Custer & Black Kettle: Battle of the Washita Part I. Lives of the Little Bighorn 

Another brilliant recounting! Not only have you pulled in so many sources from all sides--some obscure--but you've also managed to have the narrative flow naturally, smoothly, so that it's easy to "see" the events as they unfold. That's a significant talent in bringing history alive, and, while maintaining accuracy, making it compelling. Much Thanks!

Thanks for that. It was very kind of your friend to help out. I'm slowly getting through all your videos. You're very good.

This is by far the BEST Washita Video I ever saw. Great pleasure. Thank you very much! I´m most impressed.

Appreciate your thorough research.

Again, this is so excellent. Thank you so much!

An absolutely superb video! 👏👏👏

Excellent presentation!

I’m new to your channel Siobhan. I like your backstories as well as aftermath of the Little Bighorn Battle. Most podcasts deal directly with the battle. The events leading up and subsequent to that fateful event are quite interesting also.

I love your style and use of old photos and graphics. Please keep them coming.

Come on folks! Hit the "like" knob! :) Top quality research and ditto with story telling. Bravo!

Another rousing edition! Thanks Siobhan!

I have always loved this stuff since I was a young boy and I really appreciate the hard work you must put into these videos. You are very good at it and please keep them coming! You cover so much in so little time. Very special.

The time to watch this sped by. This was so interesting and as much as I thought I knew I learned more.

Love your videos. Head phones on and feels like stepping back in time.

I enjoy your videos. I like to understand the events that lead up too specific historical events that are frequently shown in venues like RU-vid but not what lead up to them. Great Job

I have enjoyed your series. Thanks for the great work.

Excellent job as a Recents subscriber I find your program very interesting. Looking forward to your next edition.

Great video of a very highly charged topic!

Love your channel I've been obsessed with this subject since I was about 8 been studying it ever since im glad you have put so much time and effort into it it shows and I'm greatful!!!

Fantastic research, really enjoying these presentations

Thank you for guiding me to your very detailed account of the Washita event and the live of Black Kettle. Tremendously sad story, which I had read about from other authors. You are a gifted story teller. Fast forward to today. It pains to see a southern border wall and concertina wire. In 150 years from "freedom" to present day. USA is on quite a journey and it is not all for the common good. With very best regards!

All this time has passed and it still sickening to hear of Mrs.Blinn and her little boy fate at the hand of the barbarian.

A MOST SEE VIDEO FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HISTORY! Mrs. Fallon once again you have captured crucial moments and details leading up to the battle of the little Big Horn. QUESTION??? "So,, were the guns given to the Cheynne (In the peace treaty truce) used against Custer? I heard in another video (not yours) that the Dakota were actually better armed against the 7th on the day of the battle. If so, how??? Again, you leave us wanting more!!!!

I live in Michigan... I've been to the Monroe county historical society museum.. they have a lot of belongings of custer's It's worth stopping by if you are in southern Michigan.

And, now...just like that...I feel like I have a working knowledge of the Washita engagement ---- and another 50+ minutes that seemed like only 15. Well done. Again. 🌹

Good job 👏

Pretty comprehensive account and as fairly told as anyone could with being inclusive of all the history that preceded the event. I don't envy Black Kettle for trying to be a statesmen for such a diverse group in which were obviously disagreements with whatever compromises would have to be made. That would have probably proven to be a "mission impossible" for whoever undertook it as early as 1867-68 while Buffalo were still plentiful and the inevitable was not yet made obvious to insolent rebellious youth. . I think it was easier for Parker only six years later when the Inevitable was more obvious to many if not most of the Quahadis Comanche. I don't think it would've been as possible for "Bad Hand" Mackenzie to pull of the ultimate coup of all the US Cavalry by stealing their horses en masse. That followed decimating pandemics of Small Pox, retaliatory raids by Texas Rangers, the failure of the surprise attack at the second battle of Adobe Walls and the destruction of their winter stores in the Blanco Canyon hit-n-run raid by Mackenzie's Raiders. But the theft of 1500 or more horses was the Comanche learned coup that demanded respect and probably made it easier for Mackenzie to influence any Comanche War Chief in charge after realizing the war was lost to them. I suppose "Big Red Meat" wasn't among those realizing until freezing to death in a US Cavalry Stockade ice locker . . . He had unwisely taken it out on settlers to the end. Parker was not even in contention as the most feared Comanche War Chief having arguably lost all battles that he was in charge of. He was just shrewd enough to counsel adapting to the inevitable .He must've had creds enough to be convincing at it or maybe it was just that obvious..

