Bloodshed of Eagles. William W. Johnstone

      Falcon was admitted to the hearing room without question, and when he took his seat, Custer was already testifying.

      “General, I know that after your first appearance, we dismissed you so you could return to your regiment. I appreciate your willingness to appear before this committee a second time,” Congressman Hiester Clymer said. “And I’m certain that your testimony will be full and truthful.”

      “It will be, sir,” Custer replied.

      “Mr. Chairman, let the record show that Colonel Custer did not return voluntarily, but was summoned to reappear,” Republican Congressman William Baker of New York said.

      “Is that a significant point?” Clymer asked.

      “It is, sir,” Baker replied. “You spoke of Custer’s willingness to appear as if his appearance was voluntary. Nothing could be further from the truth. As I stated, he had left Washington and had to be brought back by summons.”

      “Congressman, I left Washington because General Sherman had authorized my release,” Custer said. “I would point out to you, sir, that I returned immediately upon being summoned. It isn’t as if I had been brought here under arrest.”

      “Though it would have been within the committee’s right to force you to return had it been necessary,” Baker insisted. “And I’m quite sure you were aware of that.”

      “Had it been necessary,” Custer repeated. “But it wasn’t, was it?”

      Clymer banged the hammer on the table. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, please. Let us proceed,” he said.

      Custer reached for a pitcher of water and poured himself a glass as he waited for the first question.

      “General, when we spoke in camera, you shared a vignette with me about an incident that happened at Ft. Lincoln,” Clymer said. “I wonder if you could share that with the committee.”

      “Yes, sir, I would be glad to,” Custer replied. “Because the post trader was charging soldiers so much money just for the bare necessities, I and some of the officers of the Seventh pooled our resources and bought goods from suppliers in Bismarck. We could get a soldier’s needs for almost half of what the post trader charged, and we sold it to the men at cost. But Secretary Belknap sent direct orders prohibiting us from doing that, saying that members of the military could buy only from the post trader.”

      “Colonel Custer,” Baker said, purposely eschewing the use of his brevet rank. “Isn’t this order designed to specifically prohibit civilian merchants from taking advantage of the soldier?”

      “Meaning it is better for the post sutler to take advantage of the soldier?” Custer responded.

      “Mr. Chairman, I request that you inform the witness that he is to show proper respect to the members of this committee, or face contempt of congress charges,” Baker said.

      “General, you will be respectful at all times, sir,” Clymer instructed Custer.

      “I beg your pardon, gentlemen of the committee,” Custer said. “I meant no disrespect. It was merely my—admittedly awkward—attempt to explain the situation. I apologize.”

      “Apology accepted,” Clymer replied.

      Later, the discussion turned to arms, and Custer complained that while his troops were equipped with old, single shot weapons, the Indians were being sold repeating rifles.

      “Are you saying, General, that the United States Army is not being supplied with the finest weapons available?” Democrat Congressman Davis of West Virgina asked.

      “That is exactly what I’m saying, Congressman,” Custer replied.

      “May I ask the colonel what is wrong with the weapons your soldiers are carrying?” Baker asked.

      It did not escape Falcon’s notice that those congressman who were supporting Belknap addressed Custer by his actual rank, lieutenant colonel, whereas those who were supporting Custer’s charges addressed him by his brevet rank, general.

      “In comparison to the newest, repeating rifles, Congressman Baker, the shortfalls are almost too numerous to mention,” Custer said. “But I will tell you the most egregious fault.”

      Custer took a shell and a bent nail from his pocket and held them up for all to see. “This, gentlemen, is the biggest problem with the Sharps Carbine.”

      “I don’t understand, Colonel,” Baker said. “What are you telling us?”

      “This is a forty-five-caliber cartridge,” Custer said, holding up the shell. “The shell casing is made of copper. At least half the time, after the weapon is fired, the cartridge swells up in the chamber and the ejector, instead of withdrawing the empty casing, merely cuts through the flange, leaving the casing tightly lodged in the chamber.” He held up the bent nail. “That leaves the soldier with no alternative, but to use a bent nail to dig the cartridge out.” He pantomimed a demonstration, then put the shell and the nail on the table before him. “In the meantime, the Indian, who is armed with a repeater rifle, can get off four or five more shots.”

      “And you blame Secretary Belknap for that?” Clymer asked.

      “I do indeed, sir,” Custer said. Then he added, “And I also blame the president’s brother, Orville Grant.”

      At the mention of President Grant’s brother’s name, there was such an outcry that Clymer had to gavel the meeting back to order.

      Once order was restored, Custer continued his testimony, naming names and pointing out specific incidents of corruption.

      May 1, 1876

      Willard Hotel

      The hearings had been going on for two days now, and so far Custer had been unable to arrange a meeting with Secretary of War Taft. He was beginning to think about chucking the whole thing and just going back to Colorado. What difference did it really make whether he had a government commission or not? If the governor didn’t like it,