Drawing on more than 22 years’ research, this book presents an exhaustive chronology of the Great Sioux Campaign in three parts: the U.S. Seventh Cavalry’s communications, decisions and movements October 15, 1875–June 21, 1876, are traced day-by-day; the three-day prelude to the Battle of Little Bighorn hour-by-hour; and the battle itself minute-by-minute. The separate actions of the several military commands and the Indians involved are narrated in coherent sequence. Archival intelligence summaries offer the reader fresh perspective on the events leading to the decisive Indian victory known as Custer’s Last Stand.

The late Frederic C. Wagner III served as an officer both in the U.S. Army and the New York Army National Guard. He was a decorated Vietnam veteran and worked for 22 years on Wall Street, mostly as a commodities broker. He lived in Pleasantville, New York.

Frederic C. Wagner III
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 280
Bibliographic Info: 5 photos, glossary, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8214-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4527-8
Imprint: McFarland

Preface and Author’s Notes 1
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 5
Prologue: Historical Vignettes 7
Part I. Day-by-Day 11
1. Genesis: October 15, 1875–March 31, 1876 12
2. Exodus: April 33
3. Numbers: May 47
4. The Call of Trumpets: June 1 through June 21 82
Part II. Hour-by-Hour 135
5. Prelude: Thursday, June 22–Saturday, June 24 136
6. To Armageddon: Sunday Morning, June 25 162
Part III. Minute-by-Minute 175
7. Taps: The Battle of the Little Big Horn, Sunday, June 25, 11:50 am to 5:45 pm 176
8. The Siege: Monday, June 26, and Beyond 230
Chapter Notes 251
Bibliography 261
Index 267

“Excellent…a necessity…recommended…outstanding—a prime source for the serious reader…A unique masterpiece created from many years of research by the noted authority of the genre.”— Alan R Beattie, Americana Books (UK)