I
He led the 7th Cavalry across the native’s plains;
following Sheridan’s orders to take their last domains.
Hoping to restore his place as America’s golden child,
politically ambitious in a land so young and wild.
He needed a victory deep in those Montana bluffs
lusting for the battle he would engage in soon enough.
A few skirmishes was all the 7th had yet to muster
with Yellowhair in charge, the General, George A. Custer.
It was on that fateful day in 1876,
the General thought he would teach old Sitting Bull some tricks.
They started out at noon as the band played “Garry Owen”
“Let’s be brave, soldiers!! I need no cowards where we’re going!”
He split up his forces as he quickly planned the attack
then he said to Reno “Don’t worry, I’ll watch your back!”
Some troopers left with Reno, while others followed Benteen;
two hundred men under Custer were never again seen.
Reno advanced quickly, catching the Sioux by surprise,
but he was unprepared for the sight before his eyes.
For the Sioux numbered ten thousand, perhaps a little more.
No man had ever seen a native camp as large before.
Reno became uncertain of which action he should take.
He charged hard, then fell back as his left flank began to break.
The fighting became intense as guns fired and arrows flew,
but the Bluecoats where outnumbered..."RETREAT!!" the bugler blew!
II
“Hoka Hey Lakota!! It’s a good day to fight or die!!”
These simple words of prophecy became his battle cry.
“Strongest hearts to the front, weaker hearts fall to the back”
He bravely led his men to counter Reno’s attack.
The soldiers soon retreated, praying for Custer’s relief,
but gazing down the hill they all shuddered in disbelief.
For the Sioux and Cheyenne had became a tremendous force
led by Tashunka Witco, also known as Crazy Horse.
With Reno left in shambles, retreating hard back uphill
Crazy Horse discovered a more important man to kill.
He turned toward the north, war lance waving in the air
as coming up the valley, was that devil, Yellowhair!
Respected by all Lakota, Custer was widely known
but soon he would pay for the lack of respect he had shown.
Bound to defend their people and uphold their hunting grounds
the Lakota swarmed Custer like a pack of rabid hounds.
His battalion was cut down, no man was left alive.
Captain Keough’s horse Comanche, the only to survive.
Aided at last by Benteen, Reno made a gallant stand
holding off the warriors under Crazy Horse’s command.
The battle raged fiercely until late the following day
while under the Montana sun the lifeless Custer lay.
The Civil War hero and fearless leader of the White
had met his match in Crazy Horse and fought his last fight.
III
Fifteen moons after the infamous battle had been fought,
Crazy Horse surrendered; to Fort Robinson he was brought.
Killed from behind while being escorted towards the jail
the death of this warrior foretold the end of the Sioux trail.
The Little Bighorn is now cited as Custer’s Last Stand
but it should not be recalled as anything quite so grand.
Always remember the injustices done unto the Sioux
for they suffered dearly once the wars were finally through.
Author notes
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, is known by the Sioux as the Battle of the Greasy Grass.
In a list
- Native American • next in list
- My Favorites--These are poem from some poets here at AllPoetry that I really liked. All poems are listed with author's permisssion • next in list
A contest entry
- The Best of All Your Rhymes by One Angry Monkey.
600 points, ended February 11, 16 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
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My gosh...this was incredibly done. I'm gasping in a state of awe. You penned this very well. I clicked on your name at random and have not been disappointed. So intense (and the rime makes sense). What an interesting subject to write about. This was some really sad recollections for me. I wrote once, about "Wounded Knee"...but not even close to your stuff. Bravo...well done.
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Supurb
Thir ranks right up there with "Listen, my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. You bring history alive.
Well done! Good luck with the contest.
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Awesome Job
I think that the Battle of the Greasy Grass is one of the more controvsersial battles of the Indian Wars. Most agree on the facst, and disagree on the interpretaton. The version that you have told is one of many.
The facts are well presented. It shows a good grasp of the subject material. It is a long epic poem. The rhyming is consistent and the meter is great. If a poem this good only took HM you must have been up against some very serious competition.
. Rewarded 8
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This is a great poem.
You are a great poet.
What was your inspiration for writing this poem -
One of the better poems I've read on this site. Will watch out for you.
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I argue the facts of historically correct here it simply is not... simply country reads his facts and I read mine you chose which books and historians you read and believe I guess..though I love your writings and respect you very very much I do not like this one. Yes he was a yellow hair and a very bad man but he was killed early in this fight several of his men were taken back and tortured... this is from the chiefs themselves at the end of these battles they were recorded . Have you ever read these records? You are using the white washed version of history here in my opinion and goodness knows I always have one... They also said these other men chose not to help him.
