Lieutenant Edward S. Godfrey: Inside the 7th Cavalry at the Little Bighorn

In the turbulent summer of 1876, Lieutenant Edward Settle Godfrey—commanding K Company of the 7th Cavalry under General George Armstrong Custer—kept a detailed diary of his experiences on the Great Plains. His entries span the tense weeks leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, chronicling the daily life of frontier soldiers, the intensity of command, and the shadow of destiny that loomed over Custer’s final campaign.

Godfrey’s voice is eyewitness history at its sharpest: perceptive, honest, and deeply human. Decades after the battle, he published his now-classic 1892 Century Magazine article—the first account by a 7th Cavalry officer to reveal what truly happened at the “Last Stand.” His recollections introduced readers to figures like Mitch Bouyer, Bloody Knife, and Half-Yellow-Face—the scouts whose foresight and fatal courage foretold the scale of the coming fight.

From campfire strategy to the chaos of battle, this stirring record immerses readers in the heart of one of America’s most enduring legends. Praised by historians for its clarity and authenticity, Godfrey’s frontier diary and his later reflections remain vital for anyone fascinated by Custer’s 7th Cavalry, the Indian Wars, and the complex truths behind American mythmaking.

Rediscovered and faithfully preserved by Big Byte Books, this volume is a gripping addition to any library of the Old West, military history, or true frontier adventure.

Excerpt from Godfrey’s 1892 Century Magazine Article

“Mitch” Bouyer, the half-breed interpreter, “Bloody Knife,” the chief of the Ree scouts, “Half-Yellow-Face,” the chief of the Crow scouts, and others were having a “talk.” I observed them for a few minutes, when Bouyer turned toward me, apparently at the suggestion of “Half-Yellow-Face,” and said, “Have you ever fought against these Sioux?” “Yes,” I replied. Then he asked, “Well, how many do you expect to find?” I answered, “It is said we may find between one thousand and fifteen hundred.” “Well, do you think we can whip that many?” “Oh, yes, I guess so.” After he had interpreted our conversation, he said to me with a good deal of emphasis, “Well, I can tell you we are going to have a big fight”