Trumpet on the Land: The Aftermath of Custer's Massacre, 1876

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.”