Little Bighorn: Custer's Last Stand w/ Jocko & Leif | History Traveler 344

[@BB12659]

I was humbled to be one of the volunteers selected in the early 80s to excavate the area. We were literally finding remnants of the battle everyday we were there. Heard stories about Libby's House, being haunted, and the battlefield as well. I can tell you this, the energy is still very much a part of that region. Thank you!

[@bobreece5842]

I worked on the 1989 and 2004 digs. NPS housed me in the Stone House during the 1989 Reno Dump archaeological survey. Roommates were Mike Moore and Mike Donahue, along with other unnatural beings. I was also a pit-partner with Brian Pohanka at the Reno-Benteen Dump. Talking about a fantastic experience. Brian and I were eventually pulled out of the pits at Reno-Benteen, and added to a small team to hopefully find the 28 missing troopers of Deep Ravine. We didn't find them, but what a blast we had. What a life experience to excavate the field along with a bunch of fun/crazy people. What archaeological surveys did you work on?

[@BB12659]

@@bobreece5842 Greetings, fantastic story, thanks! When the fire ran through I read about the archeological dig, so I wrote to Dr. Fox, and he said that if I could pay my way, he'd be happy to house me, and away I went. I believe it was 84. I met a lot of very good people. We found things such as spent bullet casings, saddle parts, buttons, leather from boots, arrow heads, etc. One of the items found was a man's finger with what we thought might be a gold ring, turned out to be brass, and probably came from an enlisted man's hands, cut off more than likely. I too was part of a group that went into a valley to search for the lost company, still missing. One of the most interesting finds, and I was digging this when I hit an unusual sounding clump. I was immediately tossed to the wayside, and a young, female archeologist stepped in. Turned out it was a skull, troopers, and his long johns were somewhat intact. I've tried to find out more about this, but haven't been able to. I worked with several that had written books about the battle. I was there in early June of 1984, and there were things, and I never did see or hear anything that made one question what was going on, supernatural items I speak of.

[@MrBradleyDavid]

I loved watching some of the forensic KZbin presentations. It's fascinating watching the evidence presented of what actually happened,

[@MrMosinNagant1937]

I was there about 5 years ago and the energy is definitely thick in the air.

[@BB12659]

@@bobreece5842 I wrote a summary, but apparently it must have been deleted. OK, I worked there in 1984, after the fire had devastated the area, and turn over many relics. As said, we were finding everything. I wrote to Dr. Fox, and he said if I could find my way there, I'd be more than welcomed. Forget where I stayed, but it was a house, and slept on the floor with other diggers and enthusiasts. I can remember being warned about the snakes, and that was scary, but never saw one. My most vivid memory, I was digging an area, and hit something. Within a minute I was descended upon by a female archeologist. She took over, and unearthed the fragments of a skull, with portions of his clothing intact. I never learned who this was, but we all assumed it was a trooper, since the items around him, including his clothing had US Army branded on them. I asked for further notification, but never received it. Years back I know there was another trooper found, they made a documentary about it, but that was across the river, we found this trooper right at the edge of one of the ravines, on the high side. We too looked for Company G, the Gray Horse Company, but never located them. We had trolls, brushes, and metal detectors. As said, we were finding all sorts of items, some Native-American, but most from the dead calvary unit. Hope that helps, fascinating dig and time. Please note, there were many supernatural reports floating around. The most vivid, Libby House stories. Scared me. We also had a volunteer that one day said, "This is where it happened?" We all said, "What?" He said this is where I was killed that day. Ah, goodbye to that individual, too much for me. Great times though.

[@astaboy]

This battle has all the elements of a great story woven together. Pride, arrogance, and the sudden realization, just when Custer was certain of victory, that the whole thing was about to fall apart. And fall apart spectacularly. And so many details that remain shrouded in mystery. And more. It's no wonder this event took hold of the American imagination; and still holds it to this day.

[@BezmenovDisciple]

Well said. This battle has always just stood out to me and lived rent free in this history lover’s brain for years. I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t made a modern epic film about it yet. The script sells itself.

[@paulhicks7387]

Brings to mind one of my favorite movie scenes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roiqcpewo5qSgbc You go down there if you got the nerve. And not one of those New Age just love the natives types. Instead for Major Joel Elliot and his detachment at Washita River.

