The Death of Isaiah Dorman: Battle of the Little Bighorn

 

Video : The Death of Isaiah Dorman: Battle of the Little Bighorn

On June 25, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, five companies of the U.S. Seventh Cavalry, under the direct command of George Armstrong Custer were wiped out. 

Amid the chaos of that day, one figure often overlooked emerges: Isaiah Dorman, the only African American killed in the battle. As a skilled interpreter for the U.S. Army, Dorman's life bridged worlds—Black, White, and Native.  His death encapsulated the brutal ironies of the Indian Wars.

Isaiah Dorman's early life remains shrouded in mystery. Born around 1832 in Pennsylvania, he was likely freeborn, with a father of African-Jamaican descent and a mother of mixed African and Native American heritage. By the 1850s, Dorman was in the Dakota Territory working as a trapper, trader, and laborer. He married Celeste St. Pierre, a young woman from the Santee Sioux band led by Inkpaduta, and integrated deeply into Native life. Dorman was described as a large, dark-skinned man. There are no authenticated surviving photographs of Dorman

In spring 1876, Dorman joined Custer's 7th Cavalry expedition against the Lakota and Cheyenne, hired as a civilian Sioux interpreter at a premium rate due to his expertise and connections, including friendships with figures like Chief Sitting Bull. The campaign aimed to force non-reservation tribes onto designated lands amid gold rush tensions in the Black Hills. Departing from Fort Abraham Lincoln, the force marched toward the Little Bighorn River, unaware of the massive Native encampment ahead—estimated at 7,000 people, including 1,500-2,000 warriors.

On June 25, 1876 when Custer divided his 600 men into battalions, Dorman rode with Major Marcus Reno's detachment of about 140 troops, tasked with attacking the village from the south. As Reno's men charged into the valley, they met fierce resistance from Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Reno ordered a retreat across the river to defensive bluffs, but Dorman fell behind. Eyewitness Private Roman Rutten recalled seeing Dorman on one knee, methodically firing a non-regulation sporting rifle at advancing Indian warriors, shouting, "Goodbye, Rutten!" as the soldier galloped past. An Indian account described: "We passed a black man in a soldier's uniform... He turned on his horse and shot an Indian right through the heart. Then the Indians fired... and riddled his horse with bullets. His horse fell over on his back and the black man could not get up."

Accounts of his final moments vary but paint a grim picture. One narrative claims Sitting Bull, recognizing his old acquaintance, dismounted, offered water from a buffalo horn cup, and said, "Don't kill that man, he is a friend of mine," before riding on. However, many are skeptical of this story. Moving Robe Woman (Eagle Robe), shot him in revenge for her brother's death, after which a group of Lakota women tortured him with stone hammers and knives.  His body was mutilated—arrows embedded, slashes across the face and body, and a 16-by-2-inch strip of skin removed as a war trophy by his wife's niece, Iron Antelope, later preserved in a North Dakota museum. Private William Slaper described finding the corpse "with many arrows shot into his body and head, badly cut and slashed." These acts reflected Native beliefs that wounds would carry into the afterlife, punishing Dorman for siding with the "bluecoats" against his adopted people.

Remnants of an Army

 

Elizabeth Thompson’s (Lady Butler) Remnants of an Army (1879) is a depiction of the aftermath of the British retreat from Kabul during the First Anglo-Afghan War in 1842. The painting captures the sole survivor of a 16,000-strong British force, Dr. William Brydon, arriving at Jalalabad.

The composition centers on Brydon, slumped on a weary horse, his face gaunt and eyes hollow, embodying exhaustion and survival. The stark, snowy landscape amplifies the desolation, with muted colors evoking a sense of loss. Butler’s attention to detail—Brydon’s tattered uniform, the horse’s drooping head—conveys the physical and emotional toll of the retreat. Unlike typical Victorian military art glorifying triumph, this painting subverts convention, focusing on defeat and resilience.

Historically, the retreat from Kabul was a disaster, with the British column decimated by Afghan tribesmen and harsh winter conditions. Butler, known for her empathetic portrayals of soldiers, uses Brydon’s survival to highlight individual endurance.

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The Battle of Isandlwana: Zulu War

 

The Battle of Isandlwana, fought on January 22, 1879, less than three years after Custer’s last stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, was one of the most catastrophic defeats in British military history.

