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To: An Old Marine
I question this "change of tactics." Just previously, a battle where we have considerable evidence from both sides, Crook and Crazy Horse fought to a draw. Not a lot were killed on either side. But there were no reports whatsoever of Cheyenne using anything other than typical plains Indians tactics. Nor, afterwards, in any of the remaining skirmishes with Sitting Bull's forces, were they any reports of "volleys."

Moreover, it is utterly incomprehensible that the Indians would develop such a western European tactic virtually overnight, then only use it one time. Such a tactic took months of training, and even Muslim armies, well acquainted with it, never mastered it.

38 posted on 02/15/2008 7:29:14 PM PST by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of News)
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To: LS
I must disagree.

Two points fairly recently several archeologist found a line of spent shells along the military crest of the ridge. of course there were only a few hundred of the shells which holds with the volleys.

Regrading the abilities of the Sioux/Cheyenne: Nonsense.

By 1880 several dozen memberss of the Sioux nation, not to mention Cheyenne, had served with the south (and Union to a lesser extent) during the war. Don't you think they brought anything home? They are hardly Muslims. Secondly the Southern Cheyenne had a larger number of the Dog Society however the Northern by that time had absorbed a number of southern Cheyenne. I submit personnel evidence. My great grandfather as well as a great uncle were Dog Soldiers and one of them fought Custer. That same great uncle fought at Peabody Ridge and Vicksburg and appears on Confederate unit rolls. And he was not alone.

Further there is this - my experience. 38 years (off and on) as a Marine will tell you that the only way irregular troops (and Injuns were irregular) could win this fight was through surprise and firepower. There are 5 separate narative accounts of volley fire that I am aware of. Further it fits. Breaking the spam pf control and cohesion of the unit is the only way the Sioux/Cheyenne could have won that day.

Besides do you really expect me to doubt the word of my grandfather....

39 posted on 02/15/2008 8:47:19 PM PST by An Old Marine (Freedom isn't Free)
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