SURVIVING THE “LAST STAND”
By Jim Foster
Walking through the Federal Cemetery at the Little Big Horn Battlefield is an adventure all its own. History seems to surround you and your mind hears the sights and sounds of past wars and military encounters.
This was my experience on my first visit to the rolling hills and coulees along the Little Big Horn River in Montana.
Spending most of the day wandering the hills where Custer fell created an interest in the ill-fated battle. Then reading LACOTA NOON gave me a better insight into what really happened.
When I have been there interesting things happen. My last visit with my grandson Corey Ringle wasn’t different, although it was weeks later before I knew what it was.
As Corey and I walked through the cemetery I was shooting photographs and Corey and I were discussing the various dates and wars of solders interred there.
Several weeks later I was sorting and filing photographs from that trip and found the image of a headstone reading “CURLEY - CUSTER SCOUT”. A bit of research led to the story of who may have been the only survivor of the battle. Although some don’t agree, I lean toward believing he was there and escaped. A known fact is that Custer dismissed all Indian scouts before the battle.
Curley or ASHISHISHE was born in approximately 1856 in Montana Territory, the son of Strong Bear and Strikes By the Side of the Water. Curley resided on the Crow Reservation in the vicinity of Pryor Creek, and married Bird Woman.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Indian scout on April 10, 1876 and was later chosen to scout for the Seventh Cavalry during the Little Bighorn expedition in 1876 along with fellow Crow warriors White Man Runs Him, Goes Ahead, Hairy Moccasin and others.
Curley witnessed parts of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and his translated account later appeared in several newspapers, as he was thought to be the only surviving witness from the U.S. side of Custer's Last Stand. Curley later gave several variations on his account, and the accuracy of his recollections has been questioned.
However, two of the most influential historians of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Walter Mason Camp (who interviewed Curly on several occasions) and John S. Gray, accepted Curley's account. Curley later lived on the Crow Reservation on the bank of the Little Bighorn River, close to the site of the Battle.
Curley later served in the Crow Police. Curley had one daughter Awakuk Korita ha Sakush ("Bird of Another Year") who took the English name Nora.
Curley received a U.S. pension as of 1920. He died of pneumonia in 1923, and his remains were interred in the National Cemetery at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, only a mile from his home.
So whether or not Curly was the only survivor of the battle of the Little Big Horn he did serve his country and was a loyal follower of a leader know for careless actions and strong political motivations. May he rest in peace in the Little Big Horn Federal Cemetary.
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
