Posted on 04/06/2005 4:47:10 AM PDT by LS
Freepers, I'm interested in the independent actions of George A. Custer at Little Big Horn and JEB Stuart from Brandy Station to Gettysburg on his "wild ride."
1) On Custer, I'd appreciate Freeper comments on Fox's book, "Archeology, History, and Custer's Last Battle" and "Lakota Noon." I've read the "standards: Stewart, Utley, and other older books. What do you think of Fox's "disintegration" theory? It does fit VERY well with Victor Hanson's model of western-style armies gaining their superiority from drill and discipline more than firepower (per se.) I'm especially interested in the following questions: a) did Custer exceed his orders? b) did Terry expect Custer to attack alone? c) is there ANY indication Terry knew Crook had turned back? d) what role did fatigue of Custer's men play in the defeat?
2) Please, without re-fighting the Civil War or its causes, I'm interested in Freeper comments on Jeb Stuart and his ride through PA, capturing the 125 wagons. I know Freeman's view (essentially blaming Stuart for denying Lee his "eyes," even though Freeman himself downplays this later). My questions are, a) in your opinion did Stuart exceed his orders? b) were his men too fatigued to fight even if they had arrived at Gettysburg earlier? c) how important was the Rummel Farm battle? (Was it, as one or two have said, the "key" to Lee's defeat at G-burg?)
Oh come on! Can't we please?? Where's WhiskeyPapa? Where's 4ConservativeJustices? Let's rumble :-P
Did you just watch "They died with their boots on" on TCM this morning? (Like I did?)
bump for later
"Both sought glory, not the success of their commander's mission."
Bump. Egos that were too big for their saddles.
Walt is a little tied up right now.
Sorry, I get nostalgic sometimes. Ever seen a movie called "Skin Game" with James Garner and Lou Gossett, Jr? It's from the 70s. Pretty funny flick set in the days of bloody Kansas. If you ever run across it, check it out.
No need to rumble, we're friends. Just a difference of opinion on an issue or two, but still conservatives ;o)
http://www.swcivilwar.com/StuartReportGett.html
J.E.B. Stuart's report of the Gettysburg Campaign
Captain R. E. Frayser's
Tribute to Jeb Stuart
http://www.swcivilwar.com/Stuart_FrayserTribute.html
"Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War" written by Newt Gingrich and military historian William
http://history.bookbest.com/node/united-states/gettysburg/942825.html
The Great Salt Lake Trail
http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/SaltLake/00000028.htm
I've seen 'Skin Game' - they attempt to con everybody!
What happened to Wlat? Haven't seen him around for a while.
The best analysis of whether Jeb Stuart exceeded his orders during his Gettysburg Campaign raid is Dave Powell's article in Gettysburg Magazine. Dave basically concludes that Stuart did NOT exceed his orders, that in fact Stuart exercised the discretion Lee's orders gave him. Whether Stuart should have gone off raiding is another question.
Custer and Stuart were both very able calvery officers as well as being brave men. It's very easy to judge military errors in retrospect. Custer's orders were vague, but Terry had enough confidence in Custer to let him decide for himself the best course of action to round up the Indians and prevent them from escaping.
Custer and Stuart died as brave soldiers in the service of their countries.
permanent vacation
Yes. I'd say this fits more with the "Lakota Moon" school than the Utley school.
My impression also was that both exceeded their orders, especially Custer. But I'm open to other evidence. The archeological evidence you speak of is in Fox's book---a very persuasive book.
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