C Troop Impressions of TWC?

[Tricia]

Does anybody have or know of any primary source material which reflects C company members' opinions of Captain Tom Custer's leadership skills/ability? I know that "C" had the highest rate of deserters in the Seventh--and I own both Roy Bird's and Carl Day's biographies of Tom Custer ...

Thanks--and Garryowen!
Leyton McLean

[Steve Wilk]

Enlisted men had little direct interaction with their company commanders. The primary authority figures for the private soldier were his sergeants; especially the first sgt. A tyrannical First Sgt. could often be the cause of a soldier taking "French leave" if he could not stand the torment. As for the desertion rate among Co. C: perhaps their location may have contributed if they were posted close to the gold fields for example. This was certainly the case while stationed in Dakota Territory. It's too bad there are so few enlisted men's accounts of army life on the frontier.

[crahrse]

At the LBH, I believe there were at least 7 members of C Company, commanded by Tom Custer, who ended up on Reno Hill and not mincemeat on Last Stand Hill. Some claimed their horses were worn out and Sgt. Kanipe was supposedly a "messenger" to the pack train. Since no one survived from Custer's command there was no one to say whether those men "deserted". More than likely, they did. What does that say about T. Custer and the loyalty and esprit de corps he inspired?

[tomthebomb]

It is a little odd that so many of C Troop ended up with Reno/Benteen rather than dead on Last Stand Hill. Did Tom Custer have the same reputation as a hard-a$$ as his brother and his men didn't feel he was worth fighting and/or dying for or was C Company made up of losers?

[bigpond]

a number from each company guarded the mules,this might be why some of C company where at Reno Hill when they eventually arrived.

[Steve Wilk]

Profile of C Company in June 1876: Commanded of course by Capt. Tom Custer; 1Lt James Calhoun (assigned to L Co at LBH; this troop held its skirmish line and, to use the British phrase, went to their God like soldiers) 2Lt Henry Harrington. First Sgt Edwin Bobo, Sgts August Finckle and Jeremiah Finley all KIA; other two Sgts were Kanipe and Hanley (later awarded MOH for retreiving ammo laden mule under heavy fire) Corporals Foley, French and Ryan all KIA.

Forty-four of the company's fifty privates were present on the day of the battle. Twenty six were KIA, five wounded. Twenty three survived, mainly those detailed to guard the pack train.

The likely reason so many were on pack detail is that C company, second only to B Co. (which was detailed as pack train escort) was composed of 39 pct "recruits"; ie men with less than one year's service. B's percentage of recruits was 43%. Among C's NCOs 40% were veterans of five or more years. This tied C with I and L cos. All other troops had higher pcts in this category; F Co. for example, had 80% of its NCOs and 42% of its privates with more than five years service. F was a veteran troop, C was not.

In fairness to Tom Custer, 'espirit de corp" is cultivated over time and forged through combat. Forty pct of the troop had not served even a year and those same guys had seen no combat, much less a hostile Indian. As far as desertions; I would guess a soldier would be more likely to skip out early in his enlistment as opposed to waiting till the fourth year of a five year hitch.

[Walt Cross]

Company C was under the direct command of Lt. Henry Moore Harrington during the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Capt. Tom Custer was serving as his brother's aide that day. Lt. Harrington was the most experienced subaltern in the 7th Cavalry and was due for promotion soon. He had participated in the Black Hills exploration and the Yellowstone campaign of 1873 where he served under Capt. Verling Kersey Hart a Civil War veteran and brevet Colonel. Harrington learned a good deal under Hart who later (after promotion to major) commanded a battalion of 5th Cavalry in the Sioux War.

Company C made a mounted charge against warriors holding Greasy Grass Ridge to relieve pressure against Co L's right flank. If the Co L soldiers went to their God like soldiers, so did Co C. When Co L collapsed under pressure and lack of ammunition (they had been in contact with the Indians longer than any other company in Custer's battalion) Lt. Harrington withdrew Co C in a fairly disciplined manner (except they had lost their horses all but the good Lt.).

Harrington guided his small company in their retreat protecting them from horseback with pistol fire as he followed them. During this withdrawal he personally shot and killed two warriors in close combat before being shot out of his saddle. Lightly wounded, he regained his mount and led the remnants of the company to Last Stand Hill.

