I read and enjoyed Tom Clavin’s book on Custer and the
Battle of the Little Bighorn, Vengeance: The Last Stand of Custer, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, just as I’ve enjoyed his other
books on Wild West legendary historic figures, several of which I covered for the Washington Times.
I reached out to him and asked why he write the book and why he
called the book Vengeance.
Clavin: Two immediate reasons were to
commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and
to offer my take on iconic characters like George Custer and Crazy Horse, as I
had done with "Wild Bill" and "Tombstone." To me, vengeance
motivated many of the tragic events of war between the U.S. Army and the Plains
tribes.
Davis: How does your book differ from other
books about Custer and the Little Big Horn battle?
Clavin: I'd like to think one major difference
is it is not Custer-centric. No doubt, Custer is a fascinating figure in
American history, but so much about what became "Custer's Last Stand"
can be seen in the personalities and actions of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and
other dynamic Native characters.
Davis: How would you describe Custer?
Clavin: A charismatic man, which helped to make him a
popular figure, and a war-lover, which made him both desirable and expendable
to his Army superiors. Custer was a celebrity who was most comfortable in the
middle of a battle.
Davis: Why was Custer defeated?
Clavin: He got much more battle than he
bargained for. He underestimated and under-respected the power and devotion of
the Sioux-Cheyenne coalition. At least as much of a factor was the brilliance
and "good medicine" of Sitting Bull. Every book and movie that makes
Custer look stupid or foolish (and he was neither), diminishes the achievement
of Sitting Bull in defeating the Army's best field general.
Davis: Why does Custer’s “Last Stand” still
fascinate readers?
Clavin: It is a "300 Spartans"-like
scenario --- a commander and his men holding out as long as they can against
insurmountable odds. And the Little Bighorn battle ranks right along with
the Alamo, Gettysburg, O.K. Corral, etc., as one of the most dramatic clashes
on American soil.
Davis: Who was Major Reno and what role did he play in the famous battle?
Clavin: He was Custer's second in command who was bedeviled by drink, especially during the Little Bighorn battle. He survived despite himself, but many of his troopers did not.
Davis: What officer stood out as
competent and brave in the conflict?
Clavin: To me, a big surprise was the heroism of Captain Frederick Benteen. He loathed Custer and spent much of the June 25 battled leading his battalion aimlessly, but the next day, while his and Reno's combined command were under siege, he exposed himself to hundreds of arrows and bullets to lead a successful resistance.
Davis: How would you describe Sitting Bull and
Crazy Horse, Custer’s opponents?
Clavin: Great warriors and charismatic men.
There was about a 10-year age gap so Sitting Bull, the acclaimed leader of the
Sioux-Cheyenne coalition, took care of the strategy and Crazy Horse carried it
out as the field general.
Davis: How did the battle of the Little Big Horn
result in the end of the Indian Wars?
Clavin: The vengeful murder of Crazy Horse a year later
and the exile (and eventual death) of Sitting Bull removed the two most
inspiring Native leaders. The vengeance of the Army accelerated the virtual
imprisonment of tribes on reservations. And the ultimate act of vengeance was
the massacre at Wounded Knee, perpetrated by a reconstituted 7th Cavalry.
It was the last major "battle" of the Indian Wars.
Davis: Thanks for speaking to us.
Note: You can read my earlier columns via the link below:
Paul Davis On Crime: My On Crime Fiction, True Crime & Thrillers Columns
Below is a photo of Tom Clavin:
Note: You can read my other On Crime Fiction, True Crime & Thrillers column via the link below:
Paul Davis On Crime: My On Crime Fiction, True Crime & Thrillers Columns
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