Guest Book 2005

Name: CUSTARD
Date: 31 Dec 2005
 

Comments

WAS CUSTER STANDING THROUGH THE LAST STAND? Numerous eyewitness accounts suggest otherwise. From the indian side comes the testimony that they saw a "chief" in buckskins and a big white hat fall from his horse during the beginning of the attack at the river. This is what help to cause the rout of the soldiers in panic. From the army side comes the testimony that Custer's body had two bullet wounds: one in the chest and one in the temple. This makes it very likely that Custer was actually shot first in attempting to cross the river, seriously disabling him from further participation in the battle, and the last one to die and by his own hand. A shot to the temple would definitley indicate suicide as many soldiers are reported by warriors to have done just that. Even Custer finally saw it was hopeless!

1/3/06 We'll never know if Custer lived to the very end of the last stand. I find it hard to believe that Custer committed suicide simply due to what we know from the historical record. All who described his wounds said he had a bullet wound to the left side of his head. Custer was right handed. If you're right handed, lift your right hand and place it against your temple as if you were about to shoot yourself. I imagine that your right hand index finger is pointing to the right side of your head. Custer did not kill himself by reaching all the way around his head to shoot himself in the left temple.  Regards, Bob Reece

Name: Mr P.J. Salo
Date: 27 Dec 2005
 

Comments

Greetings from Finland. I just have to comment something from here Europe, a true western democracy. Mr Reece tells in his article, that Custer was not a psychopath. Well, we in Europe know he was, like Chivington was and so many other U.S. officers. A true 19th century American christian fanantic

Name: Ellen
Date: 23 Dec 2005
 

Comments

My relative was a Captain under Custer and we visited your park. My family and I were very emotionally moved. It's very informative and well maintained. It was quite something for me and my son to see his name on the monument under the list of Captains in the cemetery. Thank you for all your information and your help. We can now pass this to the generations under us for their children.

12/23/05 Ellen: Thank you for contacting us. I tried replying to the email you posted for me, but it wasn't good. Your relative was an important Captain serving under Custer. He died not too far from his commander. I'm very pleased you had a great experience while visiting the monument -- I'll pass your comments on to the superintendent as well. If you don't mind, please scroll to the bottom of the page, click on "Contact" and send me an email with your email address. Regards, Bob Reece

Name: EleWM
Date: 22 Dec 2005
 

Comments

Enjoyed your site!! My family is looking for information on our great grandfather Mec Han Tsea (White Swan). So I'm putting out info where ever I can for anyone who has any family information on him. I would love to hear from anyone who has any info. elemilbank@comcast.net

Name: Melodie
Date: 16 Dec 2005
 

Comments

I love this website. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication of everyone who has made this website possible.

12/16/05 Thanks for the kind words Melodie. Hope you visit our site again. Regards, Bob Reece

Name: Steve
Date: 16 Dec 2005
 

Comments

I really like the digital pictures for Broadband users. Please post more of them. It is almost like being there in person. Good Job !!

12/16/05 Steve: Glad you like the photos. I've received a lot of email requesting the same, so I'll be adding more over time. I did post photos of Last Stand Hill and the Keogh Sector. I'm currently working on photos of the Custer National Cemetery. Regards, Bob Reece

Name: Mickey
Date: 28 Nov 2005
 

Comments

There is a nice article in the St. Louis "West End Word" about Fr. Heier and his Custer memorabilia in the Nov 23 issue. clarkem@wustl.edu

Name: Frank - www.franksrealm.com
Date: 28 Nov 2005
 

Comments

What can I say...I am trying to build up a small time website about the Plains Indians and other characters of the old west to give correct info to anyone who seeks it and the job seems endless... Now I look at your website and all I can say is...A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Never stop with your work and thakee kindly for all this info.

Name: C. E. Allen
Date: 25 Nov 2005
 

Comments

My great grandfather was a civilian scout for the 7th Regiment but resigned and road west several days before the Little Big Horn. He later moved to Hardware, Virginia, and had 8 children, but my grandfather never discussed him (he abandoned the family) except to say that he was a scount for Custer. I am hoping that someone can shed some light on this rather disreputable, selfish man. Thank you, C. E. Allen ceallen@compass1.com

Name: mugu man
Date: 24 Nov 2005
 

Comments

i love the site.thank you very much.

