Transcriber's Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
THE LAST OF CUSTER
Drawing by E. L. Blumenschein
Indian Fights and Fighters
THE SOLDIER AND THE SIOUX
PREFACE
The writing of history requires three operations:(I) The collection of facts; (II) The classificationand arrangement of facts; (III) Thepresentation and discussion of facts. I havecollected the facts related in this book from every sourceopen to me. These sources may be divided into twogroups: (1) Published and (2) unpublished, matter.The published matter includes (a) official records;(b) books, and (c) magazine or other ephemeral articles.The unpublished matter includes (a) letters and (b)verbal communications.
I have made use of all these sources of information ingathering the facts. A list of some of the printed authoritiesconsulted follows this preface. In additionthereto, I beg to acknowledge written communicationsfrom the following American Army officers, all now onthe retired list except Colonels Godfrey and Brainardand Captain Livermore:—Lieutenant-General Nelson A.Miles; Major-General Robert P. Hughes; Brigadier-GeneralsHenry B. Carrington, George A. Forsyth,Louis H. Carpenter, Anson Mills, Charles A. Woodruffand Theo. F. Rodenbough; Colonel Edward E. S. Godfrey,commanding the Ninth Cavalry; Colonel DavidL. Brainard, Commissary of Subsistence;