--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Custer wrote, “I often think I would…" description: "\"“Custer wrote, “I often think I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people adhered to the free open plains rather than submit to the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg" --- # Custer wrote, “I often think I would greatly prefer to… ![“Custer wrote, “I often think I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people adhered to the free open plains rather than submit to the confined limits of a reservation, there to be the recipient of the blessed benefits of civilization, with its vices thrown in without stint or…” quote by Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg) > ““Custer wrote, “I often think I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people adhered to the free open plains rather than submit to the confined limits of a reservation, there to be the recipient of the blessed benefits of civilization, with its vices thrown in without stint or measure.”” [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Custer preferred freedom of the plains over the constraints of reservation life, despite its flaws. **In simple terms:** He chose freedom over restricted civilization. Key Takeaway Value authentic freedom over imposed comforts. Themes freedom choice cultural conflict Mood reflective critical Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - historical analysis - personal liberty debates - cultural preservation - policy making Key Concepts colonialism identity autonomy Questions to Reflect On - What does true freedom mean to you? - How do you balance cultural heritage with modern constraints? A Different Perspective Romanticizing “the plains” may overlook hardships faced there. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benefits Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefits-civilization-724320/) [Civilization Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-vices-724321/) [Custer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/custer/) [Custer Wrote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/custer-wrote-724319/) [Limits Reservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits-reservation-724322/) ## Related quotes > [If I were an Indian...I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people who adhere to the free open plains,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-armstrong-custer/if-i-were-an-indian-i-would-greatly-prefer-to-cast-my-lot-among-those/) [George Armstrong Custer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-armstrong-custer/) > [It is no longer possible to accept the benefits of civilization and at the same time deny the supernatural basis upon which it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/it-is-no-longer-possible-to-accept-the-benefits-of-civilization-and/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Civilization - and by this I do not mean talking cinemas and tinned food, nor even surgery and hygienic houses, but the whole moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/civilization-and-by-this-i-do-not-mean-talking-cinemas-and-tinned/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [“ I am torn between the freedom of this adventure and the benefits of civilization despite its constraints.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/i-am-torn-between-the-freedom-of-this-adventure-and-the-benefits-of/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [My belief is firm in a law of compensation. The true rewards are ever in proportion to the labor and sacrifices made. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/my-belief-is-firm-in-a-law-of-compensation-the-true-rewards-are-ever/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [The only difference between this and Custer's last stand was that Custer didn't have to look at the tape afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crisp/the-only-difference-between-this-and-custer-s-last-stand-was-that/) [Terry Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crisp/) > [“News of the disaster at Little Bighorn reached the Eastern Seaboard shortly after July 4, and not just any ordinary July 4 but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-vanderhaeghe/news-of-the-disaster-at-little-bighorn-reached-the-eastern-seaboard/) [Guy Vanderhaeghe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-vanderhaeghe/) > [“Grant refused to accept that. In a newspaper interview, he placed blame for the disaster squarely on Custer’s shoulders: I regard Custer’s massacre as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/grant-refused-to-accept-that-in-a-newspaper-interview-he-placed-blame/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [Custer is said to have boasted that he could ride through the entire Sioux Nation with his Seventh Cavalry, and he was half right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vine-deloria-jr/custer-is-said-to-have-boasted-that-he-could-ride-through-the-entire/) [Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vine-deloria-jr/) > [“What's it mean; are you determined To make modern all mankind? If so, you should be be-sermoned And brought back to healthy mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-c-abbott/what-s-it-mean-are-you-determined-to-make-modern-all-mankind-if-so/) [Charles C. Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-c-abbott/) > [We need more Democrats in the Senate -Like Custer needed more arrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-need-more-democrats-in-the-senate-like-custer-needed-more-arrows/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“Custer” by Slipknot”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-drake/custer-by-slipknot/) [J.L. Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-drake/) > [“Just across from Bismarck stood Fort Lincoln where friends and relatives of Custer’s dead cavalrymen still lived, and these emigrating Sioux could perceive such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-s-connell/just-across-from-bismarck-stood-fort-lincoln-where-friends-and/) [Evan S. Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) > [and then she asks me how many sexual partners I've had and I say one or two depending on your definition of what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/and-then-she-asks-me-how-many-sexual-partners-i-ve-had-and-i-say-one/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [“I expect Custer was crazy enough to believe he would win, being the type of man who carries the whole world within his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berger/i-expect-custer-was-crazy-enough-to-believe-he-would-win-being-the/) [Thomas Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berger/) ## More by Nathaniel Philbrick > [In the years to come, the combination of climate change and population growth could have a devastating effect on the planet and, needless to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/in-the-years-to-come-the-combination-of-climate-change-and-population/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“A Puritan believed it was necessary to venture back to the absolute beginning of Christianity, before the church had been corrupted by centuries of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/a-puritan-believed-it-was-necessary-to-venture-back-to-the-absolute/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [People think I live here on Nantucket and just gaze at the ocean, getting my inspiration. Not so. I work in my basement and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/people-think-i-live-here-on-nantucket-and-just-gaze-at-the-ocean/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“No matter how much the inhabitants might try to hide it, there was a savagery about this island, a bloodlust and pride that bound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/no-matter-how-much-the-inhabitants-might-try-to-hide-it-there-was-a/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“Living in the here and now, we are awash with sensations of the present, memories of the past, and expectations and fears for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/living-in-the-here-and-now-we-are-awash-with-sensations-of-the/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“In a letter hastily written to a friend in London, Cushman saw only doom and disaster ahead. “Friend, if ever we make a plantation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/in-a-letter-hastily-written-to-a-friend-in-london-cushman-saw-only/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [If you live on Nantucket, you can't avoid its history, and 'Moby Dick' is the way most of us get into Nantucket's history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/if-you-live-on-nantucket-you-can-t-avoid-its-history-and-moby-dick-is/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [As an author of narrative history, I read a lot of history books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/as-an-author-of-narrative-history-i-read-a-lot-of-history-books/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“Odd things happen in a battle, and the human heart has strange and gruesome depths and the human brain still stranger shallows;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/odd-things-happen-in-a-battle-and-the-human-heart-has-strange-and/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“The sperm whales' network of female-based family unit resembled, to a remarkable extent, the community the whalemen had left back home on Nantucket. