"Boots and Saddles" Or, Life in Dakota With General Custer

A Great Historical Study For The Time Period Elizabeth Bacon Custer wrote a great history of her life with Custer and the life of the General. The book is written from her point of view in that time's historical context. It is not the writing of an apologist; and remember, it was written in that time of the United States Army's subjugation of the plains Indians. Like Custer or not, the book details a part of our history. She shows to be a totally devoted wife, not just to her husband, but to his history and legacy. This is a fine read for anyone who is interested in not simply the Indian Wars of 2-centuries ago, but also the true devotion of a woman to her husband.

It's hard to believe that I'm the first one to review this incredibly interesting book. After all, it's probably one of the best real life love stories ever told. After the Civil War, General George Armstrong Custer was awarded the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Regular Army, given command of the 7th Cavalry, and ordered west to fight the Indians. His beautiful young bride, nicknamed Libbie, the daughter of a well-known judge, went right along with him. On horse back alongside her husband through the long days and nights on the treacherous trail through Dakota to Fort Lincoln, facing thunderous storms, freezing blizzards, blistering sun and very little in terms of creature comforts, she proved beyond a shadow of doubt that when it came to roughing it on the frontier, the refined and petite Libbie Custer could hold her own with any man. Her personal mix of tenacity, grit, toughness and gentle handed charm, innocent beauty and caring won her the respect of both men and women and she is remembered as one of the great American women of the nineteenth century. In this, her first book, Boots and Saddles, published in 1885, she chronicles the journey of the 7th Cavalry across the frontier to Fort Lincoln, Dakota, and their stay at the fort. In an eloquent and enjoyable writing style, Libbie recalls the life and times, the ups and down, the happiness and the sorrow of the brave men and women living at Fort Lincoln right up to and including June 25, 1876, and the fateful battle of the Little Big Horn where colonel Custer and his 7th Cavalry lost there lives in what has become the most notorious Indian battle in American history. Elizabeth Bacon Custer survived her husband by an astonishing 57-years, devoting her life to writing, speaking and promoting the good name of her truly beloved General George Armstrong Custer. I loved this book and give it all five stars.

There are so few well written and personally lived books about the people of the northern great plains, but this is one of them. Mrs. Custer gives intimate details of life in the cavalry and the Dakotas of a time now gone.She tells of blizzards, heat, insects, dangers and people in a most readable way that draws the reader in. This is a special book that speaks to the plainsman's heart.

Althought the opinions of Custer and life with the calvary are viewed through (very) rosy glasses, Mrs. G.A. Custer is a witty and prolific writer. She also gives little-known insight into everyday happenings in life on the prairie and how women survived the journey. Particularly interesting are the dynamics of relationships between women when living literally in the middle of nowhere, surviving the harshest of climates, with few friends, the same friends, for extended times. Also interesting is the relationship between people of color and the white soldiers. Custer is an enigma, and readers should read this book but also others ("Son of the Morning Star" is the best thus far) to get a glimpse at the man. Libby Custer falls into poetic verse at times, but this can be refreshing - there are not many writings of women in these times available.

This is really a question insteadof a review. I have a copy of Boots and Saddles written by Elizabeth B. Custer. The copyright is 1885, by Harper & Brothers. The first page has a note wrote on it "To my friend Richard Dec 25th 1890 then a signature of the giver M L Malis ? Would you know anything about this particular book?