A warrior who fought Custer

A rare voice rises from the plains, recalling the summer of 1876 through the eyes of a Cheyenne veteran who stood opposite Custer’s troops. The narrator, known as Wooden Leg, shares his own life story and the traditions that shaped his people, offering listeners a glimpse of the world before the clash. His memories are complemented by sketches and hand‑drawn maps that bring the landscape to life.

The author, a longtime physician among the Northern Cheyennes, spent decades building trust with the warriors, allowing them to speak freely in their own sign language and limited English. Their accounts are woven together with those of fellow fighters, women, and even some Sioux, creating a chorus of perspectives that verify each detail. Beyond the battle itself, the work explores daily life on the reservation, spiritual practices, and the enduring ties that kept the stories vivid for half a century.

In this intimate oral history, listeners will hear vivid descriptions of the encampments, the tension before the encounter, and the movements of the warriors as they prepared for confrontation. The storytelling feels like sitting beside a campfire, hearing the crackle of fire and the steady rhythm of voices that have long been unheard in mainstream histories. It offers a grounded, human portrait of a conflict that reshaped a nation.