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Hi Rheea,
I respect your opinions, and appreciate your comments.
I'm uncertain as to which details we may differ on in perspective and which parts of the piece you feel are inaccurate.
I have read many accounts of this battle, including several from the Native participants, including White Cow Bull, He Dog, Short Bull, Bobtail Horse and dozens more.
The topic is too broad to cover every aspect in one small poem and I didn't and couldn't.
I'm not sure which parts you feel are inaccurate so I can't debate them with you, although I'd love to discuss the battle with anyone who has knowledge on it. I'm certainly not an expert, though I do consider myself having more than just a casual interest in it.
There are three issues in this piece that I, myself struggle with, but haven't returned to rewrite it (keep in mind I wrote this 7 years ago and occasionally return to it to edit. It may never be finished completely lol)
Firstly, I doubt anyone on the Native side really recognized Custer for who he was until after the battle. His hair was cut short at the time.
Secondly, it may seem to some who read this that Crazy Horse killed Custer, which, while possible, is unlikely. When I wrote it, I did not intend for the reader to think this, rather, to show how Crazy Horse led the Ogallala. The poem is meant to contrast Custer and Crazy Horse and admittedly takes on a more Native flavor than white.
Thirdly, and related somewhat to your comment, Reno and Benteen appear to be more heroic than perhaps they are entitled. There are many theories on why Benteen was late arriving, and many accounts of Reno acting confused and cowardly. While they are part of the greater picture of what really happened at the battle, the poem is written around Custer and Crazy Horse. On this note, Benteen did fight very brave on Reno Hill and helped the remaining soldiers form a reasonably defensible breastwork that kept alive the men who had retreated to the hill.
On the topic of Native torture, that is largely due to the differences in culture. It is difficult to measure the barbarity of such actions out of context. Clearly their actions today in our society would be deemed brutal. But would not the white political and social actions of the day be considered equally harsh today?
This is without question the longest response to any comment I've ever received lol, and I cherish the opportunity to discuss this with you. I appreciate your comments, and as you can tell, this is a topic I find very interesting.
Thanks again,
Rory
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Really a great write.
You do a fantastic job of telling a story in rhyme. It gripped me from the start and held me til the end. Great write.
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Nicely written detail in great poetry. Love the idea of learning histories and sharing thoughts through poetry,and this style works well for your poem. Well done!
Niaish, "Ma'eno from all your children" - has left some love on your page.
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Thanks for entering such a strong poem. The meter is good through most of it and the story (not one that i know) was well told. Thanks for the read.
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Historically Correct
even to the part of captain Keough's horse surviving. Not many are aware o such a fact.
Yes Custer's greatest enemy was himself and his oolish pride. It is hard to imagine where he would have went, had he lived. what is ironic, is in his West Point class, he ranked near the bottom.
After the smoke died and the battle was over, when all was said and one, the Indians were the ones who ultimately paid the most. For afterwards, their days were numbered, and dwindling.
Well Written as Always. Thank You for sharing.
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This is a good poem ...
and you've done a fairly good job with the historical angle. Here:
but the Bluecoats where outnumbered..."RETREAT!!" the bugler blew!
(but the Bluecoats were outnumbered)
and here:
“Hoka Hey Lakota!! It’s a good day to fight or die!!”
These simple words of prophecy became his battle cry.
are your major problems. In the lines above, you've not indicated who is speaking, but the previous stanza refers to Reno, not to Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse, so it is unclear as to who is screaming out those words.
However, all in all, you've done a credible job here.
Thanks for entering and Merry Xmas.
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Excellent!
I'm not too big on history...normally it bores me to tears. But this poem caught my interest and held it firmly in its grip! You made history come alive, which is no small task! Wonderful rhyming and just an all around great work.
Thank you for your entry!
~Phoenix
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Ah, Custer. Excellent write. Thanks for your entry.
By the way, my brother, Diddashn, is sick, so I am now your judge. He just asked me to judge this contest, and I hope to get it done today. Thanks for your entry and patience. -
BRAVO!!!!! I loved this, it had perfect rhyming and flow which made it easy and almost fun to read, it was a little sad but besides that it was a great poem, thank you indeed for entering and good luck
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Wow!
