Hollywood Be Damned
This book is set just before the end
of the Civil War. It chronicles the lives of both George Armstrong Custer and a
main character, David Cole (Fictional), until the fateful day, in a desolate
plain, in June of 1876, when they were both killed in battle.
This is not just another book about the
Little Big Horn, as that topic has been argued into the dust. But a look into why
history has defamed a brilliant soldier. My father was head of the Military History
Department at West Point. He instilled in all his students and family one
certain truth, that the key to historical research is getting the original
facts and not just a regurgitation from a professor, quoting a newspaper. After
much research, one fact glaring stands out: “A brilliant combat commander
doesn’t suddenly forget everything he spent a lifetime learning and doing”. I
earned my Green Beret as
a 1st Lieutenant Military Intelligence officer, and I have felt compelled
to tell this story.
The extensive research of both
Custer in civil war and his subsequent actions in the Indian wars gives the
reader the chance to see another side of him that is never shown
in movies. Movies that have depicted him as an arrogant, pompous fop. The
reader gets to meet the love of his life, “Libby” Custer, who was known as the
most beautiful woman in a town known for beautiful women.
Custer proved himself over and over as
the best cavalry officer in the Civil War. An opinion shared not only by the
Union but also the Confederacy! Custer studied the history of the best
cavalry units in the world, those of the Napoleonic Wars and the Kings German
Cavalry. Just one example of his military strategy defining a defense when
troops made the mistake in combat of “mobbing horses” in an attack. He addressed it
on several engagements. Yet, Sitting Bull did just that! Custer would have
taken immediate advantage of that mistake and taken out 100’s in a single
volley. Yet, instead of doing that, he stops to send “the note.” The life and
death message requesting ammunition. Why did Reno not send the ammo?
Was it a coincident that Custer had just
testified in congress against President Grant’s brother? A man who had stolen over $400,000.00 (2012
money) a year from the funds what were designated for the Indians.
This book is a walk back in time, to
the civil war environment. It will reveal the dynamics of staying alive in
post-Civil War West Texas. Expose the epicenter of covert actions of the
Mexican government to subvert the United States by equipping the once
non-hostile Apache with modern weapons and ammunition to go north and murder at
will. It discloses the courageous souls and dedication of the Texas Ranger
Company. It engages the many aspects of colorful characters, while weaving
detailed history into the fabric of the story. A story that needs to be told.