Custer’s Last Stand: Were There Really Survivors?

On June 25, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, five companies of the U.S. Seventh Cavalry, under the direct command of George Armstrong Custer were wiped out. Over the course of the next seventy years, however, more than 120 men would come forward claiming to be the sole survivor of Custer’s Last Stand.

[morrisparkintheozarks]

My great great grandfather , William Ephraim Morris was a survivor!! Was with Reno in the valley when they dismounted, were overrun and retreated across the river. In fact I was almost not here!! He was wounded in the retreat, shot in the left breast. His account of the little big horn is considered one of the most accurate to this day. So, yes, soldiers lnvolved in the battle did survive. Not just soldiers that were separated from the battle. I still have his battle sword.

[MyelinProductions]

Major Marcus A. Reno, Frederick W. Benteen, Captain French, Assistant Surgeon Henry R. Porter & medical team survived. Reno & Benteen are famous for their "defensive positions" and their units suffered but made it out. They held off the attackers for 2 days. So, there were 7th Cavalry members who did survive. Sadly Custer's direct command has no "recorded" survivor. ~ Thank You and as a former US Army Officer I appreciate the videos. Be Safe out there folks. ~ Peace & Health to Us All.

[roberthudson]

Contrary to popular belief, there were 344 survivors from the 7th Cavalry. Since six privates and a sergeant were detached from each company to join the pack train, some of those men from Custer's battalion survived.

[brittongodman]

Not sure that Frank Finckle's story is the most controversial, but it certainly is the most believable. He knew many facts about the battle that were not really accepted as fact until years after his death. He also had a rather intimate knowledge of the outlying topography of the Little Bighorn riparian area that could only be known by someone who was there.

[patricklondon]

I was at the Little Big Horn, 100 years after the battle. 😁

[tballstaedt]

I actually think there might actually be something to the Finkle Story.

[richarddavenport]

I read a book about Flinkle. I think it very well is a true story.

[mauserwaffen]

I love your videos! Please keep them coming sir!

[praetoriandorn]

More alleged survivors than actually took part in the battle

[arsmith]

I believe if you check you'll find that Finkle was actually Private L Einhorn.

[ewmhop]

BACK IN THOSE DAYS, PEOPLE CLAIMED TO BE SOMEONE FAMOUS ALL THE TIMES.JESSE JAMES, BILLY THE KID AND SUNDANCE KID.ONLY GOD KNOW FOR SURE.THE INDIANS USED THE SAME BATTLE TACTICS TO SUROUND CUSTER AND HIS TROOPERS AS THEY DID ON FETTERMAN IN 1866.THEY HAD BETTER FIREPOWER AND WARRIORS, 10 TO 1 NOT GOOD ODDS. ALSO PEOPLE FORGET THAT MOST OF THE TROOPERS WERE NOT SEASONED VETS.

[TrulyTom]

It reminds me of the stories of latter day losers who were busted for "stolen valor" it is a trip! What make these people 🤔 into these worst category of "wannabes"?! I'm an honorably discharged Air Force Veteran. I was a logistician in SAC. I enjoyed being a bureaucrat I was good at my job and never pretended or expected to be anything else.

[arthurkarsesnick]

Little big man survived Dustin Hoffman played him in the movie

[Placard]

Then there's the story of a Co. E grey horse by the name of Nap that followed the troops back to the fort, and rumors that Vic was seen with the Sioux in Canada

[toddwebb]

Plenty of survivors on the Indian side

[_i_am_unceded]

There were hundreds of survivors of the battle.

[cat_daddy]

A distant relative, Otto Voit was a survivor

[SeanRCope]

Pvt. Peter Thompson C Coy. Best and only survivor in my mind. But there is that grave 30 miles away where they found a body and horse.

[waynelayton]

Finkle survived and his Grandson Was a kicker for the Dolphins, Laces out!!

[TrulyTom]

I think that Frank Finkle may have been legitimate because it was a common thing to enlist in the US Army in the 19th century under an assumed name. It was considered a unsavory kind of business as only debtors, immigrants and fugitives from the law went into the army in those days.