Date of Award
Spring 4-19-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Dr. John Daley
Second Advisor
Dr. Kirstin Lawson
Third Advisor
Steven Cox
Abstract
In 1876 Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer led five companies of the 7th Cavalry to complete annihilation near the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. One of Custer’s subalterns, Lieutenant Edward Godfrey, wrote and spoke publicly praising his dead commander’s tactical decisions. Godfrey was the most influential participant of Custer’s last battle to shape the Little Bighorn narrative. Custer’s widow, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, and ironically Custer critic Captain Frederick Benteen swayed Godfrey to view Custer in a more positive light. I will argue that Elizabeth Custer and Frederick Benteen’s coercion was important but ultimately Godfrey arrived at his own conclusions. His published analysis was factual and sound.
Recommended Citation
Kiely, Raymond; Kiely, Raymond; and Kiely, Raymond, "EDWARD SETTLE GODFREY AND THE LITTLE BIGHORN" (2021). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 408.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/408
1880's Cheyenne drawing of an Army attack