the initial burial party, was married to James Calhoun's sister.

Do not think it strange that I have allowed so long a time to elapse since that terrible day, when you lost so many that were so dear to you and when I lost the best friend I have ever had, without writing to you.

I have often tried to do so but have failed every time; before commencing I could think of a thousand things to say, but when I tried to commit them to paper, they all forsook me; nothing remains but that one thing, that horrible fact that he was gone.

You will not think hard of me for not attending to the duty sooner, for if ever a man owed duty and faithfulness, I do to the widow of the man who from the beginning to the end was to me the best friend I ever had.

I cannot write of what I saw on the 27 of June when we went over to the field and buried the dead — it is unnecessary for me to say who the noble men were who were true to him to the last. They were the men of his own blood lying around him. There also was the Noble Cooke, Yates and Smith all lying close by the leader they all honored and loved so well.

Some distance in the front was the cold clay of so gallant a man as ever lived our Jim — I cannot say any more. A day will come, and thank God it is not far distant, when Justice will be done the dead of the Little Big Horn.

I hope to see you this winter sometime; we expect to go east as soon as I can get away. [I?] send love to yourself & our other friends.

God Bless you forever; [you] shall ever be the prayers of the man to whom the goodness of your heart you have shown so much kindness. Again I say from my heart, God Bless you.

For more about this letter, scroll about half-way down this page:
www.bighorncountynews.com/archive/033006b.html

[YellowRose]

Thanks, Diane, for posting this letter and web link. While I enjoy reading the various interpretations and viewpoints of current authors re/LBH battle and its participants, my interest is best captured by the letters and journals written by LBH participants and others in that time of history.

How exciting to think about the possibility of a "women of the west" museum to be established in Garryowen with the recent acquisition of 6,000 Libbie items acting as the cornerstone of such a museum. I hope that Mr. Kortlander's dream someday becomes a reality.

Best wishes

[Jim]

YellowRose,

I think that Mr. Kortlander's dream MIGHT become a reality, BUT it will probably be from a 6' X 6' cell! Maybe someone who purchases the property at Garryowen, will continue the "Women of the West" Quest!

Jim

[Diane Merkel]

;D ;D ;D

[YellowRose]

This is for Jim: Yikes! A jail cell??? - please tell me more.

How gallant of you to acknowledge the possibility of the Women of the West museum.

Best wishes!

[Melani]

Yes, please do enlighten us as to Mr. Kortlander's trangresssions; I have somehow missed that. I hope it wasn't anything too awful--the proposed museum sounds like my idea of research heaven!