Post by markland on Jun 19, 2005 13:48:18 GMT -6
I began reading Hardorff's The Custer Battle Casualties last night while grilling-absolutely engrossing book!-and have several questions, amongst which is the topic of this thread.
The first question will necessarily call upon speculation to answer but here it is. W. Harrington was assigned to Co. L, yet his body was found on LSH. Was he assigned to HQ as a messenger, was he a survivor from the Calhoun Hill defeat or was he the last messenger from Calhoun? Any ideas?
Second. The accounts state that his body was unmutilated and covered with a blanket. Based upon past reading of the Fetterman battle, Metzger's (the bugler's) body was the only unmutilated body on that field and it was covered with a blanket or buffalo robe (sorry, can't remember which). In Metzger's case it is attributed to his bravery. In Harrington's case, it is speculated to his being known before his service by the Sioux. The first part of the question is if anyone knows enough of the NA, particularly Lakota, culture to offer any insight upon whether this was a common practice, i.e., covering the body of a foe to prevent desecration generally or was it only used to protect the body of a particularly courageous foe?
The second part of the question is if the Rafter account is correct in that Harrington was known prior to his enlistment; where and when did the supposed interactions take place? Harrington enlisted in 1872 at the age of 17 based upon the LBHA site but it doesn't state where the enlistment took place, in Ohio near his birthplace or somewhere else. Anyone have any ideas about this?
Sorry about being jumbled but the wife let me sleep in today-which unfortunately ruined all my plans for the darned day-so the ol' mind is skittering over what to do instead of hitting Ft. Leavenworth for the afternoon.
Happy Father's Day to you all,
Billy
P.S. Wouldn't it be a hoot if Walt has the right surname but the wrong person as the bravest man on the field?
The first question will necessarily call upon speculation to answer but here it is. W. Harrington was assigned to Co. L, yet his body was found on LSH. Was he assigned to HQ as a messenger, was he a survivor from the Calhoun Hill defeat or was he the last messenger from Calhoun? Any ideas?
Second. The accounts state that his body was unmutilated and covered with a blanket. Based upon past reading of the Fetterman battle, Metzger's (the bugler's) body was the only unmutilated body on that field and it was covered with a blanket or buffalo robe (sorry, can't remember which). In Metzger's case it is attributed to his bravery. In Harrington's case, it is speculated to his being known before his service by the Sioux. The first part of the question is if anyone knows enough of the NA, particularly Lakota, culture to offer any insight upon whether this was a common practice, i.e., covering the body of a foe to prevent desecration generally or was it only used to protect the body of a particularly courageous foe?
The second part of the question is if the Rafter account is correct in that Harrington was known prior to his enlistment; where and when did the supposed interactions take place? Harrington enlisted in 1872 at the age of 17 based upon the LBHA site but it doesn't state where the enlistment took place, in Ohio near his birthplace or somewhere else. Anyone have any ideas about this?
Sorry about being jumbled but the wife let me sleep in today-which unfortunately ruined all my plans for the darned day-so the ol' mind is skittering over what to do instead of hitting Ft. Leavenworth for the afternoon.
Happy Father's Day to you all,
Billy
P.S. Wouldn't it be a hoot if Walt has the right surname but the wrong person as the bravest man on the field?
