MENTION THE NAME OF MAJOR EDWARD LUCE TO ANY CUSTER LAST STAND AUTHORITY, AND THEIR EYES WILL LIGHT UP ALONG WITH A GREAT SMILE.

    Luce had been a member of the Seventh Cavalry and successfully waged a campaign involving General Wainright, of WWII Bataan fame, to get a national park at the site of the Last Stand. Luce was then named the first, and to almost all, the best superintndent th battlefielfd ever had. At that time before interstates and poor roads, the area had few visitors- fortunately for history as it turned out. Luce had access to all the enormous archives at the park headquarters with room after room filled with boxes of rare documents, letters, diaries, reports; just about all available on Custer and the battle. He with his wife Evelyn spent years organizing all this, and was also freinds with the nearby Crow Indians, whose ancestors had served with Custer as scouts at the battle and they also related much to him.

    Luce using all he had published this book first in 1949, and then in this greatly expanded edition in 1961.  Luce managed to cover in historic fashion:  cuases of the warfare; warrior moves and heir first contact with troops; Custer's troops take to the trail; Custer divides his command and Reno engages the hostiles; Custer's Last Battle; the Reno-Benteen fight which most writers ignore;  March of Generals Terry and Gibbon and their arrival at the battlefield; Return to Bismarck-Comanche saved!;  The tragic story released- very valuable insights; Guide to the area;; related areas, and more.

    Luce used superb maps and old photos-some of which ave not been printed since especially the conditions of the field just after the battle. He also includes the music and words to Garry Owen- Custer's battle song and still the battle song of the Seventh Cavalry.

    Today, this commands collector prices even in fair condition; this is in pristine condition- a great chance to obtain this wonderful tome at a reasonable price. Questions, please email me. Insurance at $1.65 is mandatory on this.