I'm in awe. My brain doesn't think in sentences much over 11 words let alone on such a grand scheme as this! Wow! This is really awesome! Your kids/grand kids will be left a grand legacy with your writings. So great that you take the time to do all the research and create these comprehensive ballads.
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Have you ever seen the movie, "The mouse that roared?" It is about the way Americans go out of the way to help defeated enemies get on their feet. It goes quite another way, if the yanks loose...
Appreciate the time spent on this. Re work the Benteen part; don't try to rhyme the names. That is the only place I was distracted by the rhyme jamming up. -
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I haven't seen that movie. It sounds interesting though.
Thanks for your comments on Crazy Horse, I'll revisit it and look into tightening up the rhyme.
Rory
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I'm sure all indians suffered greatly... I can only imagine the horrors....
I'm ever more impressed with you... this must have been so hard to write... it's actually got a good reading flow to it... and you pulled off the rhyming perfectly...
An excellent historical write...
~Melissa
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What a wonderful write
This is excellent, It speaks such truth and emotion of that time. This is wonderful. It was like almost being their my self just by reading your poem. YOu have painted your words well.
TAbitha
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Most Excellent Write
This was powerful!! TRuth in every word. Historical accuracy and details; shows the Native American Side very well, and is exciting as any tale ever written. I tip my farmer's /poet hat to you my dear friend. Happy trails until the end! Walt.
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Very Good.
You reflect my own interest....poetry and history. This piece is well done and is consistent with historical fact, and fact is not the Hollywood version. This was an ambitious undertaking, but you have done both the poetry and the history justice.
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Very good.
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wowowow
This was a very interesting and drawing read, for it drew me in from the beginning. I didn't even realize how long it was because of how well my interest was held throughout. I actually became more informed of this historical time in our history from this, so I thank you in that regard. A nicely written piece.
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And still do!!! Love this, the rhyme and rhythm help to create a wonderful imagery for this very desrving poem...mal
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Excellant
Ay, and so they did. Well done. -
Hi, read your author notes so ok,lol, great, when this is tightened up on the meter it is going to be a knockout, you know when people say rhyme is dead and rubbish ,it is because they could not do it in a month of Sundays, far harder than free verse, to keep it smooth, make sense , and tell the story,loved it, you have my applause, hugs Di
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This is pretty good, despite some rhyme and rhythm problems. You narrate this pretty well, also. Not bad! - oce
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thanks Dustookie, I appreciate your comments. I will continue editing until I've got it lol...thanks again,
Rory -
actually, from most accounts I've read, Custer had cut his hair short on that fateful trip and wasn't recognizable among his troops. However, the Cheyenne and then Crazy Horse's Ogallala did attack them and swarm Last Stand Hill where Custer was overtaken. I appreciate your comments, and I may revisit the rabid hounds bit.
Thanks again,
Rory -
and a great band they and Neil Young formed!! lol I'm glad you enjoyed the historical Crazy Horse as well. Thanks for commenting.
Rory -
Hi Di, actually I have read Lepanto before, many years ago...all I can recall of it tho is something along the lines of "Don Juan of Austria is going off to war" (I think that's how it went)...I might have to look it up and reread it, I do remember it being a very good war story. Thanks for your comments on this, I have tightened it up some from the original draft, but I'm still working on it. Thanks again,
Rory -
very nicely penned
yes it is one great piece of work and yes it needs to be redrafted in places, i find reading aloud just to myself a few times you get a feel for it and can start to feel when your saying the words where it goes off. Then do the redraft and read it to family or friends get their feel for it too...i really do like it and the ending very nicely penned. love to see the final version it is going to be one awesome piece not being an american i am not fully up on your history so i have leant something today ..thank you. good luck it will happen usually when you least expect it ....this is a rather brilliant. -
I can't say much about the technical side of the poem, others probably have more to contribute in that regard. But this is a topic I'm interested in, having read the book 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.' I've seen the pictograph (?) drawing of the Little Big Horn battle, created by one of the indigenous fighters there. It's on display at the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles. What I wasn't sure of is whether 'Yellow Hair' was actually targeted by the Sioux and the other tribes during the battle. Perhaps he was. But your line 'The Lakota warriors swarmed Custer like a pack of rabid hounds' sounded a bit too animalistic to me.
Otherwise, a very interesting poem.