Name: Mary, Michigan
Date: 16 Nov 2005
 

Comments

I found this site helping my third grader with her timeline of the Lakota and all I can say is WOW! Her class has each taken a tribe to report on and she has been very significantly affected that Sitting Bull was "murdered". I am glad her class is doing this project. She is my youngest and none of my other kids (one graduated last year) has gone over the history of American Indians this way. I have always felt this is what should be taught in school regarding history, instead of what is taught as US History now. Thank you for such a good site.

11/16/05 Mary: Thanks for dropping by and leaving the nice comments. Happy to hear that your daughter was able to use our site for the school project. Hope we see you visit again. Regards, Bob Reece

Name: Bill Goss
Date: 12 Nov 2005
 

Comments

I'm looking for info that you may have regarding Dr. Henry R. Porter My Great-Great Uncle), only surviving surgeon, at the Battle of The Little Big Horn, or what you may have on my Great-Grandfather, Joseph Fought, Custer's bugular and orderly, during the War Between the States. I do have some copies of Dr. Porter's experiences against the Tonto Apache in 1872, while serving with Gen. Crook, and also have a "medicine turtle" that Dr. Porter gave to his sister. I do not know if this is an Apache or Plains relic. Got anything that may be able to help me. Many thanks. This is a great site, as I am a "student" of the battle, before and after. I have seen several of your newsletters, and have found them quite interesting. Bill Goss White Stone. Virginia

11/13/05 Bill: Would you send me an email with your email address? Thanks, Bob Reece

Name: Darlene Burke Litzsinger
Date: 02 Nov 2005
 

Comments

11-02-2006 Hi, I am a direct descendant of General George Armstrong Custer.His Father Emanuel Henry Custer and Maria Ward were my Great Grandfather's 2nd cousin.(William V Castor) (The last names were Custer, Castor, Kuster.) This makes My Mother Verla Castor 3rd cousin and me Darlene Burke Litzsinger 4th cousin. The last names in Kaldenkirchen, Germany were Kuster. When they came to America in 1712 they could not read English, therefore by the speaking of the last name, it was spelled many different way's. I would like to come to the battlefield this year to see the reenactment of the battle if you still have it. Thanking you for the comment on our family

11/6/05 Darlene: thank you for the visit to our website and sharing the interesting background of your family. We hope you can make it to the battlefield this year -- there are two reenactments that take place over the June 25 anniversary weekend. We don't have anything to do with them -- if you contact the Hardin Chamber of Commerce, they can give you all the details.

Name: linda boyd
Date: 25 Oct 2005
 

Comments

i read somewhere that an article hAD BEEN FOUND IN A MAGAZINE NAMED WHISPERING WIND THAT THIS PICTURE HAD BEEN AUTHENTICATED AS BEING TAKEN BETWEEN 1890-1910. LITTLE BAT WAS AGOOD AND TRUSTED FRIEND OF CRAZYHORSE AND THEY WENT HUNTING TOGETHER SOMETIMES. CRAZYHORSE ADMIRED BAT"S HUNTING SKILLS AS MOST TRADER'S SONS POSSESSED EXTROIDINARY SKILLS INVOLVING GUNS. BAT WAS KNOWN FOR HIS HONESTY. I JUST DID NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS AN AUTHENTIC PICTURE OF CRAZYHORSE ALTHOUGH I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IT LOOKED ENOUGH LIKE HIM TO FOOL EVEN LITTLE BAT WHO DID KNOW WHAT HE LOOKED LIKE. I THINK THE INDIAN PICTURED ADMIRED CRAZYHORSE AND LOOKED ENOUGH LIKE HIM TO DEPICT THIS FLATTERING PICTURE OF HIS POSSIBLY CLOSE FRIEND. NO NECK WAS A COMRADE OF SITTING BULL AND LATER SERVED AS A ARMY SCOUT. I DONT THINK IT IS NO NECK EITHER. MAYBE I THOUGHT SO AT FIRST BUT I DONT BELIEVE IT NOW.I WONDER WHWRE THE PICTURE OR NEGATIVE IS THAT DR. MCGILLICUDDY TOOK ON CRAZYHORSE'S DEATHBED. THAT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING. CRAZYHORSE WAS GRILLED ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE LITTLEBIGHORN AND THEN KILLED

