. . . With Both Hands: Custer

June 25, 1876 - Reuters Dakota Territory

Native Americans are believed to have been provoked following a spontaneous demonstration against the incessant playing of "Garryowen*" by colonialist forces of occupation and some level of physical violence took place near the Little Bighorn River. (developing)

Department of the Interior and Indian Affairs Secretary Hillary R. Clinton - " The playing of an offensive and in fact racist cavalry tune has no place for the sympathies of this Administration."

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney - "Recent events in the Dakota Territory have absolutely nothing to do with . . . nothing to do with U.S. policy.”

June 26, 1876 Obama White House Press Room

Jay Carney -" It seems that Gen. Custer, in complete violation of U.S. Policy and glory hungry opponent of the enlightened and inclusive policies of President Ulysses S. Obama and a few of his troopers perished following an otherwise peaceful celebration of diversity by the combined communities of Sioux, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, and Arapaho people called in response to unfair housing and mortgage practices in Black Hills by private business interests."

June 27, 1876 Obama White House Rose Garden

President Ulysses S. "Sam" Obama - " It is with deep regret that a musical number adopted by renegade members of our armed forces as a provocative and racist psychological warfare tool caused the deaths of those troops. Make no mistake and let me be perfectly clear. I have made this a priority and I will focus on this matter with gas lamp clarity that no stone will go unturned or unnoticed until more is made of this matter. Thank you and God Bless America."

July 4, 1876 Obama White House Press Room

Jay Carney - " While we regret the deaths of Gen. Custer and a handful of others, let's not forget that . . ."

Jake Tapper -" Jay, the tribes were armed with repeating Henry and brand-new Winchester rifles, while defense cuts made by this Administration afforded only Spencer breech-loading . . ."

Jay Carney - "Jake, is there a question in there?"

( press pool laughter)

Jake Tapper - " Was this a planned attack by the tribes."

Jay Carney - " That is absurd, Jake. You know better than that. The President and Secretary Clinton have told the nation and the world that the repeated playing of Garryowen - an Irish tune adopted by colonialist Britain to provoke the communities of occupied Imperial India by the way - sparked spontaneous demonstrations and Ghost Dances only to be interrupted by the massive and intrusive presence of a few score members of the renegade batallion of the 7th Cavalry."

Jake Tapper -" So this was a massacre?"

Jay Carney -"Absolutely not! This was a spontaneous reaction to the repeated and offensive playing ofr Garryowen - that's all for today.

July 14, 1876 Obama White House Press Room

Jake Tapper - " Reports from Generals Crook and Terry in the Dakota Territory confirm that General Custer . . ."

Jay Carney - " Jake, he was Lt. Col. and the title General is an honorific."

Jake Tapper - " Custer was breveted . . ."

Jay Carney - " That was Lincolns Administration, Jake. President Obama gave him the rank of Lt. Col. and not General."

Jake Tapper - " I stand corrected. The reports indicate that repeating rifles used by the Native American Coalitions overwhelmed the troopers under Custer . . .because they were armed only with obsolete breech-loading Spencers resulting in their deaths. Moreso, Generals Terry and Crook report that every soldier was mutilated. Was this a massacre."

Jay Carney - " That is a gross over-statement, Jake, and I find that accusation misleading and frankly offensive. Custer was not mutilated. As to your question, brief as it was, Yes. It is self-evident that a massacre took place, as the President has said all along. No more Questions."

* "GARRYOWEN"

The Official Song of the 1st Cavalry Division

Click here to play Charge Click here to play Garryowen
Performed by the
1st Cavalry Division Band

"Garryowen" is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back to the early 1860's. In 1867, "Garryowen" was adopted by the 7th Cavalry Regiment as the official Air (tune) of the Regiment, and the historical nickname given to the 7th Cavalry Regiment and Troopers. It became the Official tune of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1981. "Garryowen" has become undoubtedly the most famous of all the regimental marches in the Army.

