Customer Reviews

With Custer on the Little Bighorn: A Newly Discovered First-Person Account by William O. Taylor

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I read this book twice which is something I have never done before. The first time, I borrowed it from the public library. The second time, I purchased it from Amazon. One of the best accounts of the Little Bighorn battle I have read, and I have read many books on the subject. Highly recommended.

This book brings you into the heart and head of the ordinary cavalryman. You get an up close idea on what it must have been like to be on the advance with Custer and his men, and for a little while you can see the flash of tinderboxes as the toops marched through the night, and the distant gaze of Custer as he sat outside his tent on the eve of battle. Intriguing!

This is a first hand account written by a soldier who fought with Reno in the battle of the Little Big Horn. He seems to have made a sincere attempt at providing an accurate account of this historical event. He was possessed, and deeply effected by the battle, and spent his life studying it and comparing his memory with other survivors who had participated in the battle, both Indian and Whites.

After visiting the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana a few years back, I developed a keen interest in "Custer's Last Stand". Consequently I read "The Custer Album" by Lawrence A. Frost; "A Terrible Glory" by James Donovan; and Thomas Berger's "Little Big Man", in which he paints a panoramic of the Sioux and the Plains Indians that pops with reality; with the grand finale being the "Battle of Little Big Horn" After reading that, your only question will be.."How the hell did he do it?" It's that good. But as good as that book was, it can't quite top "With Custer on the Little Big Horn" by William O. Taylor.

Private Taylor was there. The only reason he survived is because Company A, the one that Private Taylor belonged to, was divided from the main body, along with Companies M, and G, under Major Reno. The contingent of 112 men initiated the Calvary charge and were subsequently swarmed and forced to retreat across the Little Big Horn River. It's a ride that I will never forget because I was there too..thanks to Private William Taylor's spectacular book.

If you are planning a visit to the Battlefield, make the effort to read these books before you go...if you don't, you'll regret it.

Great book about a pivotal moment in American History, A good look at the cavalry and at both sides, A reflection of the soldier fighting it, A true gem to read!