Customer Reviews

Legend into History (Custer Library)

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This is possibly the most complete work on the actual Battle of the Little Big Horn. Mr. Kuhlman presents his evidence very convincingly. More like reading a text book, it is sometimes hard to stay focused, but is a must read for anyone with more than a basic knowledge of the battle.

This is a great book by one of the classic researchers on Custer. Interesting to note that Kuhlman was a historian by profession whose deafness caused him to retire eventualy living near Billings a short hour drive from the Little Bighorn. Kuhlman probably spent more hours on the field than any other Custer writer which is quite a contrast to one of the greatest Custer writers of the early to mid 1900s , Colonel Graham who never visited the field. Kuhlman lacks the more recent knowledge of the archeological evidence and the story behind the accidental placement of the extra 40 grave markers but his reasoning of what and why events unfolded is fascinating. Bold opinions supported by facts in most cases make the book a pleasure, Kuhlman acknowledges that Benteen never had a good word for anyone and that he exagerated for his own benefit but states honestly that Custer respected him as a soldier and expected him to close up and support him. As Pohanka writes, Kuhlman conflicts with modern contemporaries in reasoning that Custer sent three companies south to Calhoun Hill to create a bridgehead to Benteen only after sighting him at Weir Point (as opposed to having stopped their much earlier while Custer and E & F moved forward). However, the thought that Custer slowed and stayed on the eastern side of the River after Reno's collapse makes good sense particularly if a reunification was expected. Kuhlman describes the Indian way of fighting extremely well and like another contemporary, suggests that the main attack ocurred near Custer Hill to it's west versus nearer Calhoun Hill as others state. Strong defense that Custer did not disobey his orders and he proves that General Terry's protective staff officer and relative exagerated the length of forced marches that Custer took and he demonstrates how Custer not sending a Scout to Terry made littl difference in the broad perspective of the events. More detail maps would have helped Kuhlman's finite description of the field as he provides minute details that a map would have conveyed much clearaer.