Leaving Fort Lincoln proved especially difficult for the families left behind. Amid hugs, handshakes, and final words of encouragement, many struggled to hide their emotions. Tears were common as the soldiers departed, unaware that for some, this would be their last goodbye.
7th Cavalry departs Ft. Lincoln on May 17, 1876.
That arrangement unraveled when Custer publicly accused senior federal officials of corruption involving Indian trading posts, known as sutlers. These posts operated under monopoly licenses sold for profit, often to the detriment of both Native tribes and enlisted soldiers. The most notorious case centered on the Fort Sill trading post in Indian Territory. Custer’s testimony implicated Secretary of War William Belknap and Orville Grant, the brother of President Ulysses S. Grant, igniting a major political scandal.
President Grant viewed Custer’s actions as an overreach and ordered his arrest just days before Custer was scheduled to depart for Fort Lincoln to assume command. Generals William T. Sherman and Philip Sheridan, convinced the coming campaign required Custer’s battlefield experience, successfully pressed the president to reverse the order. The compromise was clear: Custer could participate, but General Terry would retain overall command of the column.
Though in poor health, Terry had little choice but to go. Aboard the steamboat Far West, Terry organized the campaign plan. He assigned Custer to lead the 7th Cavalry as the principal striking force, while Terry himself would command the smaller Montana Column advancing up the Bighorn River. At the time, the whereabouts of General Crook’s column remained unknown, adding further uncertainty to the operation. LOC
Skeptical, blunt, and often caustic, Benteen was both respected and controversial. His disdain for self-promotion and theatrics placed him in sharp contrast to Custer’s dramatic leadership style and public fame. Toward superior officers—especially Custer—his attitude frequently bordered on open contempt. After the Little Bighorn campaign, Benteen became one of the most persistent and articulate critics of the growing Custer legend.
In combat, Benteen was deliberate, steady, and dependable, even under intense pressure. During the desperate defense of Reno Hill, he emerged as a stabilizing influence at times when Reno appeared overwhelmed by events. Benteen’s calm leadership and attention to the defense helped maintain order among the survivors during some of the battle’s most critical moments.
One notable lapse, however, marked his otherwise careful performance. On the first night atop Reno Hill, Benteen failed to order his men to construct defensive works or improve their positions. When warrior fire resumed the following morning, the lack of adequate cover exposed the soldiers to additional casualties that might otherwise have been avoided.
Courageous and respected by many of his troops, Benteen carried considerable bitterness throughout much of his later life. His postwar legacy was shaped not only by his abilities as an officer, but also by his unwavering willingness to criticize commanders whom he believed had failed in their responsibilities. As a result, he remains one of the most complex and influential figures in the continuing debate over the Battle of the Little Bighorn. LOC photo.
This item is an original albumen cabinet card of Captain Thomas Custer in one-half seated view and wearing his military uniform. The photograph is 4 x 6″ (4 3/8 x 6 5/8″ mounted) and was produced circa 1872 by an unknown photographer. On the verso, a handwritten notation reads, “Col. Tom Custer” and is signed by Elizabeth B. Custer.
Please Credit: Courtesy of National Park Service, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Accession LIBI-00019, “Col. Tom Custer”, circa 1872, Cat #LIBI 00526, ACC # LIBI-00019, Cabinet Card
Photo of Custer and the officers of the 7th Cavalry at Fort Lincoln.
Photo of Custer’s Adjutant John Burkman in older age.
Progress was often slow and difficult. The rugged landscape, coupled with numerous streams and rivers, presented constant obstacles. In several locations, watercourses proved too deep or hazardous to cross safely, forcing the soldiers to halt and construct temporary bridges before the column could continue its march.
Throughout much of the campaign, Custer tended to view the 7th Cavalry as an independent striking force rather than simply one element of a larger operation. General Alfred Terry later reminded him that the regiment remained part of a coordinated campaign involving multiple columns and commanders, with success dependent upon cooperation and adherence to the overall strategic plan.