Edited on Apr 23, 11:48 p.m. because ''. -
I certainly admit i read this poem because Neil Young sprang to mind on viewing the title! However the poem itself is excellent purely in the way that an accurate retelling of a famous story (or not so famous to me) has been so nicely integrated into a poem. As I was hardly aware of this part of history, my mind was immediately engaged as soon as I started reading. The rhyme scheme does also lend itself quite nicely to this narrative and such a long poem does not appear to trip up on itself and bore the reader. Great poem and I'm slightly ashamed that all Crazy Horse ever meant to me was a band that worked with Neil Young!
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Your account of history was really nicely used in this poem, I agree a bit of reworking is needed but you certainly did your research! Very impressive!
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Hi, when you have tightened the meter this will be great, not easy to write a narrative of this scale, I love narrative so this drew me in, have you ever read Lapanto by G,K,Chesterton I think you would like it, interesting how he did the meter,it is not a fixed meter, loved this you have my applause , all the best, hugs Di
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I'm going to come back and read this later. I am very interested. I just can't take the time for the concentration it's going to take right now. I'll be back.
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this is a wonderful piece of work !!
i find it engaging and a very interesting read indeed
good job !!!!
ps : and like you i too can take critism be it positive or negative, but i daresay i may not always agree with the negative,
blessings to you and yours
jamila yadira
Edited on Apr 20, 9:08 p.m. because 'just because'. -
Well as you are asking, I will offer what I can. You already know about the meter and rhyme, so I don't need to dwell on that. Some of your lines are rather long, which is part and parcel to the meter issues but really a bit different. I totally agree with your conclusion and think you told the story rather well. You have a few minor flaws in the facts, but i chalk that up to poetic license. One must read these things and keep in mind the historical context of what happened. I'm not saying that Custer was right in what he did, but neither was he a demon. All in all, I think you did a good job with such a long poem and for that I applaud the effort!
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thanks for your comments. I will surely take some time to read through your history pages, as I thoroughly enjoyed the one poem of yours that I already read.
Rory -
You took my piece many steps further and delved into the actual history of the events in much greater detail. All in all this piece is superb. The storyline and rhyme scheme compliment each other nicely. Well done.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
ps. Thanks for reading and commenting on my work. I do appreciate it greatly. I have written a few historical pieces and have them listed under 'history' on my author's page if you are interested in such things. -
Thanks to all for your wonderful comments. I will return to this poem at some time to try to tighten it up and make it more readable.
Rory -
Bravo!
OH hey I like this. You kept me reading on to find out what happened next, lol. Of course I knew the outcome already, but I like your way with words; you're obviously up on your history and I also agree with the point about the injustice that's been done to the Native Americans. Good read... -
incredible
Merry meet,
WOW! this is incredible. I'm not sure of what I could really add that hasn't been said before. You wrote from a historian's perspective very well. You presented the facts and the emotions of both sides while keeping your own emotion in check, very hard to do. I'm going to add it to my author's page.
Amythest -
Worthy of continuing to work on
I would read it aloud to someone you trust, and you will catch the choppy places. I am a fan of you already, being a horse therapist by trade, I am an Indian fan too, as they respect and treat their horses much better than the white men in general. I found your historical accounting pretty accurate, being a big civil war fan as well, and I think if you "tighten it down " as you say - you will have a real work of art here. One, I might add, that you should send to the schools- about time those boys and girls learn how it really was- and not some gussied up version that some school board decided to tell!!!
Keep writing for sure. THanks for the read. -
A well researched piece and you have captured some of the excitement but it is blurred by the choppy meter. This poem is too good to trash, but it is good enough to rework. The meter count is off and inconsistent and makes for a hard read. It will take some doing but this piece deserves the attention
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they should of had CNN at the stand for the conditions of yellow hair and placement of the corpse is so fitting and there should be more in the books. keep writing
love the papa -
An amazing poem, true
I realized when I got to the last line of this wonderful poem that I had been holding my breath throughout. At the stunning end, I finally exhaled. You have captured me as a fan, poet person. I would buy and read a whole book of this inspiring poetry.
You write it so expertly and obviously know the details well. I have never been sad about the outcome of this battle, but only so glad that the Sioux had a small taste of victory over the white man.
I am adding you to my favs. 
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This piece reminds me alot of older poetry. The length is fine with me as I am not a fan of aborted ideas and condensed or 2%, or skim poem. I did not try to judge rhyme or meter only the ability of the story to keep my attention. With me that is accomplished and I believe that if you go back and read the piece outloud as if at a reading you will know where to tighten up and where to leave as stands. When it reads smooth, you'll be good to go. Keep up the good story telling. Thanks for sharing. RC
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