Chapter 29

The government tries to buy the Black Hills, but they won't meet the Indians' price. So they order all Sioux to confine themselves to their reservation, promising to attack any who stay out. Sitting Bull refuses to come in. Broke in New York, Custer agrees to go on the lecture circuit. With Custer's help, James Gordon Bennett and the Democrats reveal that Grant's brother Orville and Secretary of War Belknap have been selling Army traderships for private graft. At Bennett's suggestion, to make some money Custer buys railroad stock on margin. There is a margin call, and Custer is ruined.