[@stevemccarty6384]

Am re-reading the "Custer Myth" and his book, "My Life on the Plains" now. The "Custer Myth" is long out of print. It is a compilation of letters, memoirs and interviews of soldiers and Indians. After reading it, there really aren't many "mysteries" of the event. Lots of participants wrote about their experiences. Nor did Custer's unit's defeat take much time. He lost about 200 men in maybe a little more than an hour. By the time Benteen and his men arrived at the Reno POS, the shooting from Custer's POS had stopped. BTW: Participants at the time estimated the number of Indians, that's men, women and children to be between 5,000 and 7,000 people. The number of fighting braves much less than that.

[@BlpBud]

Great series..little bighorn helped get my wife interested in history..something about the place..the sights, sounds and mystery still exist. Same with your ww2 work..we really enjoy it. We’re boomers btw!

[@250sabre]

My wife is the same way , she went with me to Custers battlefield, she became hooked on the story and the time !! We both now follow certain investigators

[@GinaDAuria]

Thanks JD. I've never watched anything where the Little Bighorn battle was so precisely broken down and made so much easier to understand. Thank you and God bless ALL those who lost their lives.RIP

[@rileymod6541]

Listen to custer apollo. The best breakdown hands down.

[@Gitarzan66]

I'm reminded of what Longstreet said in the Gettysburg movie. "Maybe we shouldn't have fought here?"

[@stevemccarty6384]

The question, of course, is; what if Custer had not split his forces into three battalions? Would he have been able to charge into the villiages, panic the women and children and engage the warriors as they tried to save their families? A la the Washita? It is hard to know, and certainly only speculation, but still it is food for thought.

[@Oldmauserman]

One of many events I’ve neglected. As one who has studied history for half a century, I am continually humbled at the number of important events that deserve more attention. Thank you for this lesson.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Always learning!

[@flatlandcircuitry]

As a European, the Battle of the Little Big Horn is one of the historical events that has fascinated me the most in US history. Some very interesting episodes these, well worth watching getting a very probable course of action from the 7th Cav side. Well done, and may all the fallen regardless of side rest in peace.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you.

[@mikerelva6915]

Agreed. It is one of these mythical events that is enchanting, like the sinking of the Titanic. If one had a time machine it is a top 5 moment in history I would visit simply owing to the mystery. It was so much more brutal than people realize too, the Sioux were absolutely brutal and hacked the horses and men to pieces. It is now thought that Custer actually committed suicide, as well as many of the other men, rather than end up in Sioux hands. The Sioux pulled the men's eye balls out, cut off their penises, hacked off their arms and legs, even were said to have stuck an arrow up Custer's dick hole 💀 Don't let the modern history books fool you with their fake news take on 'the noble savage' who were living in utopia until the evil white man came along. The Sioux were a horrible, brutal and genocidal people who were on Crow lands and were mercilessly bullying the Crow and smaller tribes for centuries. The Europeans were the only people that offered reservations, resources, casinos, reparations and peace to their defeated enemies. Had the roles been reversed the Sioux would have killed every white man and made every white woman a sex slave. The history books don't tell you that...weird how that works. After world war two everything changed as the Marxists essentially took over the United States, or as General Patton would say "we defeated the wrong enemy".

[@dianapippin6658]

Thank you JD for this amazing series. This explained the Battle of Little Big Horn better than anything I have seen to date. I actually got goosebumps watching this as the absolute horror of this situation was unfolding. I absolutely want to see LBH even more now. There is NOTHING like walking a battlefield to get the feel of the place, what took place there. This was just wow.

[@ncwoodworker]

Back in Dec ‘84 I stopped by Little Big Horn on my way to visit my brother in Great Falls. I spent about an hour walking around the battlefield. I would’ve stayed longer but the north wind was biting cold that day. The vast Prairie land is beautiful to say the least. Thanks JD for this detailed perspective of Last Stand Hill.

