“Custer’s Fall” by David Humphreys Miller – Review by LBW (Part 1)

“Custer’s Fall” by David Humphreys Miller

COUNTING COUP Book Review by LBW (Part 1)

A must read for all history enthusiasts and recommended reading – is the historically
accurate book by David Humphreys Miller “Custer’s Fall”, the Native American side
of the Story.

Researched from 1935 – 1955 painstakingly by Miller, it is a priceless piece of litera-
ture anyone not afraid of the truth will value; published in 1957 with Miller’s wonderful
ability in capturing the Tetewan and Cheyenne’s true character as they faced the loss
of their ancient way of life and freedom.

Sandy Donovan, heir to the Miller Legacy has done an amazing job in protecting
Miller’s collection of Native Artifacts and portraits of the Native people he interviewed
for this book. These were the survivors and descendents of the Battle of the Little
Big Horn that were still alive. In doing so their account would not be lost in the myth
and legend created by military and biased media, as well as the public opinion of the
day when the 7th Cavalry and Long Hair, Custer’s armed assault and glory seeking failed.

Little known facts about the individuals who lived and died there jump from the pages
riveting the reader where you can’t put the book down.

Facts so compelling and refreshing after all the myth and legend created to explain
the truth away about why what happened, happened, and the way it did.

The repercussions afterward to the Native Americans tear at one’s heart when learning
they were not amassed to fight, but only to feed their families, celebrate after their
Sun Dance Ceremony and visit with relatives and loved ones forced under U.S. Govern-
ment rule after living free and practicing their age old ancient customs.

The Native Americans had all agreed on peace and even when under heavy fire as the
battle began tried to negotiate with the military and Long Hair about a peaceful journey
back to their assigned agencies.

It was not to be, too much was riding on Long Hair’s assault on the Indians for his
Western expansion, and his unwillingness to “listen” to the Native leaders and their
body guards led to Custer’s own demise on the fork of the Little Big Horn River, taking
everyone under his command with him.

Enjoying every page knowing this masterpiece of literature tells the real story, the truth
and facts hidden from history for all the wrong reasons.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dupree, Looking Back Woman, matriarchal descendant of Mary
Good Elk Woman, who was the sister of Sitting Bull, wife of Henry Makes Room Senior,
later the wife of Frederick Dupuis. Please note Frederick Dupuis and his son with
Mary Good Elk Woman, as well as her son with Henry Makes Room Sr., Henry Makes
Room Jr. (whom Fred adopted) saved pte/the last buffalo from extinction for the legacy
of White Buffalo Calf Pipe Woman to be fulfilled.

Referenced my Dupuis/Dupris/Dupree family geneology www.lookingbackwoman.ca
Information given Calvin Dupree by Wilbur Riegert, curator for the Wounded Knee
Museum at the time prior to the Wounded Knee 2 occupation by the urban militant domes-
tic terrorist group, the American Indian Movement/ working under the directive and protec-
tion of James Abourezk and the U.S. Government.

Reigert was the former allotment agent at Cheyenne River Agency earlier in his life,
and he knew all the Tetewan families and their history. Reigert shared the Dupuis leg-
acy with my father, Professor Calvin Dupree so it would be preserved for the descendents
of these great honourable people.