Charley Reynolds facts for kids
"Lonesome" Charley Reynolds (born March 20, 1842 – died June 25, 1876) was a skilled scout for the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment. He was known for his amazing marksmanship and his ability to survive in the wilderness. Charley Reynolds was killed during the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn in what is now Montana. He had also worked as a scout with the famous Buffalo Bill.
Early Life and Adventures
Charles Alexander Reynolds was born in Warren County, Illinois. His father was a doctor. When Charley was a teenager, his family moved to Kansas. He went to Abingdon College for a short time. In 1860, he left college to join the Union Army during the American Civil War.
After the war, people started calling him "Lonesome" Charley Reynolds. This was because he often moved from one state to another. He also kept many details about his life private. He took on many different jobs. For example, in 1865, he was a trader. In 1866, he hunted buffalo. He was always on the move.
A Scout for Custer
Reynolds became a hunter and a guide. He met George Armstrong Custer in 1869. Soon after, he became a scout for Custer's U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment. This was a very important job. Scouts helped the army find their way and understand the land.
In 1874, Charley Reynolds played a key role during Custer's 1874 Black Hills Expedition. During this trip, gold was discovered. Reynolds was chosen to carry important messages all by himself. He took these messages to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. These messages made the discovery of gold public knowledge.
The Battle of Little Bighorn
The night before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Charley Reynolds felt very uneasy. He had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. He even gave away some of his personal belongings to other soldiers. As they rode towards the Native American village before the battle, Reynolds felt very sad. He said he had never felt so discouraged in his life.
Charley Reynolds was later killed during the battle. Some stories say he was bravely defending a doctor. This doctor was trying to help a wounded soldier. His body was buried right on the battlefield. A simple mark showed where he fell. Later, a white marble slab was placed to mark the spot. This was done for all the soldiers and civilians who died with Custer. His remains, along with his comrades, were later moved. They were reburied on Custer Hill. A tall stone obelisk now stands there to remember all those who died.