[@richardthacker6]

Simply stunning and one of the best detailed accounts of the battle and everything that led to the last stand itself.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@michae8jackson378]

Another wonderful series JD. Thank you. I am very glad there is memorials to the Native Americans. As an old white man I still am horrified by how we have treated them. Great message in leadership. As a retired airline pilot I teach pilots to fly biz jets. We study accidents/incidents to try and learn how NOT to do those same things that led to disaster. Same in military, biz, etc. Safe travels JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@Chris-Nico]

Thanks JD for a great American history series. Adding Jocko’s expertise was icing on the cake. 🇺🇸

[@BezmenovDisciple]

12:55 Beautiful drone shot of the battlefield with that atmospheric music playing. Thinking about the desperate souls that had their last moments on Earth there, fighting for their lives on that nameless hill thousands of miles from home. Chills.

[@metallica4384]

I literally just finished the last episode and reloaded KZbin and this popped up what a treat!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice!

[@wallydrifter]

To go off what jocko said about learning about the big mistakes that Custer made we also need to learn about how great the plains Indians were at fighting. Great serious love every minute of it. Being from wyoming and nebraska I've always been interested in the Indian ways of life. Now go to wounded knee and put that one into words for us please. Keep up the great work my friend

[@GateXC]

Great series - thanks JD. Loved re-visiting my time at the battlefield. The key takeaway from Little Bighorn and Custer, I think, is the old legal adage: "past performance is no indication of future results." IMO Custer doesn't deserve as much disdain that's heaped on him; he acted as he had previously against Indians where it all worked. Yes, that ended up a faulty assumption here, but who hasn't done that in their own lives? Of course we don't get slaughtered as a result. I could talk Little Bighorn for hours.

[@bravepanther86]

He put his men in danger and got most of them killed without getting info and scouting his enemies intentions

[@TMath-hi8yp]

Up until Rosebud and Little Bighorn the indians had always scattered and ran. Custer followed what was at the time, sound military strategy when facing indians. Even General Miles commented that the more he studied Custer's actions at Little Bighorn, the more he admired him. Arm-chair Generals have the benefit of hindsight. Custer was bold and decisive in his actions, but he was unaware that the indians had changed their strategy. I'm not saying he was perfect but he wasn't the fool that some try to make him out to be...IMO.

[@ToddSauve]

Custer just didn't know what he didn't know. There were too many Indians and they won. I've studied the battle for 30 years now and it was a slow motion train wreck that events and terrain dictated and obscured and the result is what we have just gone over in these four videos. It was like a conspiracy of events and no one could have stopped it unless a different policy was adopted by the US federal government. And that would have been to honour the treaties you had signed with the various tribes. The US government refused to do that, and the Lakota bands of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, and their allied Cheyenne bands refused to be bullied and knuckle under. What is silly is that so many people hate Custer as if he dictated US government policy! Custer was just a soldier issued orders originating with President Ulysses S. Grant and his war cabinet. There is where the guilt and blame rightfully and properly lays. 🤔🤷‍♂

[@TMath-hi8yp]

@@ToddSauve Very well stated.

[@redemptivepete]

There were enough people telling Custer not to split his command. Benteen and Bloody Knife both prominent amongst them! Bit like Liz Truss our mad ex UK Prime Minister ..... Custer learned nothing never listened to advice and never would/will!

[@robertboyer1679]

I had multiple great uncle with Custer. His name was Mark Bouyer,he was Custers lead scout. He was killed down in the bottom of the hill.

[@Conn30Mtenor]

I've been to Little Bighorn- I drove through Montana in late June and you can see why the Lakota and Cheyenne fought so hard to keep their country. It is a beautiful place.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

It wasn’t their country. The Lakota Sioux were from what is now called Minnesota. The Cheyenne were from much further south. P.S. the plains indians’ ancestors arrived from Siberia only a few hundred years before Europeans and wiped out the existing North Americans in fewer than 300 years. Those genocided inhabitants were not indigenous either - they were related to Solutreans from southwestern France.

[@TylerLedford-x4o]

​@@Frankie5Angels150 The Cheyenne are originally from the Great Lakes area, not from the south. They were pushed out by the Hurons who obtained guns from the French. The ancestors of Native Americans were probably from Siberia but it was a longer time ago than just a few hundred years.

[@lddcavalry]

Their country? The crow might dispute that.

[@lddcavalry]

Ignorant analysts falling for the old glory seeking baloney. You know nothing of his character nor military tactics at least there is some nice aerials of the field.