 

On June 25, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, five companies of the U.S. Seventh Cavalry, some 210 men, under the direct command of George Armstrong Custer were wiped out.  The results of the Battle of Isandlwana would be far worse.

The Anglo-Zulu War stemmed from British ambitions to confederate South Africa under their control. High Commissioner Sir Henry Bartle Frere, without explicit approval from London, issued an ultimatum to the Zulu king Cetshwayo on December 11, 1878, demanding the Zulu disband their 35,000–50,000-strong army, accept a British resident, and become a British client state.

When Cetshwayo refused, Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford, commanding British forces, launched an invasion with 16,500 troops, including 7,000 British regulars, African auxiliaries, and colonial volunteers, equipped with Martini-Henry rifles, artillery, and two Gatling guns.

The Zulus relied on their traditional "buffalo horns" formation—encircling enemies with flanking horns while the center engaged—using short stabbing spears, cowhide shields, and limited, outdated muskets.

Chelmsford’s divided his forces into three columns all converging on the Zulu capital, Ulundi. The central column, under his direct command, crossed the Buffalo River at Rorke’s Drift on January 11, 1879, and established a camp at Isandlwana, 10 miles into Zululand. The site, beneath the rocky outcrop of Isandlwana hill, was chosen for its open terrain but was left unfortified. Chelmsford underestimated the Zulu’s speed, intelligence network, and resolve, assuming their forces were far away and disorganized.

On the morning of January 22, Chelmsford split his force, taking 2,500 men to scout for the Zulu army.  The camp now housed about 1,700 men, including 900 British regulars, 400 colonial troops, and 400 African auxiliaries, under the command of Colonel Henry Pulleine.  Unbeknownst to Chelmsford, a Zulu army of 25,000 warriors was closing in.

 Colonel Anthony Durnford arrived with 500 mounted troops to reinforce the position but, acting on a scout’s report, led a detachment to pursue a supposed Zulu retreat.

Around 8 a.m., a British scouting party stumbled upon the Zulu army concealed in a valley 5 miles east. The Zulus, initially resting, sprang into action, launching a coordinated assault by 10:30 a.m. Their buffalo horns formation unfolded with devastating precision: the left horn swept around the British right flank, the right horn targeted the left, and the central “chest” pressed forward. Pulleine deployed his troops in an extended firing line to maximize their Martini-Henry rifles’ range, but the line was too thin, stretching over a mile. The Zulu advance, moving at a disciplined jog, absorbed heavy casualties but closed the distance rapidly, exploiting the open terrain.

By noon, the situation deteriorated. Durnford’s detachment, returning from their pursuit, was cut off by the Zulu left horn and overwhelmed; Durnford was killed. The British line, hampered by the too slow dispersal of reserve ammunition during the fight began to buckle. Zulu warriors infiltrated gaps, targeting tents and wagons, disrupting resupply efforts. The Zulu horns completed their encirclement, and hand-to-hand combat ensued. The British, trained for disciplined volleys, were ill-prepared for the Zulus’ close-quarters ferocity. By 2 p.m., the camp was overrun. Pulleine, realizing defeat, reportedly handed the regimental colors to a lieutenant for safekeeping before being killed. Of the 1,700 defenders, over 1,300 perished, including 52 officers, 727 British regulars, 471 African and colonial troops, and others. Zulu losses were heavy—estimated at 1,000–2,000 killed—but they captured 1,000 rifles, two cannons, and vast ammunition stores.

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Scotland Forever!

 

This iconic oil painting, created by British painter Elizabeth Thompson (Lady Butler) in 1881, depicts the charge of the Royal Scots Greys, a British heavy cavalry regiment, at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The painting captures the moment the cavalry begins its charge, with dynamic composition and vivid colors emphasizing the bravery and motion of the horses and cavalrymen. Despite historical inaccuracies (the charge was at a slower pace due to muddy terrain), it remains a celebrated image of valor.

Widely reproduced and regarded as an emblem of courage, it reflects Thompson’s fame for depicting ordinary soldiers’ heroism, shaped by her observations of cavalry exercises. It is held at the Leeds Art Gallery in the United Kingdom.

