A letter written just days after the Battle of Little Big Horn has surfaced, offering a rare and harrowing account of the clash that shocked the nation. Penned on July 4th, 1876, by Lieutenant Charles Albert Varnum, the correspondence provides a vivid, first-hand look at the chaos that unfolded on the battlefield. As one of the few surviving officers of the Seventh Cavalry, Varnum’s words capture the valor, the terror, and the devastating loss of over 300 soldiers, including General George Armstrong Custer.
Varnum, who served as chief of scouts, was in a pivotal position during the battle. Overseeing 36 scouts, he was Custer’s right-hand man for intelligence and reconnaissance. His proximity to the unfolding disaster makes his testimony both a crucial military record and a deeply personal reflection on a battle that reshaped American history. His letter is filled with both pride and regret as he recalls the bravery of his comrades and the consequences of Custer’s decisions.
The stage for the disaster was set years earlier. By 1876, tensions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes had reached a boiling point. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills, land guaranteed to the Sioux under the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, fueled the conflict. The U.S. Army launched a major campaign to force the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho back onto reservations. Custer, known for his daring tactics and fierce ambition, was chosen to lead the Seventh Cavalry into battle.
The letter details how Custer’s determination was fierce, but his strategy was flawed. On June 22nd, 1876, Custer led his regiment into hostile territory. Varnum’s squad of scouts, including Crow and Ree warriors, tracked the movements of the indigenous forces. These scouts, deeply familiar with the land, repeatedly warned Custer of the immense native force ahead. They urged caution, but Custer, overconfident and eager for victory, pressed on.
After riding for over 36 hours, Varnum and his scouts reached a high bluff overlooking the Little Big Horn Valley at dawn. Below them was a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying: smoke rising from an enormous Native American village. Despite the warnings, Custer underestimated the numbers and strength of his enemy. The scouts had seen signs of a massive force of 2,000 or more warriors, but Custer pushed forward. This decision, as Varnum painfully recounts, would seal the fate of the Seventh Cavalry.
On June 25th, 1876, Custer’s forces launched their assault. Major Reno led three companies into battle but was quickly overwhelmed. Varnum, watching from a distance, describes the chaos as Reno’s troops charged into the heart of the Native camp, only to be met by a fierce counterattack. Outnumbered and surrounded, they were forced to retreat to a bluff, losing many men in the process. The letter spares no detail, recalling how Reno’s companies were decimated by the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors.
While Reno’s men regrouped on the bluffs, Custer and his five companies pressed on, unaware of the magnitude of the force they faced. Varnum and the surviving officers could hear the gunfire from Custer’s location but were powerless to help. In his letter, Varnum reveals the heart-wrenching truth: Custer and his men were overwhelmed. By the time Varnum and his comrades regrouped, it was too late.
The aftermath was nothing short of devastating. When General Terry’s forces arrived, they discovered the full extent of the carnage. Custer and over 300 men had been killed, their bodies stripped and mutilated on the battlefield. Among the dead were 16 officers, including General Custer, Captain Keogh, and Lieutenant Cook.
While Varnum’s letter centers on the U.S. Army’s perspective, the victory belonged to the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. These native forces, fighting for their land, their families, and their way of life, had faced overwhelming odds and emerged victorious. The Battle of Little Big Horn was not just a military encounter; it was a clash of cultures and a powerful statement of sovereignty. The letter underscores the tactical genius of leaders like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, who outmaneuvered Custer and defended their sacred lands.
Varnum’s letter concludes with a somber reflection on the personal toll of the battle. He recounts how Mrs. Custer lost not only her husband but also her brothers, and how Mrs. Calhoun suffered the loss of her husband and three brothers. These losses, though devastating, pale in comparison to the collective grief of the Native American families who defended their homelands from invasion.
The defeat of Custer’s forces sent shockwaves through the United States. For many Americans, the news was unthinkable. Custer had been considered a national hero, and the idea that native forces could defeat him seemed inconceivable. However, for the tribes who fought at Little Big Horn, the battle represented a hard-fought victory in their struggle to defend their lands and way of life. This letter, written in the raw aftermath of the battle, reveals the brutal reality of war and the unmatched courage of Native American warriors. Their victory that day was not just one of survival but a powerful assertion of their right to exist on their own lands, free from the encroachment of settlers and soldiers.