[@OriginalAmerican789]

Traveling to the battlefield is on my bucket list

[@stevemccarty6384]

I first visited the site in 1976 just a few days after the Indians lead by Russell Means made a big stink there. In those days all of the roads and paths were dirt. Today the site is criss crossed my miles of paved trails and roads. I liked it better before.

[@thomaspierce3650]

This 4-part series was OUTSTANDING ! ! !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

I love the inclusion of animation to help conceptualize troop movements and locations. Helps add to my understanding.

[@JeffreyGlover65]

Visiting Little Bighorn is my next bucket list item. Thank you for another amazing video JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Heck of a place. Thanks!

[@MJ-we9vu]

When I was there in the 1990s the Park service offered a guided tour in a nice passenger van. It took you along the path the 7th used to approach the village and past key points of the battle with a very knowledgeable guide. The whole thing lasted 1-1/2 to 2 hours if I recall (with a stop at the Garryowen convenience store to support the local economy) and was well worth it. Highly recommended.

[@nmelkhunter1]

I finally had a chance to watch part four and the whole series was well done. The commentary from Jocko and JD is to be pondered and taken to heart. Thank you to everyone.

[@Seth.W.]

This has been a great series, excellent work!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@chrisgacek8089]

Absolutely. Thie series has been magnificent. I’m now on my third viewing.

[@jeffs8614]

Thanks for the hard work. It really makes a difference when you can "see" the battle landscapes. Keep the history coming.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@bzr4963]

Really loving this series and the way you format your videos. Thanks JD!

[@jeffjeff4477]

Love the WW2 and Civil War episodes. This is a fascinating story and is often overlooked , great segment

[@SMTraz]

HELL YEAH. Been waiting for this one to drop. Gonna blow off a work meeting to watch it now! 😀

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Good call. 😂

[@kamala2111]

This series was fantastic, thanks for taking us all on the battlefield.

[@jeff2178]

Custer's picture falling was brilliant cinematography

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That was an accident. The dang wind was killing me. :)

[@bobreece5842]

Exactly. Blew me away. No pun.

[@ToddSauve]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Sometimes the wind blows for dramatic purpose JD, and isn't an accident.

[@dianapippin6658]

@@ToddSauve It was perfect!

[@RV-eq8gj]

Good job in this presentation- I think one thing that is missed by the narrators is that fact that there were 1000s of Indians IMMEDIATELY around Custers men - all the Indian accounts are told and the archeological finds are revealed but what is lacking is all this went on in one big fatal swoop - the entire battle was over in less than 20 minutes - like the Indians said it was over as quick as it takes a hungry man to eat a dinner- and thats exactly what happened- Gall with 1000 warriors on one side and Crazy Horse with a 1000 warriors put the clamp down on the soldiers rapidly- it was an outright slaughting - the soldiers were completely overwhelmed by shear numbers

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

We covered that in the prior episodes. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisgross448]

My mother is a Oglala Lakota, and I’m very proud that my family helped make them greasy patches on the Prairie !

[@patrickkenney1080]

Another outstanding video-thank you! I live 45 minutes from the battlefield-my distant cousin, 1st Sergeant Michael Kenney died right below Custer. The only battlefield that has markers where the men fell.

[@cyndiebill6631]

This was an awesome series. Please do more about the American West. There is so little told about. John Wayne movies are great but sadly that’s where most Americans get their history about the West from. You make learning history so much fun and interesting so please think about doing more videos about our Western history. Thank you for mentioning the only surviving of the battle too. Not many people realize that a horse was the only surviving witness to the battle. 👍❤️

[@stevenlong1924]

You have gone and done it.... This series got me so interested that I read Nathaniel Philbrick's "Last Stand" last week and have watched a few different documentaries from PBS and one other. Super interesting history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! So glad to hear that!

[@ProjectPast1565]

This series has been absolutely fantastic JD. I’ve learned a ton. Lots of lessons to learn from this point in history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that. And I didn't even scratch the surface.

[@barbaramai7610]

Excellent series, JD! I loved everything about it, the scenery, pictures, narrative; impressive! Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks!

[@skimmer8774]

The BP oil pipeline through native reservation property in northern Minnesota show that even today battles are fought . Only today's weapons are wealth. JD I think you did a great job with this series. Explaining battles and respect for everyone.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. Appreciate that.