Name: Lee Ness
Date: 25 Oct 2005
 

Comments

What a wonderful site. For some time now, I have been looking for a map of Custers route from Ft. Lincoln to the Bighorn Battlefield, and have come up with nothing. Could somebody please direct me to a place where I might either purchase one, or download a copy? I would like to travel this route next summer, and need to have accurate information. Also, just to the South East of Richardton, North Dakota, there is a butte where local ledgend has it, Custer camped near, and I would like to see if this may be true. I have found a few arrow heads at the top of this butte in the past, and since it is the highest point in the area, I wonder if Custer used the butte as a lookout point. Thanks, LN

Name: Kevin Hancock
Date: 13 Oct 2005
 

Comments

enjoyed the web site of the little big horn battlefield . i use to run a magazine here in England dedicated to george custer in the mid-nineties have often thought of visiting the battlefield and by visiting your site it has given me the urge to visit.lsat year i visited custers cavalry action at the east cavaly battle at Gettysburg if any one has visited this site around dusk it gives off a very earie presence especially arond the rummel farm.all the best k. hancock

Name: MALCOLM PARK
Date: 20 Sep 2005
 

Comments

This site just gets better and better. I was hoping to one day come over and see the field for myself, unfortunately I suffered a stroke 6 months ago and I cannot see me making it now. So keep up the good work all you wonderful people, trully, trully fascinating Malcolm, Scotland

Name: Mike
Date: 17 Sep 2005
 

Comments

Jeannie, I hope you are correct and I would have to see more evidence to believe that it is Crazy Horse in that photo. If he said he would never have his photo taken, I would believe him. The man never surrendered in spirit, and only came to Camp Robinson to save his people from certain death by starvation. Your ancestor is a true American hero and a hero for all Americans. I hope you appreciate this web site and the Friends. Our interests are not limited to this battle as an historical event, but also as it represents a tragic clash of cultures. Even more important, the battlefield is transitioning from a symbol of conflict to a focal point for Indian and white peace through unity.

Name: Jeannie
Date: 11 Sep 2005
 

Comments

As a desedent of Crazy Horse I am HORRIFIED to see such a blatant lie as dipicted by this supposed photo of Crazy Horse. He would never have allowed his photo to be taken and would never have established himself in what is obvisouly a "set" to showcase himself.

Name: David Patterson
Date: 07 Sep 2005
 

Comments

I am wondering if you can tell me anything about the buglers at the LBH. We found an article about my great great grandfather Ivan David Lyons that tells about his witness of the massacre of General Custer and his command. The article states that before the battle he and 3 other buglers were sent to a nearby hillside to hold the horses. Sickened by what they saw and convinced that they could do nothing and would be fortunate themselves to escape the buglers made their getaway. He and another he remembered as Bill Annin lay 3 days in a dry creek with no food or drink. When they decided to get out of there Annin went east and Lyons went west. He also remembered a John Hollenbecker and John King. I have acrobat but was unable to load the list of soldiers names from your website. Thank you for your time. David Patterson DPatte1026@aol.com

9/9/05 David: I sent you an email. Thanks, Bob Reece

Name: Kathy O-
Date: 06 Sep 2005
 

Comments

I never had the priviledge of meeting Brian but I did enjoy him on the History Channel and in the movie "Gettysburg". He made such an impact on many people that he never met but know of him and his dedication to history and preservation. He will be greatlly missed.

Name: Steve Sidley
Date: 30 Aug 2005
 

Comments

Hi Bob -Apologies to be so late in sending dues (I'm late with CAGB too!) -should be with you about now :) Site's looking great! Congratulations! I'm finally getting back to the Battlefield in September -my second visit. Hope to spend two days there -which'll be a treat as on my first visit I had only 1 hour :) All the best Steve Sidley London, England

9/12/05 Steve: Great to hear you're coming back to the states and the battlefield. You've picked the best time of year to visit the battlefield -- it's getting cool, the crowds are really thin, and you don't have to fight for viewing space in the museum or bookstore. Plus, you'll be able to walk on Last Stand Hill all by yourself! Regards, Bob Reece

Name: Roy S. Ardillo, II
Date: 30 Jun 2005

Comments:

I always looked forward to his commentary on the History Channel.  Yes, American has truely lost a good friend.

