Editing Battle of the Little Bighorn (section)

===Admiration for Custer===
Criticism of Custer was not universal. While investigating the battlefield, Lieutenant General [[Nelson A. Miles]] wrote in 1877, "The more I study the moves here [on the Little Big Horn], the more I have admiration for Custer."<ref>Sklenar, p. 341.</ref> Facing major budget cutbacks, the U.S. Army wanted to avoid bad press and found ways to exculpate Custer. They blamed the defeat on the Indians' alleged possession of numerous repeating rifles and the overwhelming numerical superiority of the warriors.{{NoteTag|Twenty-three men were called to testify at the inquiry, which met in session daily except Sundays. For the army, far more was at stake than individual reputations, as the future of the service could be affected. On January 2, General Sheridan had quoted Lee's report of agent malfeasance in a supplement to his annual report, which continued the General's running battle with the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] and the [[Department of the Interior]]. At the same time, a House committee was busy debating a new appropriations bill that required a major reorganization of the army. "Reduction of expenses" was emphasized. One proposal would lop off entire regiments, including two cavalry regiments. Another would set the line officers (those in the field) from Major down back a few years in the promotion schedule. The total reduction in officers was proposed to be 406, almost 25 percent of the total. The military strongly wanted to avoid confirmation of incompetency or cowardice—rumors of which were circulating around the impending court of inquiry in Chicago. Donovan (2008). ''A Terrible Glory'' (Kindle Locations 6395–6403)}}

The widowed [[Elizabeth Bacon Custer]], who never remarried, wrote three popular books in which she fiercely protected her husband's reputation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1= Smith|first1= Gene|year= 1993|journal= American Heritage|volume= 44|issue= 8|url= http://www.americanheritage.com/content/libbie-custer|title= Libbie Custer|access-date= 10 September 2012|url-status = live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131220201035/http://www.americanheritage.com/content/libbie-custer|archive-date= December 20, 2013|df= mdy-all}}</ref>{{NoteTag|Libbie Custer "spent almost sixty years commemorating her marriage—and her memories of it quite literally kept her alive....she was quintessentially the professional widow, forcing it to become a very touchy matter for any military writer or officer to criticize Custer for having insanely launched an attack without taking the most elementary precautions or making even an attempt at reconnaissance. To say or write such put one in the position of standing against bereaved Libbie". Smith, Gene (1993) ''op cit''.}} She lived until 1933, hindering much serious research until most of the evidence was long gone.<ref>Smith, Gene (1993) ''op cit''.</ref> In addition, Captain Frederick Whittaker's 1876 book idealizing Custer was hugely successful.<ref>''A Complete Life of General George A. Custer'' (1876), noted in Donovan (2008). ''A Terrible Glory'' (Kindle Locations 6222–6223)</ref> Custer as a heroic officer fighting valiantly against savage forces was an image popularized in ''Wild West'' extravaganzas hosted by showman [[Buffalo Bill|"Buffalo Bill" Cody]], [[Pawnee Bill]], and others. It was not until over half a century later that historians took another look at the battle and Custer's decisions that led to his death and loss of half his command and found much to criticize.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.historynet.com/buffalo-bills-skirmish-at-warbonnet-creek.htm|title= Buffalo Bill's Skirmish At Warbonnet Creek|author= Robert B.Smith|date= June 12, 2006|work= American History Magazine|access-date= August 25, 2012|url-status = live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121001171445/http://www.historynet.com/buffalo-bills-skirmish-at-warbonnet-creek.htm|archive-date= October 1, 2012|df= mdy-all}}</ref>