[@nanabutner]

GET OVER YOURSELF! You are not the only people on this earth even though you think you are! So sick of your whinnying!

[@ToddSauve]

Please explain your statement. What and whose property rights are being trampled?

[@nanabutner]

That statement is NOTHING BUT MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY BASED LIES, ANTI-PROGRESS LIES, AND ONLY WE COUNT LIES!

[@57clc]

I had read in my old college book of American history that the warriors at Little Bighorn were far better armed than Custer had believed they were.

[@GinaDAuria]

These series are a gift!! Thank you!!

[@sandramosley2801]

I don’t think I’d like to have to confront anyone on that terrain. Deceptively flat with swales everywhere, keeping track of where you and everyone else were and where you were headed to reach some successful conclusion seems like a nightmare endeavor.

[@bobreece5842]

I've always believed this terrain was one of many reasons for Custer's defeat.

[@annec781]

It always amazes me, when I have gone there, you could walk for a very short time and just disappear in one of those coulees…

[@lynnmorgan6144]

Another great video, thank you J.D. Little side note of interest: Comanche, Keogh's "lone survivor" horse, is on display at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, and has been since it's death in 1891. A taxidermist from KU named Lewis Dyche was given the job of stuffing and mounting Comanche when he died, and he agreed to waive his usual $400 fee for the job if the Army would let KU keep Comanche. And he's still there in the Museum, which is in Dyche Hall on campus. The whole story of Comanche (who was quite a witness to history, having also later been at Wounded Knee in 1890) is quite interesting and worth a Google!

[@billd2635]

Been there twice. Glad you mentioned the "deep ravine" bellow Last Stand Hill. I dont think those men were fleeing toward the river. Thats straight into the Indian camp. Likely they were from the sortie Custer ordered into the village, and they found the best cover they could after being repulsed. That ravine has stayed with me all this time. It was like staring down into a mass grave. Thanx for this series.

[@stannisb7693]

Mike Donahue is a Ranger at Little Big Horn. Custer was waiting for the ammunition packs. He sent Martini the bugler to ‘Hurry bring packs’ he was relying on Reno and Benteen. Reno lost his head whatever way you look at it. Also Terry ordered Custer to scout to his left that’s why he sent Benteen left they thought the hostile Indians would try to flee in that direction but nevertheless I enjoyed it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@mikerelva6915]

Yep. The idea was to stampede the village and take children and woman as hostage, which would then take the desire away from the warriors to fight, and then make the Indians more willing to acquiesce to Custer's (USA policy) demands. Custer did not want bloodshed, this tactic of taking prisoners worked before as bargaining chips for a peaceful resolution. People leave this part out, or they say he was trying to bully woman and children. No, he wanted a peaceful and quick resolution with as little bloodshed as possible. You're not going to be able to intimidate the Sioux warriors with your guns or bravado - the only way to bring them to heel was to take their children and wives captive (or kill them all, as they did to Custer). But instead of the woman and children fleeing, they said they came out of their teepees like angry hornets out of a nest.....and obviously there were way more than they anticipated. Such a fascinating battle, so complex and we will never know what happened. I do feel for Custer tho, he was just a young soldier trying to do well, restore his sullied name after Grant demoted him and do right by his family. Instead he gets the blame for everything, tho it was Terry that was in charge

[@rileymod6541]

You should read the accounts of the soldiers with Reno. It will change your mind about Reno.

[@bobreece5842]

Marker 4:53 I've loved watching this 4-part series on the Battle of the Little Bighorn, as well as the many episodes of WW2 on your channel. The Little Bighorn Battlefield is practically my second home. I interpret the battle story there as a volunteer for the Park Service. I'd appreciate a moment to correct JD Baker's comments regarding the location of the Indian village where he stood on the banks of the Little Bighorn at Medicine Tail Ford. Baker states this was the location of the center of the village, and that it continued up river to his right. We used to believe this based on historians from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and into the 80s. When NPS interpreters told the story at the battlefield in the early '80s, it was explained that the size of the village was as Baker described. While telling the story to the Monument's visitors at the visitor center patio, I would point west across the Custer National Cemetery while explaining to the audience that down in that valley stood the northern portion of this three-mile long village. Oops, not true. We now know, thanks to the work of historians John Gray, Greg Michno, and others, that the northern end of the village - the Cheyenne camp - was actually located where Baker is standing. Medicine Tail Ford was where the far northern end of the village, not the center, was located. The village grew to 1.5 miles long, not three. Everything to Baker's right, on the afternoon of June 25, 1876, was not covered with tipis. Instead, it was swarming with noncombatants frantically fleeing from the Reno attack. Picture a small American town suddenly evacuating a wildfire to understand the chaos in 1876. Additionally, Crazy Horse would move a bit further north from where Baker is standing before he would eventually turn east at the mouth of Deep Ravine, cross the river, and make history.

