Collection ID: LMC 1245
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Various
Abstract:
The Custer mss., 1876-1933, consists of a copy of the Proceedings of the Court of Inquiry, January 13, 1879, in the case of Major Marcus A. Reno concerning his conduct at the Battle of the Little Big Horn River, 1876.
Extent:
1 Box (1 standard)
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Custer mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Major Marcus A. Reno, 1835-1889, was a soldier involved in the Battle of the Little Big Horn River in 1876. Reno was born in Carollton, Illinois. After the death of his mother in 1848, Reno applied for the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1857 and was assigned to the 1st U.S. Dragoons. During the Civil War, he fought for the Union Army at the battles of Antietam, Kelly's Ford, Williamsport, and Cold Harbor, among others. By 1876 Reno was serving as the senior officer under General George Armstrong Custer, 1839-1876. At the Battle of Little Bighorn, Reno led his company to retreat to a defensive position while Custer's company was overrun. His unit was the only unit to survive the battle. A court of inquiry on January 13, 1879 cleared Reno of charges of cowardice, but his behavior during the battle continued to be portrayed as the antithesis to Custer's brave "last stand." Reno was court marshalled on unrelated charges in 1880, but this ruling was overturned posthumously in 1967. He was then reinterred at Custer National Cemetery.

Scope and Content:

The Custer mss., 1876-1933, consists of a copy of the Proceedings of the Court of Inquiry, January 13, 1879, in the case of Major Marcus A. Reno concerning his conduct at the Battle of the Little Big Horn River, 1876; stenographic report of the testimony, 1879, edited by William James Ghent; penciled notes on the case probably by Walter Mason Camp; photostats of letters by William T. Sherman, August 5, 1876; Marcus A. Reno, July 15,1876; and a photostat of the petition of enlisted survivors of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, July 4, 1876, to the President and the Representatives of the United States; and photographs of the Custer battleground area. A list of the photographs (over 400, mostly from the 1920s, pertaining to Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn) is in the box of pictures.

Acquisition information:
Gift: 1967
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged following original order.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Custer mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu