Does Miles really refer to them as “battalions”. This was a cavalry regiment — more conventionally it would be divided into “squadrons”.
It’s a hit piece on Maj. Marcus Reno and Capt. William Benteen (Reno mostly). Yes, they made major mistakes during the engagement/campaign, but so did Custer.
The quotes supposedly from Indian participants are new to me (and I’ve studied this topic most of my life). They must come from interviews Gen. Miles had with participants. That’s the only conclusion I can reach. Most Indian accounts out there are individual accounts, and have to be read in that light. Otherwise they can be very confusing and misleading.
There are some other videos on the topic available through the link. Looks like a place to spend time at for Custer enthusiasts.
I’ve toyed with reestablishing my Little Big Horn website after a couple years offline. Maybe I’ll buy a GoDaddy domain and do that. I’ll have to get the maps finished, though. That’s been the biggest hangup.
Lt. Col. Custer took a small command with breech loading single shot carbines and split his forces against an enemy with long range repeating rifles.
The 7th Cavalry was a sitting duck against a force which out numbered them, outranged them, and could fire faster.
Crazy Horse & Sitting Bull were responsible.............
The star wars style text is very hard on the eyes.
There was an inquiry. It convened in Chicago, IL in early 1879. It was an inquiry into Maj. Marcus Reno's conduct during the battle (at his request). After extensive testimony he was exonerated from wrongdoing, although it also didn't find favor in his conduct. He left military service after a couple courts martial for behavior unbecoming an officer.
Reno definitely had a drinking problem (so did Capt. William Benteen, as well as many in the military at that time). Much of the animosity toward Reno stemmed from charges of his drinking before or during the engagement, although that was never proven.
Hever hear about the mural commissioned on the Battle of Little Bighorn?
The artist was a surrealist. He was asked to make a painting based on Custer’s observations about the battle. He did the work secretly, not letting anyone in while he was painting, and covering the wall when he was not.
No one saw it until it was unveiled. Then everyone was stunned. It had an image of a beautific looking cow in the center, topped by a halo and looking towards heaven. Around the cow were dozens, maybe hundreds of male and female pairs of Indians. Except for being Indians from North America, it could have been straight out of the Khama Sutra.
“What *is* this?” shouted the head of the institution. “We hired you to visually depict Custer’s words.”
“But that is what this is,” protested the artist. “My rendition of Custer’s last words. You know — ‘Holy Cow! Look at all those f’ing Indians!”
Of all of the battlefields I have visited in the US, Little Big Horn had the most impact on me, largely because it remains unchanged and unhemmed in by development. It remains on Crow land, although it is maintained by the national park service.
By touring the battlefield, it is easy to see how Custer was outflanked, on both the riverside and hillside. When you have fire coming from below and above you, and another group of mixed Indian light calvary coming on your left flank, it must have been readily apparent to every soldier on that battlefield that they were going to die that day.
Remember too, folks, that there is a good reason why Custer finished last in his class, was demoted, and considered pompous (yet brave) by those who served with him.
I happen to have nothing but respect for the bravery of all involved, both group fighting for noble causes: the Americans for pacifying territory that had been won and/or purchased, and the Indians for preserving their land and way of life.
—and Miles City, Montana was named for General Miles-—
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