A quick browse through the "new books" section of my local library turned up End of Custer, the Death of an American Military Legend by Dale T. Schoenberger ( 1995, Hancock House). This should be of great interest to any gamer of the Indian Wars as it VERY graphically describes the savageness and desperation of the fighting at Little Big Horn. It's the most thorough account that I've ever read (and maybe more than I ever wanted to know) of the battle.

The well-researched (based on recent and long overlooked archaeological evidence) deaths of each key trooper is so vivid that the reader is hard pressed to stomach more than a chapter a night! However, it might give the wargamer a better idea of what to incorporate in such a scenario.

There are a number of exciting situations and details included in the book such as: Packmules being poorly outfitted, with loads constantly falling off (and slowing their progress). Some horseholders had to try and manage as many as TEN horses -- so that more men could be used on the firing line. Even worse was the trooper holding on to his own mount while trying to get off a shot!

One trooper's horse bolted during the initial charge by Custer on the village, carrying the man smack into the village -- where he was promptly butchered in front of the soldiers (which contributed to a halt in the charge giving the Indians time to gather their wits and weapons and mount their own attack).

Quickly realizing the overwhelming situation, the author suggests that Custer made an attempt to capture the non-combatants in the village (as he did so successfully at Washita -- it was not the slaughter that letter day historians would have us believe -- knowing that the warriors wouldn't attack). Just the Reno/Benteen stand alone has a wealth of info -- like the accuracy of Indian snipers (imagine if the Zulus had been good shots at Rorke's Drift) and the charges on foot, led by Benteen to clear away pockets of warriors. One trooper put to good use a telescopic rifle!

Contrary to Indian claims, as over the years, many eyewitness accounts have been bent and twisted, troopers were taken alive back to the village to be tortured and burned at the stake (some were beheaded -- shades of Gordon!).

In today's climate, it's refreshing to see a book honestly show how brutal the Indian was, and how the quality of the cavalry officer affected so deeply the performance of the troops -- much more than in the British army, I believe.

While there are only three maps and about 40 photos (mostly officer portraits and one of Medicine Tail Coulee, an area which looks very much like the terrain encountered by the British in Zululand), there is more than enough information to be found, including a good appendix of tables of divisions, companies, and Indians.

Be sure to look for this book to add to your collection. (One tidbit of info that could be added to one's rules is to roll a die for each carbine after a number of volleys, reflecting the high degree of jamming caused by the soft shell casings -- which had to be dug out by knife).

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