Name: David C. Sheehy
Date: 29 Jun 2005

Comments:

I was shocked and saddened to learn from your excellent site of the untimely passing of Brian Pohanka.  I very much admired his published work and from the photographs of him at the battlefield came to the conclusion that he might have been a reincarnation of a certain Irish-born company commander who died at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  Greetings from Dublin, Ireland and keep up the good work.

Name: Melani Van Petten
Date: 26 Jun 2005

Comments:

I am very sorry to hear the news about Brian Pohanka. I never met him and only discovered his work a few years ago, and I regret that I didn't have more time to appreciate him while he was with us. God bless his family and friends, and may we all meet again someday.

Name: Dennis Buttacavoli
Date: 24 Jun 2005

Comments:

I was deeply saddened to hear of Brian's passing,the Civil War and Custer Battlefield Communities have lost a true champion of their causes and he will be greatly missed.
May God Bless Brian and his family.

Name: Charlie Knight
Date: 24 Jun 2005

Comments:

One of my first memories of Civil War reenacting was at the 1995 Gettysburg event. I was a new recruit at the time. In one of the scenarios my battalion attacked a Zouave regiment atop the hill and I personally went after Brian Pohanka, only to be "shot" by one of his NCOs. Several years later while an extra at the filming of the Hallmark production "The Love Letter" outside Petersburg, VA, ca. 1997, I remember "bumming" a cigar from Pohanka who was one of the consultants and the reenactor CO.

Name: Rhonda L. Baseler
Date: 24 Jun 2005

Comments:

I scanned your website.  Interesting photos. Did I somehow miss the part about how the U.S. government committed - and continues to commit - genocide on all the Indian nations?

6/30/05 Rhonda: This website focuses on the Battle of the Little Bighorn, not whether “genocide” was committed against the American Indian or not. I appreciate the fact that everyone has a right to make statements in our guest book, but your comment is a completely inaccurate statement historically. You posted this statement three times over a period of one week. I kept this one here, however, if you choose to continue to post over and over the same comments, I will delete them. Bob Reece

Name: Tom Duclos
Date: 22 Jun 2005

Comments:

Brian and I spent time together going through our collection at the New York State Military Museum. While working on our flag survey,Brian suggested I look at the top of the flagpole of the 165th New York..his research showed that a fez and turbin of the 5th New York should be there honoring their color guard cut down at 2nd Bull Run..sure enough it was there..all these years. It is now on display at our museum. Whenever I will look at it I will think of Brian.

Name: ed milewski
Date: 21 Jun 2005

Comments:

i just visited your site and im sorry about brians passing. I'd like to know if union pows received back pay.

Name:Ken                                                                                                          Date: 9 June 2005

I can't believe how year after year this site just keeps getting better and better. I love the new look, especially the use of Eric von Schmidt's Here Fell Custer on each page. Thank you for everything you do Mr. Reece.

Remote User:

Date:

30 Apr 2005

Time:

02:00:14

Comments

It is great to read some material that is very informative and not so bias, along with some of the truth coming out. Our younger generations will gain a better insight. wisapa01 CRST

Remote User:

Date:

27 Apr 2005

Time:

01:38:05

Comments

As much as I wish I could recall Doug's character, it's very hard. All I can think of is a short man who made me laugh. He would always let me play with is cane. It makes me smile just thinking about it. Sad though. Austin Reece

Remote User:

Date:

26 Apr 2005

Time:

21:19:29

Comments

"In Memory of Doug Keller" was so good. How sad to have lost such a kind and devoted historian so early. He will be missed. Megan Reece

Remote User:

Date:

16 Apr 2005

Time:

12:20:26

Comments

Thank you very much for the interesting info. Great site!

Remote User:

Date:

14 Apr 2005

Time:

18:38:21

Comments

Thank you for your informative website. My husband's relative, Anton Dohman, died with Custer which I was able to confirm. However, I may have a relative that survived with one of Reno's troops. Per my great uncle's obituary, he served with Reno at the Battle of the Little Big Horn but I do not find his name listed anywhere. His name was Phillip Zimlich. Any information would be appreciated. Karen Dobschutz-Dohman.

4/16/05 -- Karen: I cannot find a reference to a Phillip Zimlich anywhere. I even checked the roster for other detachments that fought in the Sioux War of 1876, but not at the LBH. It's possible that Zimlich may have enlisted under a different name.

