Battle of the Rosebud: Prelude to the Little Big Horn (Montana and the West Series) [Hardcover]

Neil C. Mangum (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0912783117 | ISBN-13: 978-0912783116 | Publication Date: February 1988

Illus dj, 206p, 10 b&w photos, frontis, 8 pen & ink line drawings. 7 two-color maps, app's, notes, biblio, index. El Segundo 1996 edition. Prelude to the Little Big Horn, "THE BATTLE OF THE ROSEBUD," is an in-depth study by the Superintendent of the Little Bighorn National Monument of a little-known but important battle that took place a few days before the Battle of the Little Big Horn. VOLUME 5 of MONTANA AND THE WEST SERIES. Cover art/line drawings by Montana artist Hank Maynard. BRAND NEW PRINTING WITH CORRECTIONS!! Talented Neil Mangum has hit the jack-pot with this comprehensive account of the ROSEBUD BATTLE.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Battle of the Rosebud belongs in every Indian War library. "...well-written, detailed, and readable. A much needed and excellent book on an interesting and important frontier engagement." Robert D. Norris. The definitive book on the Battle of the Rosebud. $35.00

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Upton & Sons (February 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912783117
• ISBN-13: 978-0912783116
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Total Picture of a Critical Battle of the Sioux War, December 30, 2000

By 

Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle of the Rosebud: Prelude to the Little Big Horn (Montana and the West Series) (Hardcover)

Mangum, the Superintendent of the Little Big Horn (LBH) battlefield writes a portrayal of the Crook's campaign against the Sioux that culminates in the Battle of the Rosebud 8 days prior to Custer's attack. Since the LBH is roughly 30 miles southeast of the LBH, Mangum is extraordinarily familiar with the battlefield that still looks like it did 134 years ago. The book covers Crook's earlier March campaign where he was first in the field which peaked at a failed attempt to destroy a predominately Cheyenne village which also included some Sioux on the Powder. Crook again restarts in June with almost 200 Shoshone and Crow allies. As Mangum expertly retells the battle, Crook is surprised while encamped leisurely along Rosebud Creek on June 17. Mangum notes that Crook was similarly surprised also with great consequences in the battle of Cedar Creek in 1864 where he was surprised by Jubal Early. In the description of the battle, Mangum points out that if it wasn't for the Shoshone and Crow who spotted the Sioux and Cheyenne first relatively distant from camp while also absorbing the initial attack, Crook's command may have been destroyed. The allies gave Crook's troopers a chance to prepare for the attack. Crook's forces, which included mule mounted infantry and miners, stemmed the attack but as Mangum points out, the Sioux seemed to come at Crook from three sides from the high ground to the north. After Crook seems to control the battle, Colonel Royall with his calvary battalion rolls up the Indian right so successfully, his enthusiasm isolates himself from Crook allowing the Sioux and Cheyenne to consolidate against him requiring a furious battle of retrograde movements causing the most severe casualties of Crook's forces. Mangum states that Crook was in peril with Royall's potential collapse because Crook sent off another battalion to the Indian's left in search of their village that was not in the immediate area as perceived. Only the recall of Mills saves the day but the Sioux and Cheyenne have initiated enough casualties and psychological harm to cause Crook to retire and take over a month to retrofit his command. I was at the Rosebud site in 1999 and had I read Mangum's book with the terrain maps, my tour would have been far more beneficial. The battlefield today is a State park and the modest valley that Crook stopped in on June 17 looks is framed with high hills and interesting landmarks like Conical Hill. This is a great book about a key battle that indicated that the Sioux and Cheyenne were agressive in defending their village which was overlooked by all of Sheridan's generals. This battle besmirched Crook's otherwise great post Civil War career.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as it gets, August 12, 2000

By 

Longtime editor (Behind the desk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battle of the Rosebud: Prelude to the Little Big Horn (Montana and the West Series) (Hardcover)

Between the confusion typical of any engagement and the scarcity of surviving testimony, it may be that no definitive account of any Euro-American vs. American Indian battle can ever be produced. However, Neil Mangum has produced a through, balanced, and convincing book that is as close as any such work may ever come to being authoritative.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars riveting in all it's accuracy, December 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Battle of the Rosebud: Prelude to the Little Big Horn (Montana and the West Series) (Hardcover)

This is by far the most intriguing and accurate book I have read concerning the Rosebud. Neil Mangum's writing is accurate and a complete joy to read.