Gen. Custer Full-Length Colour Uniform Plate Source ?

[Razorback]

I'd very much like to find a book which contains a large, detailed, full-length colour plate of Gen. Custer in the uniform that he definitely would have been wearing in the Battle at the Little Big Horn.

Please can anyone supply the title of such a book ?

 

[Johan]

Hey there,

The best thing that could happen for you is that Steve Warrilow of "The Fusilier" comes along and reads your post ... He's done quite an extensive research on the subject of uniforms of the 7th cavalry and specific personalities at the Little Bighorn, for his wonderful diorama "the greasy grass" he did more than 15 years ago. Perhaps shoot him an e-mail via his website ? Here's the link : http://www.thefusilier.demon.co.uk/
I recall from his diorama that he did a great Custer figure, and I'm 100% sure it had buckskin breeches with fringes, and a dark blue shirt, of a fancier kind than trooper's shirts.
Seriously, I would ask Steve if you want to get good references for Lieut. Col. Custer at The Little Bighorn.

 

[ckleisch]

I read your post and i have a booklet I picked up at little Big horn last year while on vacation. It has a plate in it that may be what you are seeking. If you have an e-mail address I would be happy to scan it and send you a JPEG of the plate.

 

[Anders Heintz]

Last summer I was part of the cast for a BBC production called "Custers Plan". For the Custers Last Stand scene Custer (Toby Stephens) wore a double breasted blue shirt with white trim and standard blue trousers tucked into his boots.

The production was pretty good about accuracy and the guys in charge of historical accuracy are supposed to be on the ball. Although I am no expert on it I think they did their research well.

Here is a YouTube clip of the last stand scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m32BJrOGEIQ&mode=related&search=

I have a ton of pictures from the set and several good ones of Custer if you are interested.

 

[Steve]

It is very difficult to say anything "definite" about costume at that fight; Custer was found naked so his outfit is lost. Artists JK Ralston, William Reussweg, OC Selzer and others agree on it, but secondary sources are tricky especially spread over several years. I have a number of books on this battle but none show simply a print of Custer. Osprey's "Little Bighorn" (Campaigns 39) includes a photo of a print by Elk Eber (pp. 78) showing the costume most often cited in art: buckskin trousers with fringe on the outer seam, "firemans" shirt of dark blue, double breasted with white buttons, twin rows of white piping on the chest and collar, with a "7" and crossed sabers embroidered in the angle of each collar point, issue style black boots, brown leather pistol belt with brown leather holsters for his imported English Bulldog .45's and a sheath knife in a red,white, and blue beaded sheath. Around his neck he wore a red scarf similar to that he wore in the Civil War and on his shorn strawberry-blonde head he wore a light-colored non-issue "sombrero". The buckskin trousers were the bottom part of a suit; the fringed jacket was most likely stored on his cantle roll as the day was hot and humid, though some of the above paintings show him wearing it. The troops were in shirtsleeve order so it is logical that he would be as well, but again, definitely? Dunno. Sorry I cannot be more helpful with specific references but I assure if I have erred in my description someone will kindly point that out.--Steve Scott

 

[Steve]

Finally found a plate: Gregory Urwin's "The United States Cavalry, An Illustrated History". It shows GAC in the above costume.--

 

[AJLaFleche]

Anders, do you know when this will be broadcast?

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hola Al,

The movie/documentary aired on BBC last spring in the UK. When we filmed the movie it was said that A&E was part of the deal, but from what I last heard the Discovery Channel bought the rights to show it here in the States. Im not sure when they will air it though.

The show is called "Custers Plan" and it will be neat to see it on TV. The You Tube clips (I think total of 9) shows the whole thing, but its not the best quality.

 

[Anders Heintz]

Did a google search on it and found this on Stephen Billington's website (he plays Benteen in the show).

"The new 50-minute docu-film, that Stephen was in, was called 'Custer's Plan' and is one of the episodes in the 'The Wild West' series, that was filmed entirely on the South Dakota [USA] prairie.

Stephen played a Captain, based on a real person that actually fought at the Little Big Horn, named Frederic Benteen. And Stephen gave him a Southern accent!! And if you think that sounds lovely, you're absolutely right!!

General Custer was played by Toby Stephens. Also in the cast, was Roger Clarke as Captain Thomas Weir, Alan Cox as Mark Kellogg, a reporter that rode along with the Cavalry, Nigel Whitmey as Major Marcus Reno, and James Jordan as scout, Mitch Boyer.

'Custer's Plan' was directed by Dave Stewart ('The Human Face' documentary with John Cleese, not from the Eurythmics.) And it is reported to be, the most accurate portrayal of the old Frontier Army in the field, filmed yet - to date.

Evidently it has already aired in UK, and BBC has taken pity on the rest of of who want to see it, because it is posted, in parts, over at YouTube. It is also supposed to air on the Discovery Channel later this year, in the States. You can order one for Zone 2, at the BBC Shop at this URL or at amazon.co.uk, at this URL. But while you wait for your copy to arrive in the mail, you can go over to YouTube and watch it right now! They are all listed under 'Custer', and the URL's are as follows..."

http://www.sbillington.com/LatestInfo.html

 

[AJLaFleche]

Thanks, Anders.I'll be looking for it.