Were you surprised by the Indians' respect for Custer as a warrior? Did this change your perception of him?

When Golden Buffalo's chief asks him what kind of a man Custer is, he answers, "He is a warrior. He has the heart of an Indian." Were you surprised by the Indians' respect for Custer as a warrior? Did this change your perception of him?

I was not surprised by the Indians' recognition of Custer's bravery and skills. What surprised me was the admiration and understanding that Custer had for the Indians and their way of life. Unfortunately, as he said, he had a job to do.

I wasn't surprised given how respected warriors were by the tribes but it didn't change my perception of him. It's difficult to respect someone who played such a large part in forcing Native Americans onto reservations.

Not at all,he was in there eyes another warrior!

Not all Native American tribes were war-like but many of the Western Plains tribes were, so it was not surprising that they would respect him for that reason.

I believe that the Indians respect for Custer as a warrior was mitigated by their hate for what he was doing. My perception of Custer, as I've stated previously, is that he was 'following orders'. He lacked his own north star and had no defined moral center. He was a narcissist and filled with hubris.

I think that is was a fact of life, particularly for the Plains Indians, that fighting was an integral part of their being. They knew that their survival was dependent in many ways in their being able to subdue other tribes who encroached on their territory in competition for food. They needed large numbers of ponies so that they could pursue the buffalo in order to feed the people who depended on them. Warriors were the most revered of the Plains Indians- -just thinking of the ceremony that preceded the men before they left on a mission. I think it is natural that the Plains Indians would admire/respect those characteristics in others, including their enemies. A person can be respected, but still not liked. And just because the Indians found him to be a worthy opponent, my opinion of Custer did not change. Think of the potential he squandered by looking for that next glowing moment of fame, rather than becoming an ally and advocate for the Indians.

No, I was not surprised by their respect for him as a warrior. They had great respect for anyone that showed courage. And it didn't change my perception of him. I fully accept that during the Civil War and then in the Indian Wars he was a brave leader, but that sometimes put him and his troops in precarious positions, which finally came to a bad outcome at Little Big Horn.