The "Plainsman" series continues with this powerful story of the U.S. Cavalry following the shocking massacre at Little Big Horn. After Custer's defeat, the Army vowed revenge and declared total war on the Cheyenne and Sioux. As witnessed by scout Seamus Donegan, the long, arduous trek from the Black Hills to the Slim Buttes tested the strength and will of every man involved.
Assistant Army Surgeon Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, nearing end of horse-meat march to the Black Hills.
Posed photo of soldier shooting played-out cavalry horse in march south from Slim Buttes.
Miniconjou chief “American Horse” and wife.
Buckskin lodge captured at Slim Buttes (note Keogh’s I Company guidon recaptured).
LAST STAND
Pushing the Sharps lever down, Donegan ejected the empty cartridge, then replanted a live round in the breech. “Seems those warriors dogging our tails was just a little too anxious to close the trap, don’t it?”
“Lucky us,” grumbled Finerty as he crabbed up to join the three, whining lead following the white men into the timber.
Grouard rolled on his back and found Sibley, then instructed, “Lieutenant, tell your boys not to fire a shot until they got a good target.”
“These men have fought before,” Sibley snapped.
“Just remind ’em!” Donegan added. “We’re going to need every last bullet we have before this day’s done.”
Nodding, a grim Sibley responded, “All right.”
“And … Lieutenant,” Seamus said, causing the officer to halt in a crouch, “tell your men it’s a good idea to keep one last round in their pistols for themselves.”
BOOKS BY TERRY C. JOHNSTON
SON OF THE PLAINS NOVELS
THE PLAINSMEN NOVELS
BRIAN TAYLOR
Cast
of
Characters
Seamus Donegan Samantha Donegan
Frank Grouard (“The Grabber,” Yugata)
Louis (Louie) Richaud (Reshaw)
Baptiste Pourier (“Big Bat,” Left Hand)
William F. Cody
*Charles / James / Jonathan White (“Buffalo Chips Charlie”)
Tait / Tate
Baptiste Garnier (“Little Bat”)
John Wallace “Captain Jack” Crawford (“The Poet Scout”)
“Buckskin Jack” Russell
“Texas Jack” Omohundro
Lieutenant General Philip H. Sheridan—Commander, Division of the Missouri (Chicago)
Brigadier General George C. Crook—commanding Department of the Platte (HQ—Omaha, Nebraska)
General Alfred H. Terry—commanding Department of the Dakota
Colonel Wesley Merritt—Commanding Officer, Fifth Cavalry (Brevet MAJOR GENERAL)
Colonel Nelson A. Miles—Commanding Officer, Fifth In-fantry
Lieutenant Colonel William B. Royall—Commanding Officer, Third Cavalry (Brevet COLONEL)
Lieutenant Colonel Eugene A. Carr—Fifth Cavalry (Brevet MAJOR GENERAL)
Lieutenant Colonel James W. “Sandy” Forsyth—headquarters staff, Division of the Missouri
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler—Fifth Infantry
Major Edwin F. Townsend—Post Commander, Fort Laramie (Brevet COLONEL)
Major Alexander Chambers—Commanding Officer, Fourth Infantry (Brevet COLONEL)
Major Andrew W. Evans—Second in Command, Third Cavalry (Brevet COLONEL) Battalion Commander
Major John J. Upham—Fifth Cavalry, Battalion Commander
Captain Julius W. Mason—K Troop, Fifth Cavalry (Brevet LIEUTENANT COLONEL) Battalion Commander
Captain William H. Jordan—Ninth Infantry, Commanding Officer, Camp Robinson (Brevet MAJOR)
Captain James “Teddy” Egan—K. Troop, Second Cavalry
Captain Emil Adams—C Troop, Fifth Cavalry
Captain Thomas B. Weir—Seventh Cavalry
Captain Edward W. Smith—adjutant to General Alfred Terry
Captain Thaddeus H. Stanton—Paymaster, Department of the Platte, Commander of Volunteers (Brevet MAJOR)
Captain Samuel Munson—C Company, Ninth Infantry
Captain Andrew S. Burt—H Company, Ninth Infantry (Brevet MAJOR)
Captain Gerhard L. Luhn—F Company, Fourth Infantry
Captain Daniel W. Burke—C Company, Fourteenth Infantry
Captain William H. Andrews—I Troop, Third Cavalry
