1 9 6 7 (USA)
17 x 60 minute episodes
In Kansas in 1867, Major General George Armstrong Custer of the US Cavalry is found guilty of dereliction of duty, reduced in rank to Lieutenant Colonel and sent to Fort Hays, where he is put in charge of the Seventh Labor Battalion.
Custer (Wayne Maunder) refuses to treat his Company C as a work detail and trains them until, after months of endurance, his squad is recognised as The Fighting Seventh.
Stories depict Custer’s exploits in Indian affairs, and his personal conflict with Crazy Horse, the Sioux Indian Chief.
The series lacked historical accuracy (but not authenticity) and although the roster of guest stars was excellent – including Robert Loggia, Ray Walston, Darren McGavin, Rory Calhoun, Agnes Moorehead and James Whitmore – the show was eventually cancelled because of studio concerns over the violent nature of the combat shown in the episodes.
Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer
Wayne Maunder
California Joe Milner
Slim Pickens
General Alfred Terry
Robert F. Simon
Sgt. James Bustard
Peter Palmer
Chief Crazy Horse
Michael Dante
Trooper Rio
Hick Hill
Captain Myles Keogh
Grant Woods
