The Montana Column: March to the Little Bighorn

by James H. Bradley, Brian V. Hunt (Editor)

Lieutenant James H. Bradley was the chief of scouts of the 7th Infantry under General John Gibbon. After George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry headed up Rosebud Creek to the Little Bighorn, Gibbon's Montana Column was to approach the Little Bighorn Valley from the west and trap the Sioux and Cheyenne between the two forces.

Custer attacked early and Lt. Bradley and his scouts were the first to find the bodies of five companies that perished under the boy general.

In this remarkable journal, kept during the 1876 campaign up to the discovery of the disaster at the Little Bighorn, soldier-scholar and historian Bradley observed and recorded some of the most important events of the entire summer. Reading betwen the lines, you get Bradley's opinion of Custer and others he served alongside.

Intending to publish the journal, Bradley began rewriting it from his notes in 1877. Sadly, he was killed at the Battle of Big Hole. Fortunately for history, his widow donated his papers to the Montana Historical Society and here for the first time is the journal in an annotated, well-formatted edition for e-readers, tablets, and smartphones.

Every memoir of the American Indian Wars provides us with another view of the movement that changed the country forever.

Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2015

Reviews

[R.E. Admore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a journal of an officer during the Indian War, the objective of which was to return the Lakota and Cheyenne to their reservations. Some natives always lived in the land near the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers and others were forced to return and join these bands because of poor conditions on the reservations. The book is a revealing look at the everyday life of an army on the march, the weather and terrain through which they traveled, and the personal experiences and outlook of the soldiers and Indian scouts engaged in the conflict. It is a simple book, not big on politics. It does reflect the prejudices of the time but also shows the high regard the soldiers held for the fighting ability of Native American warriors. Bradley led a unit of native scouts and was the first to see the Custer Battlefield.

[Jan Komrska · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Bradley’s journal offers a rare, ground-level view of General Gibbon’s campaign against the Sioux, as he leads a detachment of scout Crows and soldiers toward the fateful Little Bighorn Valley. His meticulous daily entries build anticipation, tracing the army’s progress toward what would become one of the most infamous clashes in American history. Yet the narrative is cut short—Bradley himself is murdered before the final attack, leaving the account unfinished.

The book culminates with a fragment that confirms General Custer’s death, while dispelling rumors of mutilation by the Sioux. The abrupt ending robs the work of closure, leaving readers with more questions than answers. Thus we’re left with a haunting reminder of how history itself can be silenced mid-sentence.

[Bill Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as it provided insight as to the sacrifices of the 1800’s army. One can almost feel the extreme cold they had to deal with while the commanding generals sat back in their quarters with feet up against stoves. Bradley himself appears to me as a man very capable of command, and one with an interest in historical places evidenced by his visits to abandoned forts. I wonder if his initials are still visible in the rocks?

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

See for yourself

Well written first-hand account of the Army at this tragic time. Helped me understand, not only what it was like to be in the Army back the n, but also a view of the field post-battle.

[Robert Roerden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly written with much detail.

I found Lt. Bradley’s diary fascinatingly rich with detail and well written. A delightful read. I would highly recommend reading if interested in Custer’s, Terry’s and Gibbons’s pursuit of the Sioux hostiles in 1876.

[Carl Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting if lacking in battle details.

Interesting but not because of any insight to the battle/massacre but an interesting insight to the soldiers life in the field in the 1800s.

[Jordan Jungwirth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read.

A day by day account leading up to the death of Custard. Very interesting and a quick read. Truly enjoyed it.

[WILLIAM SHISLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great History

A well written account of the search for the Souix in the spring of 1876. It is just such a shame that the author was killed before he could finish the story.

[Frank Liska · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Interesting Twist on the Little Big Horn

The common view was that Custer acted outside of his orders. This book, a diary of an officer in Crook’s command, was doing exactly what Gen. Terry ordered him to do as part of a strategy meeting just days earlier when all the commands were together at the headwaters of the Rosebud. Good read about day to day on the campaign.

[Gerald Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book from Amazon.com Kindle books. This book helps with my on-going study of the life and times of the 18th century. Good source of details about the cultures that clashed in the late years of the century. I enjoyed this book, Good book.