◆ Introduction ◆
In order to be successful, an alternate history novel has to be plausible, accurate, and relevant. While plausibility and accuracy are more or less self-explanatory, relevancy might not be. For instance, had I studied harder in high school (or at all when I first started college) my life might have turned out significantly different, although not necessarily for the better. The world, however, would have neither noted nor long remembered my changed efforts, to misuse Lincoln’s immortal words at Gettysburg.
Thus, I had always felt that if George Armstrong Custer had somehow survived his very bad day at the Little Big Horn, the world wouldn’t have given it—or him—a second thought. Like many old soldiers, Custer would have simply faded away, eking out an existence on his miserable pension. In sum, not much would have happened to change the world had he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
But would that really have been the case?
First, victory over the Sioux was always within his grasp. He underestimated his enemy and had foolishly split his forces. And he also had a pair of Gatling guns that he refused to take with him because he felt they would slow him down. This was a problem that could have been solved simply by using decent horses to pull them instead of the sickly nags he did use. My own feeling is that he didn’t want to bring the Gatlings because they weren’t glamorous enough for the hard-charging Seventh Cavalry.
Second, Custer and his wife Libbie were ambitious to a fault. They also loved each other deeply. The very lovely Libbie Custer was far more cunning and politically attuned than he, and, after getting a medal for his heroic achievements in defeating the Sioux, I believe she would have urged him to run for the presidency in 1880 as the Republican nominee. With her backing and conniving, he would likely have won.
And how lovely was Libbie? Photographic technology of the period often resulted in people looking stark and severe, and this is the case with most photos of Libbie. However, there are a few that can be viewed on the internet in which she looks absolutely stunning and sensual.
What would have happened to the United States if he, the nation’s newest war hero, had won that election?
Custer was no dummy. He had graduated from West Point and had risen in rank through his courage and his abilities to become a very young brigadier general in the Civil War. Nor was he a coward. His exploits in battle prove that he was brave. He was, however, headstrong, impetuous, and heartily disliked by many of his peers. What mischief would President George Armstrong Custer have brought us? In my opinion, Custer would have gone looking for another war not just to get reelected for a second term, but make him a major historical figure and not just a peacetime caretaker. I think he would have found peacetime very boring.
One historical note: What we now call the White House was called a number of things back then. The term “White House” was just beginning to become common. I have used it for simplicity’s sake.