It has been said that more books have been written about the Battle of the Little Bighorn than any other battle in our nation's history. But in-spite of the volumes written, the battle remains shrouded in mystery and misconceptions. The herofication of Colonel Custer has clouded understanding of a debacle that was clearly understood by the people of the time. Following is a partial transcription of an editorial that was printed in the "Chicago Tribune" on July 7th, 1876, just 13 days after the battle:
"Custer ... was a brave, brilliant soldier, handsome and dashing, but he was reckless, hasty and impulsive, preferring to make a dare-devil rush and take risks rather than to move slower and with more certainty, and it was his own mad-cap haste, rashness and love of fame that cost the service the loss of many brave officers and gallant men. No account seems to have been taken of the numbers or leadership of the Sioux,... no account was taken of the fact that General Gibbon was coming to the Little Big Horn with re-enforcements, only a day's march behind, although General [sic] Custer was aware of it. He preferred to make a reckless dash and take the consequences, in the hope of making a personal victory and adding to the glory of another charge, rather than wait for the sufficiently-powerful force to make the fight successful and share the glory with others. He took the risk, and he lost." 33).
Popular culture continues to wrap Colonel Custer and the fallen men of the Seventh Calvary in glory. Yet the fallen men of the Lakota and Cheyenne that fought to protect their women, children and old ones from an alien invader are seldom remembered. Following is a list of names of the 31 patriots of the Lakota and Cheyenne People that fell in battle at the place called "The Greasy Grass." This list of Native casualties was taken from "Hokahey! A Good Day To Die," an outstanding resource by Richard Hardorff. No student of the Battle of the Greasy Grass, should overlook this gem.
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Wicohan Deeds (14 year old boy, killed while trying to warn the village)
Mahpiya Wicasa Cloud Man
Mato Hehaka Elk Bear
Canku Hanska Long Road (ITAZIPCO BAND)
Sunka Wanjila Lone Dog
Hehaka Wankata Najin Elk Stands Above
Ktepila Kills Him
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Pehin Zi Sica Bad light Hair
Wasicun Sapa Black White Man
Hala Ota Many Lice ( OGLALA BAND)
Wanbli Ska White Eagle
Maka Cincala Young Skunk
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Miyapahe Breech Cloth
Sunka Heton Dog with Horns
Sunka Cankohan Dog's Backbone (MINNECONJOU BAND)
Mato Yamni Three Bears
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Hinhan Okuwa Chased by Owls (OOHENUPA BAND)
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Mato Heton Bear with Horns
Tasupe Guts
Canska Wicasa Hawk Man
Ite Luta Red Face (HUNKPAPA BAND)
Mato Ohanko Swift Bear
Tatanka Ska White Buffalo
Hanwi Sapa Cincala Young Black Moon
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*Catka Left Hand Noisy Walking
*Sunksa Yuha Has Sorrel Horse Open Belly (Cut Belly)
*Mato Cincala Young Bear Black Bear
*Putinhin Sina Full Beard Lame White Man (CHEYENNE TRIBE)
*Kinyan Hiyaye Flying By Limber Bones
*Sunkmanitu Sapa Black Coyote Roman Nose
*Maypiya Ohanko Swift Cloud Whirlwind
* Cheyenne warriors, Their Lakota names are listed in bold type in the left-hand column. The English translation of their Cheyenne names are listed on the far right. When compiling lists of the Indian casualties' at this battle, many make the mistake of not taking into account that Native custom often resulted in people being known by more than one name. The 14 year old boy Deeds for example, was known by a number of names. A careful winnowing out of duplicitous names as was conducted by Richard Hardorff has resulted in this list of native deaths at the battle of the Greasy Grass which is about half the number often quoted by historians.
Six Lakota women and four infants were also killed in Custer's assault upon their village. I regret not having access to their names. After killing the fourteen year old boy, Wicohan, these un-named women and infants were the next victims of Custer's uncoordinated attack. Before any warriors were confronted and engaged by the Seventh Calvary and their scouts, 11 defenseless women and children were killed. There are many still that defend Colonel Custer's actions at the Greasy Grass. They seldom mention this crucial part of the story. We should remember.