[@jmchinch]

“The Last Stand” by Nathaniel Philbrick (2010) is a great read for someone who wants further knowledge of the battle

[@stephenm.harrissr.6617]

Also Son of the Morning Star is very accurate. The book is much better than the miniseries

[@Chili-to1im]

Thanks JD and to all the others involved in this series. Great work, thank you sir. I really enjoyed it.

[@johnbrown5565]

I recently took a tour at Leavenworth Command and General Staff College. They still study the battle of Little Bighorn. The decisions made at different turning points in the battle, fire and maneuver, support, and reconnaissance. I am a horseman, not a soldier, one aspect of the battle that stands out - - Custer’s men and horses were exhausted when the fight began. The natives were rested with fresh mounts, and spoiling for a fight with Custer. They knew who he was. These were not the old men, women and children Custer had massacred on the Washita River in the winter of 1868 but 2500 or so Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho young strong braves. My understand you can tour the Gettysburg civil war site on horseback. I would love to ride around the Little Bighorn alone with a map and compass, no tour guide.

[@kylebreeze2421]

Thanks for eating that sunburn for us, JD. A great chance to learn some more history. Many thanks!

[@marctremblay8087]

Sush an excellent video and the failures of communicattion in leadership .the picture of Last stand hill in the distance really shows the whole scene that they had no chance to get out and fought to the end probably back to back until none could stand up to fight any more. SALUTE.

[@WaterandIceOutdoors]

Great series JD. Would be really cool to see some of the other larger US/NA battles during that period as well!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Believe it or not, I've actually tried doing more from this era on several occasions but there has been some kind of curse with me tackling Native American history. Something almost always goes sideways. Definitely doing more in the future though.

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one

[@edthered1971]

Another excellent narrated series of episodes JD 👏👏👍keep up the super work that you do, your educating me every time you produce something, my favourite channel

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@DonaldWMeyers-dwm]

Mark Kellogg, who was listed among the civilians interred on Last Stand Hill, was the editor of the Bismark Tribune and was covering the battle for the Associated Press. He is the first AP reporter to die in the line of duty.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Interesting. Didn’t know that.

[@TylerLedford-x4o]

Someone back home is saying why don't he write?

[@horizon42q]

Every time I go walk there I get that feeling, you know, that feeling. Same one I get when I walk Grant’s Headquarters at Shiloh & Strong Vincent’s rock on Little Round Top.

[@beckybanta126]

Thank you once again, JD, for taking us to history I would not have seen let alone learn more of its truths. To be truthful, I do believe that I would not want to watch videos of wars & battles except your showing & telling even tho I love history. You treat each subject with respect, acknowledging even little details that maybe overlooked. I look closer when you get excited or admire. Mostly, thank you for giving faces & insights into the lives from around the world....with dignity & respect; real persons who have affected our lives. Also appreciate the music picked. 🎶🎵😊

[@rwchidester]

I don’t want it to end! Great work as always JD. Thanks.

[@charlesfritz7131]

JD as always another great video. Many Thanks to you and your preservation of US history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks!

[@charlesfritz7131]

@@TheHistoryUnderground you're most welcome.

[@robertschultz6922]

There were a few horses that survived for the 7th but many were badly hurt and were shot by the rescue team when they came to look for Custer and barry the dead

[@markfritts5996]

Two of my favorite books on the subject and both great reading esp if you plan on visiting the battlefield: "Son of the Morning Star" by Evan S Connell, and "A Terrible Glory" by James Donovan. Both are meticulously researched and vividly told.