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/the-sperm-whales-network-of-female-based-family-unit-resembled-to-a/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [Instead of being a page-turner, 'Moby-Dick' is a repository of American history and culture and the essentials of Western literature. The book is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/instead-of-being-a-page-turner-moby-dick-is-a-repository-of-american/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“Melville's example demonstrates the wisdom of waiting to read the classics. Coming to a great book on your own after having accumulated essential life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/melville-s-example-demonstrates-the-wisdom-of-waiting-to-read-the/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [One of the questions I face when working on a book about a historical event is whether I should visit the actual place that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/one-of-the-questions-i-face-when-working-on-a-book-about-a-historical/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [I'm a big Stephen King fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/i-m-a-big-stephen-king-fan/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“That Church according to Church is too brave, too cunning, and too good to be true is beside the point. America was destined to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/that-church-according-to-church-is-too-brave-too-cunning-and-too-good/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) [Explore all 74 Nathaniel Philbrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) ## More Custer quotes > [“I expect Custer was crazy enough to believe he would win, being the type of man who carries the whole world within his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berger/i-expect-custer-was-crazy-enough-to-believe-he-would-win-being-the/) [Thomas Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berger/) > [and then she asks me how many sexual partners I've had and I say one or two depending on your definition of what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/and-then-she-asks-me-how-many-sexual-partners-i-ve-had-and-i-say-one/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [“Just across from Bismarck stood Fort Lincoln where friends and relatives of Custer’s dead cavalrymen still lived, and these emigrating Sioux could perceive such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-s-connell/just-across-from-bismarck-stood-fort-lincoln-where-friends-and/) [Evan S. Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) > [“Custer” by Slipknot”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-drake/custer-by-slipknot/) [J.L. Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-drake/) > [We need more Democrats in the Senate -Like Custer needed more arrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-need-more-democrats-in-the-senate-like-custer-needed-more-arrows/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“What's it mean; are you determined To make modern all mankind? If so, you should be be-sermoned And brought back to healthy mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-c-abbott/what-s-it-mean-are-you-determined-to-make-modern-all-mankind-if-so/) [Charles C. Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-c-abbott/) > [Custer is said to have boasted that he could ride through the entire Sioux Nation with his Seventh Cavalry, and he was half right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vine-deloria-jr/custer-is-said-to-have-boasted-that-he-could-ride-through-the-entire/) [Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vine-deloria-jr/) > [“Grant refused to accept that. In a newspaper interview, he placed blame for the disaster squarely on Custer’s shoulders: I regard Custer’s massacre as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/grant-refused-to-accept-that-in-a-newspaper-interview-he-placed-blame/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“News of the disaster at Little Bighorn reached the Eastern Seaboard shortly after July 4, and not just any ordinary July 4 but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-vanderhaeghe/news-of-the-disaster-at-little-bighorn-reached-the-eastern-seaboard/) [Guy Vanderhaeghe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-vanderhaeghe/) > [The only difference between this and Custer's last stand was that Custer didn't have to look at the tape afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crisp/the-only-difference-between-this-and-custer-s-last-stand-was-that/) [Terry Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crisp/) > [“Angry white men are on the losing side of history, which is poised to roll over them like a demographic steamroller. Theirs is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-s-kimmel/angry-white-men-are-on-the-losing-side-of-history-which-is-poised-to/) [Michael S. Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-s-kimmel/) > [General Custer was a close observer and student of personal character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buffalo-bill/general-custer-was-a-close-observer-and-student-of-personal-character/) [Buffalo Bill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buffalo-bill/) > [When I joined Custer I donned the uniform of a soldier. It was a bit awkward at first but I soon got to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calamity-jane/when-i-joined-custer-i-donned-the-uniform-of-a-soldier-it-was-a-bit/) [Calamity Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calamity-jane/) > [Numerical superiority is of no consequence. In battle, victory will go to the best tactician."- G. A. Custer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/numerical-superiority-is-of-no-consequence-in-battle-victory-will-go/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Custer had dead heroes. Crazy Horse had only live ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/custer-had-dead-heroes-crazy-horse-had-only-live-ones/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) [Browse all 20 Custer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/custer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Custer wrote, “I often think I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people adhered to the free open plains rather than submit to the confined limits of a reservation, there to be the recipient of the blessed benefits of civilization, with its vices thrown in without stint or measure.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nathaniel Philbrick" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-greatly-prefer-to-cast-my-lot/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Custer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-greatly-prefer-to-cast-my-lot/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/025/nathaniel-philbrick-9218_custer_custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-great_2467475.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Custer wrote, “I often think I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people adhered to the…” — Nathaniel Philbrick", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nathaniel Philbrick", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Custer wrote, “I often think I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-greatly-prefer-to-cast-my-lot/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/custer-wrote-i-often-think-i-would-greatly-prefer-to-cast-my-lot/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```