1st Cavalry Division Patch

The geographical area that provided the inspiration and the name of one of the most popular, rollicking folk songs of Ireland, is situated near the City of Limerick and located a half mile southeast of King John's Castle, on the upward slope of a hill at the end of Garryowen Road in Limerick County. Local traditions and folk lore have preserved the historical significance of the area and the origin of its name "Garryowen", a compound English word composed of two Irish words, Garrai (the Irish word for Garden) and Eoin (the Irish word for the name John, referencing King John's Castle - a local landmark at the bottom of the hill). The name Eoin, pronounced a "O-in" or "Oh-en", was later phonically transformed to "Owen" in the English language, thus allowing the two separate Irish words "Garrai" and "Eoin" to be translated into the single compound English word, written without the capital "O", as Garryowen.

The terrain features of the Garryowen provided a broad, commanding view of the richly cultivated surrounding countryside, the old town of Limerick and the valley of the Shannon River which gently washed the battered, fortified towers of King John's castle which was constructed in the late 1180's to control traffic along the river. The surrounding plot of ground soon became a favorite holiday resort with loyal patrons of citizens from near-by Limerick because the atmosphere and local accommodations were somewhat similar to those offered to the London mechanic by the Battersea tea-gardens.

A review of Irish literature reveals that Garryowen "became a general rendezvous for those who sought simple pleasure and amusement. The elderly drank together under the shade of trees and the young played ball, goal, or other athletic activities on the green; while a few lingered in the near-by hedge-rows with their fair acquaintances. Garryowen was soon to become as famous for scenes of strife as it was for mirth and humor; and broken arms, legs and heads became a staple article of manufacture in the neighborhood."

"These new diversions were encouraged by a number of young people having a greater supply of animal spirits than wisdom to control themselves. The young gentlemen being fond of wit, amused themselves by having parties at night to wring the heads off all the geese, and tearing knockers off the doors in the neighborhood. They sometimes suffered their genius to soar as high as the breaking of a street lamp, and even resorting to the physical violence of a watchman. But, this type of joking was found a little too serious to be repeated very frequently, for few achievements of so daring a violence were documented in the records. They were obliged to content themselves with less ambitious distinction of destroying door knockers and store-locks, annoying the peace of the neighborhood, with long continued assaults on the front doors, terrifying the quiet onlookers with every species of insult and provocation, and indulging their fratricidal propensities against all the geese in Garryowen."

"The fame of the 'Garryowen Boys' soon spread far and wide. Their deeds were celebrated by some inglorious minstrel of the day in that melody which has, since, resounded over the world; and even symbolically competed for national popularity with 'St. Patrick's Day'. A string of verses were appended to the tune which soon enjoyed equal notoriety. The name of Garryowen was as well known as that of the city of Limerick, itself, and Garryowen soon became almost a synonym for Ireland."

7th Cavalry Distinctive Unit Insignia

"Garryowen" is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song. As the story goes, one of the Irish "melting pot" Troopers of the 7th Cavalry, under the influence of "spirits", was singing the song. By chance Custer heard the melody, liked the cadence, and soon began to hum the tune to himself. The tune has a lively beat, that accentuates the cadence of marching horses, and for that reason was adopted as the regimental song soon after Custer arrived at Fort Riley, Kansas to take over command of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. It was the last song played for Custer's men as they left General Terry's column at the Powder River and rode into history.

During First Team ceremonies the song is not sung; however, it is customary for the song to be played at the conclusion of the activities and the guests stand and clap.

"Garryowen" was also the Regimental March of another famous fighting unit, The Royal Irish Regiment, that was organized in 1684 from the Irish Pikemen and Musketeers by the Earl of Granard to fight for Kink William. This regiment has seen service in all parts of the world. For their outstanding valor at the Battle of Namur, they received the title of "The Royal Regiment of Foot of Ireland". In addition, in recognition of its deeds on this occasion, King William conferred the right of displaying the badge of the Harp and Crown, and that of the Lion of Nassau, with the explanatory legend.

