The Strategy of Defeat at the Little Big Horn: A Military and Timing Analysis of the Battle

by Frederic C. Wagner III

The battle that unfolded at the Little Big Horn River on June 25, 1876, marked a watershed in the history of the Plains Indians. While a stunning victory for the Sioux and Cheyenne peoples, it initiated a new and vigorous effort by the U.S. government to rid the west of marauding tribes and to realize the ideal of "Manifest Destiny."

While thousands of books and articles have covered different aspects of the battle, few if any have analyzed the tactics and chronology to arrive at a satisfactory explanation of what befell George Armstrong Custer and the 209 men who died alongside him. This volume seeks to explain the circumstances culminating in the near-destruction of the 7th Cavalry Regiment by a close examination of timing, setting every event to a specific moment based on accounts of the battle's participants.

555 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2014

Reviews

[Julia Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book based on facts, not contentions or theory. If you want to know what happened on the Little Bighorn River, in June, 1876, read it.

[Alan Beattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a combined review of all of the late Mr Wagner's brilliant books.

Review
These excellent books are a necessity if you require any factual historical information on the
Battle of the Little Big Horn.
The Author a highly esteemed dedicated historian has written the bedrock of books regarding the Little Big Horn.
Frederic C Wagner III ( what a magnificent moniker ) is a former decorated military officer and after his service he was an executive on Wall Street.
An incredible active gentleman who has written numerous articles in various noted journals, he has also published reviews and spoken at many presentations to various organisations throughout the USA.
I would recommend these books to readers with an understanding of the LBH history. The detail contained within each volume is outstanding - a prime source for the serious reader.
All four books go way beyond the realms of amateur historians ( like myself ) containing detailed analysis.The books encompass the whole campaign, the march up to the LBH, the tactics involved, the valley fighting leading up to the Last Stand.
Also previous knowledge of the whole Sioux Campaign would be most helpful before you delve into these tomes. The Great Sioux Campaign of 1876 by Mr Wagner is an astonishing chronology highlighting movements day by day, three days prior to the battle hour by hour, the battle itself minute by minute. A unique masterpiece created from many years of research by the noted authority of the genre.
Bibliographic details :
All titles are published by McFarland & Co. Ltd. ( based in the USA - available in the UK from Eurospan or myself ) McFarland are a leading publisher of academic non-fiction.Their books are of the highest specification and quality.
The Strategy of Defeat at the Little Big Horn - A Military and Timing Analysis of the Battle.
55 photos & illus. 12 maps.
296 pages pub.2014
Paperback - £41.95
Participants in the Battle of the Little Big Horn - A Biographical Dictionary of Sioux,Cheyenne and United States Military Personnel .
3 maps
352 pages pub.2015
Paperback - £41.95
Marcus Reno in the Valley of the Little Big Horn - Limited Means,Excessive Aims.
25 photos
263 pages pub.2021
Paperback - £41.95
The Great Sioux Campaign of 1876,Day by Day.
25 photos
277 pages pub 2022
Paperback £41.95
All written by Frederic C Wagner III
Review by Alan Beattie, Americana Books

[Kent Dorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly important work on the Custer battle at Little Big Horn analyzing the accounts of as many participants who left testimonies over the years as could be followed. The author painstakingly breaks the entire battle down through the use of time sequences. If you think you know the story of the battle of the LBH, I challenge you to read this book and tell me it didnt make you think about things in a different light. I know it did for me.

[Ryan Hopping · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect reading for any Custer buff. Once finished, one will find themselves referring back to it multiple times a day. Service advisory: Keep on your nightstand forever.