Remote User:

Date:

09 Apr 2005

Time:

10:35:06

Comments

VERY GOOD, I WOULD LIKE TO STOP AT NEW RUMLEY, OHIO AND SEE ANY SITES THAT MAY BE. NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT CUSTER HE WAS GREAT LEADER, BUT ALL LEADERS WILL DIE. ALSO, USED TO LIVE IN RENO, NEVADA AND THERE WAS SMALL STRIP MALL WITH A STATUE OF RENO. GOOD WORK, D

Remote User:

Date:

22 Mar 2005

Time:

18:26:08

Comments

Well executed and informative site, congratulations. I was wondering if there was a list of the civilian scouts who were with the Seventh Cavalry at LBH? (Trying to validate an old family story about great-great grandfather serving with Maj. Reno) Thanks, Mike Boyle (Same last name.)

3/22/05: Hi Mike -- There were two Boyle’s that fought at the LBH. Neither were scouts, but both were privates. One, Owen, was in Company E, so he didn’t make it. He died along with 209 of his buddies under Custer. The other, James P, was luckier. He served under Reno (maybe this is your relative) in Company G so he fought in both the Valley and Hilltop Fights. James was wounded during the Hilltop Fight. Thanks, Bob Reece

Remote User:

Date:

20 Mar 2005

Time:

18:32:55

Comments

Thanks--a most informative website. I was able to look up a relative, Miles O'Harra, Co. M, who died there. Any other information might would be appreciated. Hopefully I'll be able to visit there sometime. Susan Hancock

3/20/05 Susan: Thank you for posting in our guest book. Miles O'Hara was probably the very first man killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a sergeant in Company M under the command of Major Marcus Reno. When Reno's command charged down the valley towards the village his line was eventually stopped. The soldiers dismounted and formed a skirmish line on foot advancing some ways towards the warriors coming out of the village to meet them. It was during the fight from this skirmish line that your relative was killed. Miles was born in September 1851 in Alton, Ohio. He enlisted in the army on October 30, 1872. He had just been appointed sergeant the month of his death. Thanks for visiting our website. Bob Reece

Remote User:

Date:

18 Mar 2005

Time:

11:15:51

Comments

THIS WEBSITE WAS SO BORING WHO CARES ABOUT BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN. ITS AN OXY-MORON ANYWAYS. MAKE A BETTER SITE, IT DIDNT HELP ME AT ALL - LINDSEY

Remote User:

Date:

15 Mar 2005

Time:

08:44:28

Comments

My dad passed away in March 03. He was 99. He told me his dad's father, James Blair was with Reno's group at Little Big Horn. He could remember seeing Indian stuff at his grandfather's when he visited him as a child. He also said he received the Medal of Honor for his service in the Indian Wars. Is there a muster list for Reno's group that would help me confirm this? Really enjoyed my visit to your site. Regards, T. Blair

3/15/05 Thanks for contacting us and thank you for visiting our website. There were two Blair’s with the 7th Cavalry at the time of the battle. James Blair lucked out...he was left at Ft. Lincoln on detached service responsible for company property. Blair Enlisted on December 29, 1874, at age 24, in Pittsburgh. However, he made up for lost time by participating in the battles of the Nez Perce War of 1877. I could find no record of him receiving a Medal of Honor. Wilbur Blair was with Company A, under Reno, and fought in the Valley and Hilltop Fights. He did not receive the Medal of Honor.

Side note: There was a James Blair who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars. This Blair enlisted during the winter 1872-1873 at Camp Winfield Scott, Nevada. He served as 1st Sgt with Company I of the 1st U.S. Cavlary. He received the medal on April 12, 1875. The citation read: "Gallant conduct during the campaigns and engagements with Apaches." So, if your family holds a Medal of Honor from your great grandfather, then I’d say he didn’t fight at the LBH, but did fight very well against the Apaches. I believe the James Blair of the 7th Cavalry and the Blair of the 1st Cavalry are two different people.

You can check out our list of soldiers at http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/7th%20Cav%20Muster%20Rolls.htm

Remote User:

Date:

13 Mar 2005

Time:

13:58:06

Comments

The timeline by John Doerner is a valuable and useful addition! The web site keeps getting better all the time. See you all at the battlefield in June. Mike Semenock Snohomish, WA

3/14/05 Thanks Mike. Looking forward to walking the trails of LBH Battlefield with you again. Bob Reece

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