Frederick Benteen

Who was Frederick Benteen?

Frederick William Benteen was a military officer during the American Civil War and then during the Indian Campaigns and Great Sioux War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. Benteen is best known for being in command of a battalion of the 7th U. S. Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in late June, 1876.

While scouting the area, Captain Benteen received an urgent note from his superior officer George Armstrong Custer ordering him to bring up the ammunition packs and join him in Custer's surprise attack on a large Native American encampment. Benteen's failure to promptly comply is one of the most controversial aspects of the famed battle, which resulted in the death of Custer and the complete annihilation of the five companies of cavalrymen which comprised Custer's detachment.