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The Odyssey of Christopher Columbus' Remains

 

Christopher Columbus, the famed explorer whose voyages reshaped the world, died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain. Yet, the journey of his remains across continents and centuries is a saga as complex and contentious as his life.

After his death on May 20, 1506, at the age of fifty-four, Columbus was buried modestly in Valladolid, Spain. His remains were soon moved to a monastery in Seville, Spain, per the wishes of his family. By 1537, his body was shipped to the island of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic and Haiti), where Columbus had requested to be buried before his death. He was interred in the cathedral of Santo Domingo.

When Spain ceded Hispaniola to France in the early 1790s. Spanish authorities, unwilling to leave Columbus’ remains under French control, exhumed his bones and shipped them to Havana, Cuba. There, the remains were placed in a grand monument in Havana’s cathedral, reflecting Spain’s desire to maintain Columbus as a national hero.

In 1877, workers in Santo Domingo’s cathedral uncovered a lead box inscribed with Columbus’ name, containing bones. This discovery sparked a heated dispute. The Dominican Republic claimed these were the true remains, arguing that the Spanish had mistakenly taken someone else’s bones to Havana in the 1790s. Spain, however, insisted that the Havana remains were authentic. The debate raged without resolution, as both nations clung to their claims for cultural and historical prestige.

When Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898 following the Spanish-American War, Columbus’ Havana remains were moved again, this time back to Seville, Spain. They were placed in the Seville Cathedral, where they remain today in a grand tomb carried by statues representing the four kingdoms of Spain. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic continues to assert that the bones in Santo Domingo are Columbus’, housing them in a monumental lighthouse, the Faro a Colón, built in 1992.

Modern science has attempted to settle the dispute. In 2003, Spanish researchers conducted DNA analysis on the Seville remains, comparing them to the known DNA of Columbus’ brother Diego and his son Hernando, both buried in Spain. The results confirmed a mitochondrial DNA match, strongly suggesting that the Seville bones are indeed Columbus’. However, the Dominican Republic has not allowed similar testing on the Santo Domingo remains, citing their national heritage status, leaving the question open to speculation.

Further complicating matters, some historians suggest Columbus’ remains may have been fragmented, with parts left in Santo Domingo and others taken to Havana, then Seville. Without comprehensive testing, this theory remains unproven. The lack of definitive evidence fuels ongoing debate, with both Spain and the Dominican Republic maintaining their claims.

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Battle of the Little Bighorn: Medal of Honor Recipients

 

In July 1862, Congress authorized a Medal of Honor to be awarded to soldiers who “distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action.”  The first medals were presented in 1863, and it remains the highest decoration for valor the United States can bestow on an individual in the armed services.  There were 421 Medals of Honor awarded during the Indian Wars from 1865 to 1891.

Twenty-four individuals received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, specifically for actions in defense of Reno Hill.  These medals were awarded in 1878.

Name	Rank and Organization	Date of Action	Citation Summary
Neil Bancroft	Private, Company A, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought water for the wounded under heavy fire.
Abram B. Brant	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought water for the wounded under heavy fire.
Thomas J. Callan	Private, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25–26, 1876	Obtained water for the wounded and assisted in driving away Indians.
Benjamin C. Criswell	Sergeant, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Rescued Lt. Hodgson's body, brought ammunition, encouraged men under heavy fire.
Charles Cunningham	Corporal, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Fought bravely despite being wounded, declined to leave the line.
Frederick Deetline	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire.
George Geiger	Sergeant, Company H, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Held a position securing water for the command with comrades.
Theodore W. Goldin	Private, Company G, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 26, 1876	Part of a party bringing water to the wounded under heavy fire.
Richard P. Hanley	Sergeant, Company C, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Recaptured a stampeded pack mule with ammunition under 20 minutes of fire.
David W. Harris	Private, Company A, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought water to the wounded at great danger under heavy fire.
William M. Harris	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire.
Henry Holden	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought up ammunition under heavy fire.
Rufus D. Hutchinson	Sergeant, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Guarded and carried the wounded, brought water, directed men under fire.
Henry W. B. Mechlin	Blacksmith, Company H, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Held a position securing water for the command with comrades.
Thomas Murray	Sergeant, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought up pack train and rations on the second day under heavy fire.
James Pym	Private, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Voluntarily went for water under heavy fire.
Stanislaus Roy	Sergeant, Company A, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought water to the wounded at great danger under heavy fire.
George D. Scott	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25–26, 1876	Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire.
Thomas W. Stivers	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25–26, 1876	Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire.
Peter Thompson	Private, Company C, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Brought water to the wounded, made two trips despite being shot through the head.
Frank Tolan	Private, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire.
Otto Voit	Saddler, Company H, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25, 1876	Held an exposed position with comrades, diverting fire for over 20 minutes.
Charles H. Welch	Sergeant, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25–26, 1876	Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire.
Charles Windolph	Private, Company H, 7th U.S. Cavalry	Jun 25–26, 1876	Held a position securing water for the command with comrades during the engagement.