[@roynichols4745]

I fought through the KZbin commercials and glad I did. I am 66 years young and I learned something new today. I did not know that Custers brothers and a nephew was also killed there.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂

[@GinaDAuria]

And a brother-in-law, I believe.

[@GettysburgLentz]

Thank you for sharing this story and this series. I have learned so much from it and series like this one are why I love this channel. Little Big Horn is a special place and must be visited to be understood. Thank you again for taking us there with you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@406Speedway]

Great video series as always hopefully you can come back up here there’s a lot of history in that area Fetterman battlefield and battle of the Rosebud those took place before the Little Bighorn Battle

[@grahamhorne6956]

What a stunningly good analysis. Your Little Bighorn battle has so much in common with our Balaclava. Like LBH Balaclava was a mish mash individual actions and unclear and incomprehensible orders. Major Reno's experience closely resembles that of Gen Scarlett (The Heavy Brigade) and Campbell's 93rd Highlanders (The Thin Red Line) in that they managed to extricate themselves from actions against vastly superior numbers. You probably could liken Custer's action with that of the Light Brigade (as in the Charge of the Light Brigade commanded by the Earl of Cardigan) who charged into the wrong valley because of an unclear order and history tells the rest. Cardigan survived the charge although he spent much of the rest of his life in disgrace although the mistake wasn't his fault. On the evidence available it would seem the fault lies with a sickly old General called Raglan who didn't survive the war.

[@danferrell674]

Thank you for this "History reminder" of all what actually happened. I don't remember being taught this in school.

[@MW-bi1pi]

Love this series JD, as I do ALL your work. One correction though; this was NOT Cheyenne and Lakota land. It was Crow land being stolen by the Lakota and Cheyenne. That is why the Crow Tribe allied themselves with the Army against their traditional invaders and enemies. You see, ALL Indian Tribes ebbed and flowed in their ancestral lands because of inter Tribal warfare, slavery and massacres of opposing Tribes....It just so happened that the Whites were the strongest 'Tribe' from that point onward. Essentially the Whites were playing by the rules set by the Native Americans; The strongest Tribe wins the best Land until THEY are then pushed out by the new strongest Tribe. That seems to be Global Human History in effect. Your Videos are ALWAYS top quality JD, and your music selection is the best. . Thanks so much.

[@MrJamesjustin]

JD, you and your team do an extraordinary job with your documentaries. Thankyou so much for your efforts.

[@StephenLuke]

RIP To the 268 US cavalrymen and scouts (six who were wounded later died of wounds),136 Native American warriors, and ten non-combatant Native Americans who were killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn

[@swgeek4310]

Appreciate this series. Wasn't as familiar with this battle. Really does make you wonder.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that you enjoyed it!

[@donlum9128]

Pick your fights wisely. Be leary of incompetent leadership. I recommend the book entitled, "I fought with Custer."

[@nickshaffer9961]

Excellent series from start to finish. Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@stude1953]

Excellent four part series! Enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gaylewright8270]

Wonderful series, JD! Thanks for the great documentaries!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@allengrant]

Great series, JD. Absolutely fascinating.

[@lynnhoffmann247]

I read a book in junior high school about the horse that was the only survivor of the battle. Great short book. Comanche of the Seventh was the title, I think…it was 50+ years ago! 😂

[@TrooBlud34]

You have one of the most incredible sites on KZbin. You should have well over 1 million subscribers.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@TrooBlud34]

@TheHistoryUnderground I don't mean to blow your ego over the edge, but your videos; in my view, have no equal🤷‍♂️ They really are just top notch. I'm currently in Kentucky, but the wife and I spent a few days at the Little Big Horn battlefield last May, and it really was eye opening. It's one thing to see the layout on a video, but something altogether different to be at the site in person, obviously. Surreal. And I hadn't commented before, but your videos on the Obersalsburg and the demolished Berghof were amazing. The music you picked was incredible. Anyhoo.... keep up the amazing work, and safe travels to you🤩👍

[@corychecketts]

Very well done! I'm going to make sure to visit Last Stand Hill on my next cross-country road trip. Thanks for the awesome work you do, JD!

