Blog number 10

I've been hunting around for inspiration for the next short story and I came across a man called William Moodie. 

William Moodie was born in Edinburgh in 1841 and may have had an occupation as a 'coachman.'  He emigrated to America and after a spell in New York enlisted in the US cavalry. At a recorded height of  5 feet 6 1/2 inches he would have been the perfect size for the cavalry of that time. He joined the 7th cavalry, then stationed in Lexington Alabama on 6th February 1875 and was listed as a Trumpeter (bugler).  By now you may have a sense of where this is going.

He formed part of Major Reno's attack on the Little Big Horn encampment ( 25th June 1876) and was killed in the retreat of Reno's command across the river to the bluffs. His remains suggest he had been shot in the forehead and scalped.

When I initially read about William Moodie I though it might make a good tale, perhaps I'd change the name etc.  Then it seemed such a sad and ironic way to die. Emigration, full of hope, like many Scots of that time to the land of opportunities only to end up as part of one of the most infamous "battles" in modern history. And unlucky enough not to walk away from it afterwards.  As a story it's not got much scope for an uplifting ending so I decided it wasn't suitable. 

I've been interested in the Battle of the Little Big Horn for years.  Whatever else one thinks about George Armstrong Custer when you delve beyond his story, subtler tragedies rise to the surface. Poor William Moodie. Doubly so as many of Reno's command survived.