emmiline...regarding Custer's height...he stood 5 foot 8 inches...US calvary troopers average height back then was 5 ft 6. This was because larger men would tire out the horses more quickly.

Regarding his white buckskin uniform at the museum, I've been there too and have a picture of it. Keep in mind that the pants are actually breeches and were made to end just below the kneee so the leg could fit in the high calvary boots better. It's understandable though that those without riding experience might not know that and therefore judge Cistter's height as smaler than he actually was.

Custer was right about the gatling guns...I've been to the battlefield and am familiar with the land he traversed and I find it very difficult to believe that the gatlings guns, large enough to be considered small artillery, pulled by condemmed calvary horses, as was the practice then, could have traversed the land and kept up wit Custer's pace.

However, CUster did act with haste because he desperately needed a batltlefield victory to save his career after being demoted from the commander of the summer campaign of 1876 to just the calvary commander (as a result of Custer implicating Fred Grant, President Grant's brother, as a corrupt Indian Agent).

Sitting Bull was right in his assessment of Custer when asked why Custer lost the battle: "Custer was a fool and rode to his death." Truer words were never spoken...but whatever might be said about Custer that is true one can't deny that he died for his sins with his boots on...