The Battle Of Little Big Horn Analysis

Before the 1950’s, the Battle of Little Big Horn was perceived in two entirely different ways. One way was through the eyes of white Americans who, as Linenthal brought to attention in his piece, turned the site into a sacred place and deemed the battle to be an important event that shaped the nation (268). In fact, Linenthal states how in a speech given by Colonel Henry Hall, Custer was “’no more gallant soldier, nor more stainless knight, ever drew sword than…George Armstrong Custer’” (270). The majority of white Americans before the 1950’s idolized the work and sacrifice of General George Armstrong Custer and the Seventh Cavalry that fought at Little Big Horn. Edward Linenthal explains in his journal how after the battle, the American people

In the eyes of the patriotic citizens, this was a great achievement in need of commemorative celebrations. According to Linenthal, “commemorative celebrations began shortly after the battle” (270). Linenthal shared how these celebrations consisted of thousands of people going to the battlefield, the playing of Custer’s battle song “Garry Owen,” reenacting the battle, and speeches by both Indians and military personnel (270). The celebrations mainly appealed to white citizens that believed Custer was fighting for the good of the nation. As Linenthal stated, a monument was built at the battlefield, and the site was named the Custer Battlefield National Monument as a way to display “public faith” to the accomplishments of General Custer (267). The celebrations to remember the members of the military in the Battle of Little Bighorn demonstrated the respect Americans had for dedication the military had for fighting for westward expansion while ignoring the ways in which the battle affected Native

In Robert Utley’s article, he describes how remembering the battle for Native Americans is often accompanied by negative emotions (72). Although this battle was a victory for the Native Americans, it was one of many battles fueled by discrimination and racism that inevitably resulted in their homeland being stolen from them. By naming the battlefield and monument after Custer, it represented a celebration of oppression and racism among white Americans. Utley made a point in his article that “the Battle of Little Bighorn involved two sets of antagonists…, but the monumentation commemorates only one, the losers” (72). It is peculiar how even though the Native Americans won the battle, the Americans soldiers were the only ones honored and labeled as heroes to the American government and people. Utley later concluded that “most battlefields are not named for a person, much less the defeated leader” and how “Custer’s name attached to the place and monumentation there are deeply offensive to many people” (72). This represents how the Native Americans were viewed as being savages whose accomplishments were forgotten by the largely racist population of white Americans. Utley described the disregard for Native Americans during commemorative events where Native Americans were present, but did not have a voice to share their opinions and celebrate in their victory at the battle of Little