Benteen fought with bravery and distinction during the Civil War and remained in the army after the war’s conclusion in 1865. Seeing baseball as an excellent tool for physical conditioning and team building, he was quick to promote the game at any opportunity that arose.
The 7th Cavalry had long had a love of baseball. George Custer's brother, Captain Tom Custer - a two-time Medal of Honor recepient - was known as the best pitcher in the Union Army, and in addition to Benteen’s team the 7th also fielded a team representing Company E, and the Actives representing Company L
Between 1873 and 1875, the Benteens played baseball whenever military duties permitted. When the 7th Cavalry was rushed east to New Orleans to help quell a race riot in the fall of 1874, the Benteens made sure to pack their equipment and found time for games with other army teams stationed nearby. During those years they played 17 games against military and civilian teams, winning 12 and outscoring their opponents, 464 to 230.
In 1875, the 7th Cavalry was posted to Fort Randall on the Missouri River at the border of the Dakota Territory and Nebraska. In July they were sent to the Black Hills to remove gold prospectors who were trespassing on Sioux reservation land. While there, the Benteens had time for a game, beating some local teamsters, 25-11.
Playing for the Benteens during this time were second baseman William “Fatty” Williams, who had already signed a professional contract with the independent barnstorming Alleghenies club of Pittsburgh, and First Sergeant Joseph McCurry, who was due to be discharged in 1877 and expected to receive a contract to play professional baseball at that time.
7th Cavalry Regiment – Benteen Base Ball Club (1873 to 1876)
(Known Players)
Cptn. Frederick Benteen
1/Sgt. Joseph McCurry (P)
Pvt. William “Fatty” Williams (2B)
Cpl. Alex Bishop (P)
Sgt. Charles Bishop (Utility)
Pvt. William Davis (3B)
Cptn. Andrew Burt (SS)
The last game the Benteens played was on September 8, 1875 at Fort Randall against the 1st Infantry. The Benteens lost, 12-7. The 7th Cavalry then moved its garrison post to Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hills country, to protect Northern Pacific Railroad workers. On May 17, 1876, Lt.Col. Custer and 1,200 troopers left Fort Abraham Lincoln on another expedition westward, this time to quell an Indian uprising in Montana.
On June 25, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in eastern Montana Territory, Lt. Col. Custer led 700 men of the 7th Cavalry against the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. Benteen was responsible for protecting Custer’s left flank and later that day he received an urgent note from Custer ordering him to bring up the ammunition packs and join him in his surprise attack on a large Native American encampment.
Along the way Benteen's command met up with a battalion led by Major Marcus Reno. They were defending a hilltop against a vast number of Sioux. Benteen chose to help Major Reno rather than continue his journey to support Custer and during a 24-hour defensive fight was able to hold off the onslaught.
Meanwhile, Custer - along with 267 other men - were at what is now known as the Battle of Little Big Horn (or Custer's Last Stand). Among the dead were his brother Tom Custer and third baseman Private William Davis, on loan to Captain Myles Keogh's Company C. Pitcher Alex Bishop and his brother Charlie, were wounded, as were team captain and pitcher Joseph McCurry (wounded in the shoulder) and Fatty Williams, ending their hopes of playing professional baseball.
The Benteen Base Ball club never played another game after Little Big Horn. Benteen himself would be criticised for not trying to get to Custer quicker although his decision to make a defensive position with Reno probably saved the rest of the 7th Cavalry from slaughter. He retired from the army in 1888, and passed away in Atlanta, Georgia in 1898.
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