I Fought with Custer: The Story of Sergeant Windolph, last survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn

by Charles Windolph, Neil Mangum (Foreword)

Sergeant Charles Windolph was the last white survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn when he described it nearly seventy years later. A six-year veteran of the Seventh Cavalry, Windolph fought in Benteen’s troop on that fatal Sunday and recalls in vivid detail the battle that wiped out Custer’s command.
Equally vivid is the evidence marshaled by Frazier and Robert Hunt on events leading up to the battle and on the investigation that followed.

Genres: History, War, Biography, Westerns, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Historical

247 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1987

Reviews

[David Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a well-written examination of the Battle of Little Bighorn, told primarily by the last survivor of the battle, Charles Windolph, who survived into the 1940s. The first half of the book in Windolph's story. He was part of the southern end of the battle, where Reno and Benteen took defensive positions on a high bluff and held off the Sioux for two days. His narrative is clear, detailed, and captures what it was like to be a private solider in the later days of the Indian Wars.

The second half of the book is a collection of primary sources regarding the battle, mostly from reports taken shortly after it was fought. This section gets into more detail about Custer and the fate of the men following him in the northern half of the battle (famously killed to the last man). The book was written in the 1940s, so there are no modern day axes to grind, and the authors state their intention just to present the stories without taking side. Each person's details vary, based on where they were and what they did. Your get various army points-of-view, along with stories from some of the last surviving Indians to take part in the battle. All together, it is a detailed view of a famous American battle, brought to life in words of those who lived it. Would recommend for any fan of history or the American western frontier.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sergeant Charles Windolph was the last white survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn when he told his story nearly 70-years later. A six-year veteran in the Seventh Cavalry, Windolph rode in the 1873 Yellowstone Expedition, and the 1874 Black Hills Expedition. He fought in Captain Benteen's troops on the fatal Sunday, and vividly recalls the battle that wiped out Custer's command. The first part of the book is Windolphs story of the part he took in the battles that occurred June 26, 1876 in the valley of the Little Big Horn. He was not with Custer during the battle, however he did participate in the Yellowstone Expedition as part of Renos' column.
The second half of the book covers more contemporary details of the fighting as well as the investigations that followed. If you are looking for a good account from the Native American side I would recommend reading the book "Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer" which is the story of a Cheyenne Indian who fought in the same battles.

[Wayne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the many books I've read about the Custer debacle, this is the first one to present all the contemporary reports (in Part 2) and several later ones. They can only lead to the conclusion that Lieutenant Colonel Custer's ego and ambition led to the needless massacre. Had he not led forced marches in order to be the first to arrive at the scene (contrary to orders) and gobble up all the glory for himself, and then split his command, he would have arrived a day or two later and been supported by Gibbon and Terry. The hostiles would probably have withdrawn.

[Jeffrey May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Fought With Custer: The Story of Sergeant Windolph, Last Survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn As told to Frazier and Robert Hunt

Fascinating first-hand account transcribed from Seventh Calvary’s Sergeant Charles A. Windolph, a six-year veteran of the Seventh Cavalry. Published in 1947, this book provides a multi-layered history lesson. The somewhat misleading and lengthy title tells you that it’s the story of the last survivor. But there were no survivors of Custer’s Last Stand. The Seventh Cavalry was split into three “groups,” Major Reno, Colonel Benteen, and General Custer, all of which were to attack the Indian camp and kill as many as they could. Windolph was with Benteen, and then Reno, where the fighting was no less harrowing, especially in its relation to Custer’s demise. The “last survivor” refers to Winthrop in 1947 as the last person remaining who was alive and involved in the “last stand” of 1876.

The first half is mostly Windolph’s direct account nearly seventy years after Little Big Horn, while the second half details accounts by others, as edited by the Hunts. While they tried to be unbiased, telling of the broken treaties and the atrocities committed by both soldier and Indian, the 1947 viewpoint also tells us something about the culture at the time it was published. Necessarily, I suppose, the book is white-man centric; it is the tale of the Seventh Calvary and the aftermath, the political finger-pointing, and second-guessing. Historians inevitably reveal their own moment in history when writing about the past.

As a 2023 reader, it seemed that the “Battle” of Washita and the Sand Creek massacre were glossed over, the Hunts remarking that the Indians “never forgave Custer for the whirling attack on their sleeping village in the dead of winter.” The brutal reprisals by the Cheyenne and Sioux are described in detail as are the mutilations of Custer’s men (but curiously not Custer himself). The Hunts suggest the Indians were “upset.” Custer and others slaughtered women and children.

The Indian Wars were full of contradictions, depravity, and more, from all sides. This first-hand account tells about the Seventh’s heroism and some curious decisions. And within the context of its time, makes an honest attempt at acknowledging of the bravery of the Indians. It is well worth reading.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books written about this subject.the first half of the book deals with memories of Charles Randolph,the second half of the book covers the possibilities of whose fault it was.a bit like politics today when something bad happens find somebody else to blame.told without any flourish,just a straight forward telling by so wo w who was their.

[Gary Boland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting anecdotes (especially around Tom Custer) but overall this is a somewhat confused narrative (perhaps deliberately) about the famous battle (the last native american victory of any note).

[Garth Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book. They did their best to piece together why the debacle occurred, stayed away from a lot of speculation, and tried to just be factual. I really liked that. Interesting how this all came down, I don't think I ever know what lead up to Custer's last stand.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book on one of the most infamous events in the history of the US military. The bravado of Custer clearly had a negative impact on the lives of a few hundred soldiers because Custer wanted to be a hero. His youth and inexperience were factors in this bravado.

The book is great history and very enlightening. There are lessons to be learned as well for leaders.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less than half of the men of the Seventh Cavalry died with Custer at the Little Bighorn. The majority of the regiment under Benteen and Reno were miles away by order of Custer.