The Welcome back everyone to one thousand one heroes, legends, histories, and mysteries.

And Little Big Horn, part three, the backstory.

Myth versus Reality.

Today, in part three, we examine the reality versus the myth of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

To many, the story often called Custer's Last Stand, serves as a stunning example of overreach

and poor military leadership.

To others, sadly, it serves as a deserved response

for injustices done to the American Indians, forgetting that there are two sides to every story

and to every war. The Battle of the Little Big Horn and the loss of General Custer and many of his

men was a huge story when it hit the Eastern newspapers during the

centennial celebration of July 4, 1876. All the expected emotions were played out through

the media, which was almost exclusively newspapers and magazines. Anger, shock, disbelief,

a sense of loss.

Then, retribution, and blame.

Custer was a national hero, well known for his daring and successful exploits during the Civil War,

which raised him to the rank of Brevet General.

He and his young wife Libby had traveled east, spent time in New York, and down the interview circuits, rubbing elbows with the elite and the well-connected, not only in the northeast, but in

Washington, D.C., as well, where political possibilities for Custer showed promise, if they could get

a Democrat in the White House after Grant. The news of Custer's death was unacceptable.

The news that thousands of Indians were on the warpath on the frontier

meant the failure of our government and our military to keep them on reservations,

and all that blame was placed on Grant's doorstep.

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