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Post by crzhrs on Nov 9, 2004 17:03:34 GMT -6
Reno has been accused of drinking during his charge, fallback to the timber, his stand in the timber, and his "re-charge" during his attack on the Indian village.
If Reno was acting in a manner unbecoming to an officer why didn't another officer relieve him of duty?
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Post by bt on Nov 9, 2004 17:10:54 GMT -6
Drinking by Reno has been used by pro-Custer supporters for years and continues to this day. Reno's decision to halt his attack was based on one of two things: fear or the stark realization that going any further would have been suicide for his command.
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Post by Walt Cross on Nov 11, 2004 15:26:21 GMT -6
I agree. If Reno was drinking it was probably after his engagement with the Indians. His problem was temerity. Had he continued on into the village as ordered, things could very well have turned out quite differently for the 7th Cavalry. Many warriors opined after the battle that had he pushed his attack Custer would have had the victory he so hungered for.
Walt
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Post by El Crab on Nov 12, 2004 0:27:27 GMT -6
He was relieved, unofficially. Benteen took over, for all intents and purposes. Whether it had anything to do with drinking, you'd have to ask Marcus Reno. Good luck with that.
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Post by crzhrs on Nov 12, 2004 12:46:29 GMT -6
I doubt Reno would have gotten very far into the village. While non-coms were running, warriors were not. They were creating a diversion by riding around, kicking up dust, and making noise. If Reno continued, the warriors may have come out to engage him but they did not counter until Reno stopped and formed skirmish lines and even then the warriors turned his flank thus forcing Reno to fall back into the timber.
Most of Reno's men later said Reno's decision to stop was the right thing to do. Whether that was out of loyalty or covering one's rear is open to debate.
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Post by shatonska on Nov 12, 2004 14:19:18 GMT -6
he had to stop the charge , but leaving the trees was the big mistake , he knew other battalions where near , he coul resist easily a coupple of hour , i can understand the fear of a possible fire set to the trees by the indians maybe later, but in that moment he had been maybe drunk but a very bad soldier if not a coward !
the blame is on custer because he was the leader , but reno and benteen behaviour was the greatest help for the indians that day
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Post by grayxray on Nov 12, 2004 19:42:37 GMT -6
In those days everybody, including the President, drank on the job -- big deal
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Post by Paul Kahnert on Dec 31, 2004 12:19:31 GMT -6
I'm glad this question was asked. Alcohol was a big problem of the time. Benteen wasn't the only one that was drinking. Many of the soldiers had filled their canteens with whiskey at the last outpost. Indian accounts tell of men staggering as they got off their horses.
Alcohol was also a major contributor the the massacre at Wounded Knee.
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