Mystery Files

Sitting Bull (2x10)

Air date: Jun 10, 2011

In 1890 newspaper headlines read “Custer’s murderer is dead”. The papers tell of the killing of the man who stood in the way of civilisation. Such is the legend of Sitting Bull: the great chief who defied the US authorities and led the American Indians in the biggest massacre of US soldiers throughout the fight for the west. But this is just one of the myths that have built up around the Battle of Little Bighorn. The battle wasn’t part of an American Indian offensive, but a response to aggression from the US Government. Custer’s men lost thanks to the greater Indian firepower and their guerrilla tactics. Most extraordinary of all, Sitting Bull didn’t murder Custer…he didn’t even take part in the battle. He stayed with the women and children, guiding them to safety.