The authorities at Washington needed Custer. However, his view of the
case did not mean theirs. Custer believed in the mailed hand, and if
given the power he declared he would settle the Indian Question in
America once and forever. His confidence and assumption and what
Senator Dawes called swagger were not to their liking. Anyway, Custer
was attracting altogether too much attention—the people followed him
on Pennsylvania Avenue whenever he appeared.

General Terry was chosen to head the expedition against the hostile
Sioux, and Custer was to go as second in command.

Terry was older than Custer, but Custer had seen more service on the
plains. Custer demurred—threatened to resign—and wrote a note to the
President asking for a personal interview and requesting a review of
the situation.

President Grant refused to see Custer, and reminded him that the first
duty of a soldier was obedience.

Custer left Washington, glum and sullen—grieved. But he was a soldier,
and so he reported at Fort Lincoln, as ordered, to serve under a man
who knew less about Indian fighting than did he.

The force of a thousand men embarked on six boats at Bismarck. There a
banquet was given in honor of Terry and Custer. “You will hear from us
by courier before July Fourth,” said Custer.

He was still moody and depressed, but declared his willingness to do
his duty.