The Royal Irish showed noble courage and performed gallant service throughout the Crimean War. On their colors are inscribed "Egypt"; "China"; "Blenheim"; "Ramillies"; "Oudenarde"; "Malpaquet"; "Pegu"; "Savastopol"; "New Zealand"; "Afghanistan, 1879-80"; "Egypt, 1882"; "Tel-el-Kebir"; "Nile, 1884-85"'; "South Africa, 1900-02"; "Flanders, 1914"; and "Gallipoli, 1915." The Royal Irish Regiment was disbanded in 1922 on the formation of the Irish Free State.

One can only wonder how many of the former members of the Royal Irish Regiment emigrated to the United States and enlisted as Troopers of US Cavalry units. Could this have been how Custer heard this song?

Part of the mystery may be solved. The history of the 69th New York Infantry which reflects the history and progress of the Irish in America. From unwelcome immigrants escaping famine and persecution, they were assimilated and integrated into the society of America. Its ranks were filled with heroes, priests, poets, politicians, laborers, lawyers, in short a cross section of Ireland's greatest export - her sons.

69th Infantry Distinctive Unit Insignia

The "Fighting Sixty-ninth" had its origins in early 1851, when the Irish citizens of New York City formed a militia regiment known locally as the Second Regiment of Irish Volunteers. Unanimously, the group selected "Garryowen" as their official regimental marching song. On 12 October 1851, the Regiment was officially accepted as part of the New York Militia and designated as the Sixty-Ninth Regiment. In 1858, the Regiment would have its first call to duty. Their many subsequent calls to duty included the Civil War, Spanish American War, the Mexican War, World War I, World War II and most recently Operation Iraqi Freedom II where it was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division as part of the 39th Separate Infantry Brigade. Today it is officially known as the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry (Mechanized) and is part of the 42nd Infantry Division.

The Lyrics of the song are as follows:

"Garryowen"

[Verse 1]

Let Bacchus's sons be not dismayed,
but join with me each jovial blade,
come booze and sing and lend your aid,
to help me with the chorus:

"Chorus"

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale
and pay the reckoning on the nail,
for debt no man shall go to jail;
from Garry Owen in glory

[Verse 2]

We are the boys who take delight
in smashing Limerick lamps at night,
and through the street like sportsters fight,
tearing all before us. (Chorus)

[Verse 3]

We'll break windows, we'll break doors,
the watch knock down by threes and fours,
then let the doctors work their cures,
and tinker up our bruises. (Chorus)

[Verse 4]

We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
we'll make the mayor and sheriffs run,
we are the boys no man dare dun,
if he regards a whole skin. (Chorus)

[Verse 5]

Our hearts so stout have got us fame,
for soon 'tis known from whence we came,
where're we go they dread the name,
of Garry Owen in glory. (Chorus)

In 1905, there was a special set of lyrics written for the Troopers of the 7th Cavalry Regiment:

[Verse 1]

We are the pride of the Army
and a regiment of great renown,
Our Name's on the pages of History,
from sixty-six on down.
If you think we stop or falter
while into the fray we're going
just watch the steps with our head erect,
while our band plays Garryowen. (Chorus)

"Chorus"

In the Fighting Seventh's the place for me,
Its the cream of the Cavalry;
No other regiment ever can claim
Its pride, honor, glory and undying fame.

[Verse 2]

We know fear when stern duty
calls us far away from home,
Our country's flag shall safely o'er us wave,
No matter where we roam.
"Tis the gallant 7th Cavalry
it matters not where we are going"
Such you'll surely say as we march away;
and our band plays Garryowen. (Chorus)

[Verse 3]

The hurrah for our brave commanders!
Who led us into the fight.
We'll do or die in our country's cause,
and battle for the right.
And when the war is o'er,
and to our home we're goin
just watch your step, with our heads erect,
when our band plays Garryowen. (Chorus)

Reference: "From Custer to MacArthur, the 7th US Cavalry" and "1st Cavalry Division, A Spur Ride Through the 20th Century, 'From Horses to the Digital Battlefield" and from the Cavalry OutPost Publicationshttp://www.first-team.us.