The day time ran out

Every year about this time

Every year as May 17 approaches, my mind shifts to thoughts of George Armstrong Custer and the troopers of the Seventh United States Army Cavalry. That date was on a Wednesday in 1876 and it was the departure date from Fort Abraham Lincoln in the middle of what is now North Dakota on the ill-fated expedition which for many men ended on Sunday, June 25, on the plains by the Little Bighorn River in what is now southeastern Montana.

Many hours in time and many miles in travel have gone into learning as much as my meager mind can hold related to Custer and the days of his 36 years on the surface of the earth --  especially the final month. In a way, I feel exhausted and worn out regarding this episode in the life and legend and mythology of George .... but, I always can find a few words ....

As a journalist, an individual comes in personal contact with all manner of other individuals and, depending up where he or she is working, they range in scope and character from the very poor to the wealthy and powerful; from the obscure to those on the pinnacle of the celebrity mountain; from the shy and timid to the extremely brazen; from the worst criminals imaginable to people among the upper echelons of law enforcement. I assume you get my drift.

I have characterized myself as a chameleon of sorts, who as a reporter has been able to interview a governor in the morning and a murderer in the afternoon, and to make each of them comfortable speaking with me about their lives and loves and you name it. This trait mostly stems from a natural-born curiosity and a willingness to ask anyone anything. An oddity about the time and the miles I have put in related to studying the "Custer Connections" is that it almost seems to me many of the individuals in that story have come to be like people I have interviewed person-to-person and I have actual memories of their words and body language. Hmmmm ....

I will add that I have interviewed some descendants of participants on both sides of the battle and been told a few oral traditions which have been passed along over the years -- some believable, some not.

Custer died that day, along with 15 other officers of the Seventh Calvary, 242 enlisted and 10 civilians/scouts, for a total of 268 killed, plus another 55 wounded. Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe casualties numbered at least 36 killed, 168 wounded (according to Sitting Bull) or 136 killed, 160 wounded (according to Red Horse).

Such were the numbers of dead and wounded that day. Pictured here are eight of those officers. I put them here this day as a reminder that many more men than G.A. Custer died the afternoon of June 25, 1876 -- 143 years ago today -- and through images of these eight to show them as actual flesh and blood, breathing human beings whose lives were snuffed out that bloody Sunday at "Greasy Grass," as the Indians called it. No more hope/dreams/plans .... no more anything after the day their time ran out ....

Some incidentals:

Thomas Custer was George's younger brother by six years and had won two Congressional Medals of Honor during the Civil War. His reputation was as a heavy-duty womanizer.

James Calhoun was married to Margaret "Maggie" Custer, George's sister. "Jimmi" was thought of as a serious and humorless man. His body and those of the troopers he commanded were found in battle formation, indicating a brave death. A Smith & Wesson revolver of his which had been left behind at Fort Lincoln is on display at the battlefield museum.

W.W. Cooke lied about his age to join the army at age 17, and was one of the best shots and fastest runners in the regiment. He was the author of the famous note: "Benteen. Come On. Big village. Be quick. Bring packs. WW Cooke. P.S. Bring Pacs."

Benjamin "Benny" Hodgson was a favorite of both George and Elizabeth "Libbie" Custer. He was wounded during the retreat of troops commanded by Major Marcus Reno and was killed soon after crossing the Little Bighorn River. There actually were two 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Hubert Hodgsons killed at the Little Bighorn, which creates confusion.

Myles Keogh was born in Ireland and a professional soldier. As a 20-year-old, he fought for the Papal States during the war for unification of Italy and later in the Civil War. An Agnus Dei medal he wore around his neck still was on his body when he was found. His horse, Comanche, was the only survivor in George's immediate command.

George Yates met Custer while recuperating from a Civil War wound. He was said by some to share an obsession for cleanliness with George. Fort Yates in Dakota Territory was named in his honor.

James "Jack" Sturgis was a 22-year-old lieutenant and one of nineteen troopers presumed killed at the Little Bighorn, but whose body never was found in the sense of positive identification. He is thought to have been buried in a mass grave at the battlefield.

Algernon Smith was part of the so-called "Custer Clan." He was given the nickname "Fresh" Smith by George to differentiate him from another soldier who bore the nickname "Salty" Smith.

All these men, unless otherwise noted, died near George on Custer Hill -- appropriately called by many Last Stand Hill.

Time flies whether you are having fun or not ....