The Mary Adams controversy

The controversy that proved General Miles was right
MAR(IA) ADAM'S AFFIDAVIT
Maria Adams was Custer's black servant, like Eliza (in the picture) before her.

 After the battle of the Little Bighorn, General Terry stated that Custer had disobeyed orders. Many military officers pointed out that his written orders were clearly giving Custer "carte blanche", but the story went on. 
In 1898, when General Miles published his Memoirs, he added the testimony of "Mary Adams", Custer's black servant at the Little Bighorn. Adams had heard General Terry himself telling Custer, on the night of June 21, that he could follow his own judgment if he found Indians.

Colonel Graham, in his book "The Custer Myth", said that Miles was lying, because Mary Adams had never existed. There wasn't any "Mary Adams" who was following Custer. This controversy became known as the "Mary Adams affidavit", used to discredit US General in chief Miles, who was accusing Captain Benteen and Major Reno of betrayal.
 
But General Miles wasn't lying. Recent studies showed that MARIA Adams, Mary's sister, was following Custer at Little Bighorn. It was her testimony that Miles had heard and put in his book.
 
The whole story had been true since the beginning.

LITTLE BIGHORN CAMPAIGN