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Custer's Dead Officers: First Lieutenant James Calhoun

 

On June 25, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, five companies of the U.S. Seventh Cavalry, under the direct command of George Armstrong Custer were wiped out.  Among the dead was:

First Lieutenant James Calhoun was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1845. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1864 . By the end of the Civil War, he held the rank of sergeant.

After the war, Calhoun accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry and served in the western territories.  He married Margaret “Maggie” Custer, sister of George Armstrong Custer, in 1872. This connection brought him into the inner circle of the so-called “Custer Clan.”

Calhoun was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Company C of the 7th U.S. Cavalry, which was commanded by Captain Tom Custer, George’s brother. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, Calhoun was acting commander of Company C, as Tom Custer was serving as aide-de-camp to his brother. Calhoun and his men made their last stand on what is now known as Calhoun Hill, where evidence suggests they fought fiercely before being overwhelmed.

He was initially buried on the battlefield. His remains were later moved to Fort Leavenworth

Calhoun was nicknamed “The Adonis of the Seventh” because of his striking appearance.

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Custer's Dead Officers: First Lieutenant William W. Cooke

 

On June 25, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, five companies of the U.S. Seventh Cavalry, under the direct command of George Armstrong Custer were wiped out.  Among the dead was:

First Lieutenant William W. Cooke, a Canadian who was the Regimental Adjutant and was known as "Queen's Own" Cooke.  Cooke was known for his long side whiskers that he always wore.

Cooke was awarded brevet promotions to captain, major and lieutenant colonel for this bravery during the Civil War.  He joined the Regular Army after the War and was made a second lieutenant in the 7^th Cavalry in 1866. 

In 1868 he participated in the Washita Campaign.  At the Battle of the Washita, Cooke, one of the best shots in the regiment, commanded forty sharpshooters.  Cooke’s men hid themselves on the northern side of the river and shot down Cheyenne fleeing Custer’s charge.  Chief Black Kettle and his wife Medicine Woman Later were killed by Cooke’s sharpshooters.

In 1871Cooke became the regimental adjutant reporting to Custer.  Cooke became a close friend of Tom Custer and became part of what was known as the Custer Gang, a close-knit group of Custer’s friends and relatives. 

The anti-Custer faction within the regiment, including Captain Frederick Benteen and Major Marcus Reno, began calling him “The Queen’s Own.”

On the day of battle at the Little Bighorn, June 25, 1876, Cooke was by the side of George Armstrong Custer.  He is remembered for writing Custer’s final orders to Captain Benteen: “Come On. Big village. Be quick. Bring packs. W.W. Cooke. P.S. Bring Packs”.

Cooke died alongside Custer. He was scalped twice, the second trophy being his side whiskers.  The Cheyenne warrior Wooden Leg claimed to have scalped the whiskers from one side of Cooke's face. He gave this trophy to his grandmother, who didn’t think much of it and discarded it two nights later at a victory dance.

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An American at the Battle of Waterloo

 

Though not in an official U.S. capacity, one notable American did fight at the Battle of Waterloo, Colonel William Howe De Lancey.  Born in New York City in 1778, De Lancey came from a prominent Loyalist family that fled to England after the American Revolution.  He later joined the British Army and rose to become chief-of-staff to the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars.

At Waterloo on June 18, 1815, De Lancey played a critical role in organizing troop movements and logistics.  Tragically, he was struck by a cannonball during the battle and died from his wounds a few days later.  His story became widely known due to a moving memoir written by his new bride, Magdalene Hall, who had joined him in Brussels shortly after their wedding and just before the battle.

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