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Bruce Brown's 100 Voices... Edward Godfrey on
AS TO MANY of the so-called Indian versions of the battle of the Little Big Horn, it must be remembered that the Indian in battle is an individualist; he is not anchored to a unit; he rides furiously in a circle or back and forth, as the spirit moves him, hoping for a chance to make a coup or get a scalp. Only the commanding personality of the war chief can hold him to a fixed or set purpose. In this battle, Gall, the noted Huncpapa Sioux war chief, when he learned that Custer's troops were approaching the village on the flank, called his warriors from the attack on Reno and assembled them in a deep ravine on the flank held by Keogh and Calhoun. He sent a detachment to attack and stampede the led horses; others he posted under cover, awaiting the opportunity for the rush and charge. Apparently there was no guard left with the led horses and the stampede was soon accomplished; that seemed to be the opportune moment and Gall gave his war whoop; the charge was made, overwhelming first Calhoun and then Keogh (troop commanders with Custer). Crazy Horse, another noted war chief, when he learned that Custer was approaching, left Reno's front and rushed down the valley through the approaching warriors and through the village, calling, "All who want to fight, follow me." He assembled his warriors on Custer's flank, under the cover of a ridge. He sent a detachment to Custer's rear, and at the opportune moment he gave the war whoop for the charge that destroyed Custer's command. The Custer Myth: A Source Book of Custerania, written and compiled by Colonel W.A. Graham, The Stackpole Co., Harrisburg, PA 1953, p 296
LT. EDWARD S. Godfrey fought with Frederick Benteen's column and survived the Seige of the Greasy Grass. Here is Godfrey's 1892 Century article and his account of What Custer Wore.
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