[@NDB469]

Lots I didn’t know about this situation, thanks for the videos on this, great finale!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jme2234]

Custer is an American hero. Mopped the floor with the confederates. Was he arrogant? Yes. But he was also an incredible leader. I recommend Thom Hatch’s Glorious War: The Civil War Adventures of George Armstrong Custer. History has painted Custer in such a stupid light when in fact he was easily one of the bravest officers the US military has ever produced.

[@edwardpoe7323]

Custer's fatal flaw was the same thing that had led him to fame and glory. His unfailing belief in his own propaganda

[@mcvet57103]

I've been to Little Big Horn twice. The sheer size of the battlefield is overwhelming. And as you drive along the road and stop at the points of interest, and see all the markers scattered across the hills and valleys for miles, the reality of just how much violence and tragedy took place there begins to sink in, and it almost becomes a religious experience. A feeling of walking on hallowed ground, of both of the men of the 7th who died, and the realization that this battle was the death knell of the indian nation. I found this Documentary especially good in describing the movements of the elements of Custers, force. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4W1lISKirxjrM0

[@myirisheyesaresmiling5037]

Such tragic loss on both sides. The land, sacred for so many reasons, was being stolen from the Native Americans and they fought to keep it. Rightfully so. This is just one of the saddest stories in our history. Is our nation being stolen once again? History has a way of repeating itself.

[@douglipscomb3002]

Great footage and story telling. Watching from Australia and big fan of your channel! Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome, thank you!

[@nealewilliamson7966]

Ive been listening to The Rest Is History Podcast that has done a fantastic retelling of Custers Last stand. This video has made it even more poignant. Great Video!

[@martinkirby3100]

As a British citizen I am very interested in American history and I have watch so many videos about the little big horn battle and in each video custer is depicted as a great war hero but in fact all he was was a coward who killed for blood lust and his ego was probably out of control

[@nathanwilkins3039]

Thank you for sharing. Wow! was the word that came to mind at the end of this series, even this video.

[@getoffenit7827]

New video!! Hello from Cebu,Philippines!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Hello! Hope that you enjoyed it.

[@406Speedway]

Kumasta,I’ll be there in July

[@judygrandstrand9784]

Another amazing and educational series. Many thanks!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mattpiepenburg8769]

Nicely done gents. History is our best teacher and you are exceptional liaisons :)

[@kgobrien1]

Well done series. Clearly and thoughfully presented.

[@clkgroup6367]

Thank you for this excellent four part series.

[@slimfire5475]

Awesome series J.W and every video series you no mater what is Top Notch and just full of great Information. Thank you for this fascinating video. PS Hope more is on the way.

[@julieknowles7063]

Staying in Spearfish SD in 1974. I was only over there for 6 weeks, and did a bit of travelling. Unfortunately, not to Little Bighorn. Don't think I'll get to do it now.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Well, glad that I could share the experience then. Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgeWaite-w2o]

Custers biggest mistake was dividing his command up. When Custer entered the encampment of the Indians, the Indians chased him and his soldiers. Custer and his men are being pursued. Calhoun and his men try to get back with Custer. At Calhoun Hill, soldiers had no where to run.Soldiers were on horses and the horses were tired. They rode their horses all day. At Last Stand Hill ,the markers pile up. The markers were placed where the soldiers fell. Company I was holding the defense along Calhoun Hill. Soldiers were dismounted from their horses, trying to find cover. In the last moments of their lives,they tried to run. Warriors were closing in at Last Stand Hill. The Skirmish Line collapsed. Not one soldier escaped alive. Soldiers were running for their lives. Custer sentenced his own men to death. Custers family was decimated here. Tragic all around. When the skirmish lines collapsed, it was every man for themselves.

[@TheMatrix1170]

Great series. I love the way you showed us the battlefield and the input from EF!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@jacquestedcooper]

Excellent series! I was there several years ago and it was an eerie place. Great job!

[@hectorarbolay]

so one brave fool, a drunk and a wondering according to this material What a combination to be the best light cavalry

[@marionjohansson4235]

Amazing . Thank you. When I look at the names, so many of them are familiar to me. It’s sobering. Generations go, but do we learn… I don’t know.

[@HatCreekMan57]

This is a great series. Thanks for all the work and information.

[@pjhunton]

Fantastic video, incredible depth and well presented. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidsummerville351]

Incredible series. Thank you so much.