Some perspective is perhaps worth noting if not directly needed in relation to Sand Creek, the first is that Custer and Sheridan had nothing to do with it but Samuel Ryan Curtis may have inspired Sheridan's idea for a winter attack. Chivington, who was working under Ryan's orders, specifically when or when not to make peace, was tried not merely before congress but by Wynkoop, under whom at least two of Chivington's officers refused to attack and submitted even faulty reports of what they had allegedly seen there, including the supposed deaths of Black Kettle and George Bent. The Cheyenne fired first. Chivington was not personally present but witnessed the battle from afar.

Very interesting

Hi Siobhan, I'm new to your channel. It's great. I especially love your maps and how you explain them. I wonder if you can help me with this? Why are Native American horses always referred to as "ponies"? In England and Australia, an equine (to use a neutral term) is a pony if it is 14.2 hands or less and 14.3 and above is a 'horse. In most of the pictures of Native American's on animals are definitely taller than 14.2, so they should be called 'horses'. I'm also curious as to why an attack on a sleeping camp is called a "Battle"? It just doesn't seem like a battle. Kind regards.

Very fine presentation. There was a trooper with GAC at Washita that took as a trophy a very fine Axe Pipe, I do not have his name at present but I can get into my library and attain it, that he claimed as Black Kettles own. He brought this trophy back to his home while on leave or after he left the 7th and his family said he was very distraught at what he saw at the battle and became very depressed and killed himself. I still have a picture of that Axe Pipe and it was very nice indeed. I often wonder what this poor trooper saw.......

Good video thanks.

Custard was 15,000 miles away he must've been on his way to the moon

You did a wonderful job here, but one of the overarching factors in this whole sad affair is the rivalry and outright hatred some officers had for other officers. Plus, the goals of the army were often suborned to the whims of congress as well as a top command whose mindset was still fighting the civil war. I could go on but there is no need as you have this in hand. Take a bow.

I could probably listen to you read a phone book and be entertained

Mrs Fallon, what is your opinion of General Custer, and was he responsible for the defeat at LBH ?

Great job with the Washita. I wonder why none of the Native American accounts Mention the beautiful calls and the sound of the band. These were mentioned by several accounts of this battle by the soldiers. Those who were involved that is. If you've ever tried to play a band instrumental in sub-freezing weather, you know But it's like looking at flagpole in the dead of winner. Couldn't be there was no band? And what does that say about Those accounts?

Have always been interested in Custer. Have come to think he was more good then bad. Thanks for video like this. Well done.

The Cheyenne war parties truly had no idea that the atrocities they committed against civilians would be bring the wrath of the powerful US Army down upon them. General Sheridan was the primary figure in these campaigns and his contempt toward the Native American was quite possibly unsurpassed. Lt. Col. Custer was both his trusted friend and subordinate; and it's almost a guarantee that Sheridan told him simply "Go deal with it and make your own calls." It was certainly no peacekeeping mission. Due to this, I am puzzled as to why Sheridan condemned the actions of Custer, following the disaster at the Little Bighorn?

I like the Pawnees. They get a bad rap but they were no worse than others

Almost 1869, so only a few months before the Dog Soldiers got trounced at Summit Springs. Ps. I was under the impression that Comstock and Grover were leaving Turkey Leg's camp when they were supposedly set upon.

Chivington lost 25 kia and 51 wounded, it was not an easy fight. He attacked because the Indians had left the reservation to raid. Over a 100 settlers were killed.

Battle ?

15000 miles?

Did she say 15,000 miles ???

🇺🇸👍

Was "Washita" yet another Custer-massacre or was it a fair battle?

More like 1500 miles away

The prevailing thought I have is: Why didn't North American "natives" invent the steam engine. Or telegraph. Or the wheel? Because they were destined for relegation to the past. Stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum. Outside influences happen. Just like the Chinese influence on the biden "admin"😂.

Not a battle but a massacre. attack of a non hostile village. If Custer loses men ( Elliot detachment) is only by his fault.. I think it's not because the us have casualties that mean it was a battle and not a massacre. Same thing with Woonded knee.

This was NOT a battle! Custer attacked a village of Cheyenne who were peaceful. Most Indians killed were women and children. Ha abandoned part of his command who were wiped out. Why do people admire this mam?