INTO THE VALLEY OF DEEP SHADOWS

Created in 1995, Opening Price – $5,200 / Closing Price – $19,900

On June 24, 1876 General Custer led his regiment along Rosebud Creek to Bivouac about 25 miles east of the Little Bighorn Valley. Following reports of an Indian trail going across the divide, he hoped to surprise with a dawn attack.

It is this nighttime push that Vic Payne is depicting in this bronze sculpture. The title of this piece, “Into the Valley of Deep Shadows”, comes from the Twenty Third Psalms of David: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me…”

Custer rides confidently, secure as always in the right of his duty, fearing no evil. The cavalryman and the scout, perhaps in some anxiety from reports of the size of the Indian forces in the area, ride behind him cautiously. It is known that Custer’s hair was cut short before this last campaign. None of his men or officers were in full uniform. Custer wore a buckskin suit with “frontier fringe” and a broad brimmed hat. Neither he nor his men carried their sabers, we can only speculate to lessen the noise of their advance.

Custer leans eagerly forward on his horse “Vic”. The cavalryman behind him could be his youngest brother Boston, carrying the distinctive Custer guidon. He is followed by Custer’s longtime Indian Scout, Bloody Knife, a member of the Crow tribe and bitter enemy of the Sioux. All would die the next day.