Company C solders were, naturally, lost along the way to LSH, that is why they are scattered along the line of retreat, two sgts on the way back to Calhoun Hill, and 1st Sgt Bobo at Calhoun Hill and etc.

At LSH Harrington led the last attempt at a breakout. During this flight of at least 5 horsemen, Nathanial Short of Co C got away to the north and died almost a day's ride away from LBH near the junction of the Yellowstone and Redbud Rivers.

Harrington rode south and east pursued by 5 to 7 warriors. Among these warriors were two sons of Inkpaduta (Red Tips, Bloody Antlers) named Gray Earth Track (also known as Noisy Walker, not to be confused with Noisy Walking) and White Earth Tracking, both Santee Sioux.

Harrington rode anywhere from 7 to 15 miles away from LBH before the Indians closed in and he struggled with the two Santee, mortally wounding one before being killed himself with a gunshot to the head.

I hear you all saying how can he say all this? Because I wrote the book. You can see it here: bronzestar.tripod.com/7thuscavalrycusterslostofficer/

[Walt Cross]

I recently planted a couple of Redbud trees. Of course I meant Rosebud River.

Walt

[KarlKoz]

Walt-
Is your book now available?
Your web site says expected publication date of January 2005.
Thanks.

[Steve Wilk]

If Harrington rode south (toward the river and village?) and then east, why did he not attempt to find refuge on Reno Hill? He certainly knew the rest of the regiment was engaged there. Or did his avenue of escape take him away from Reno's men? Seems odd that he would not seek safety there, and odd as well that a few Indians would bother to pursue him for up to fifteen miles when there were over two hundred other soldiers to kill and count coup upon so close by. I
am interested in how you developed your scenario; where can one find the book?

[Walt Cross]

I had intended to publish the book myself and set the date for January. However, an inquiry to a publisher resulted in an invitation to submit the manuscript for consideration. I sent it to them in December, the process is not a quick one. Meantime I continue preparing for possible self publication should this effort bear no fruit.

Harrington left LSH at the very end, the Indian narration states this last "breakout" attempt came after Custer's death, although other researchers say the Indians did not know when Custer died. Regardless, Harrington was trying to get to Reno by riding South, but pressure from the warriors drove him east. He was well acquainted with the Rosebud River area he had scouted it with Reno while commanding Co C just days before. Terry's supply train at the Tongue River was in that direction. The Indians pursued him because he was one of the last if not the last soldier alive. He was also riding a very attractive and powerful steed. The Indian narrative indicates they considered letting him go to "tell the story" however, he was cut off by at least one warrior coming from a different angle. This warrior was likely one of Inkpaduta's sons.

If you are unfamiliar with Inkpaduta he led the Santee uprising in Minnesota during the Civil War and was the leader of an outlawed (by the other Santee) band of Santee. They had traveled west to join Crazy Horse's band.

Walt

[Walt Cross]

Anyone who would like to be placed on the list for notification when the book is available may email me at: [e-mail]

Walt Cross

[custerstillstands]

"At the LBH, I believe there were at least 7 members of C Company, commanded by Tom Custer, who ended up on Reno Hill "

These people were escorting the pack train. No desertion at all. 7 members of each company were selected to escort the mules.

[Walt Cross]

You are correct. Also, a few others, up to three or four had their horses give out on them and they turned back.

One point, Tom was not in command of Co C and had not been for some time. Harrington led them on the Reno Scout and was still in command at the battle. Tom was aide-de-camp to George during the fight. In fact, there are indications that Tom and George had a serious disagreement over the conduct of the assault on the Sioux, so much so that Tom may have been beside him that day instead of in command of Co C as a "punishment" for stating his views. This interpretation comes from an impression the Indian Scout Red Star had gotten the night Custer struck out for the Crow's nest. Some historians say it was only George joking with Tom, but...maybe not. There was also a remark made by Custer earlier the same day when he said he would not tolerate any "Grumbling" from his officers. (Page 239 "Harvest of Barren Regrets" by Charles K. Mills.

Walt

[custerstillstands]

We know that Custer was angry against Tom after Calhoun and him follow the General to Crows Nest.

And for the tired horses, remember the sentence by Custer to Koegh : "Koegh, the Indians are fleeing, we must chase them immediately and we wouldn't have to sacrifice half the horses of the command"

Do you have the name of the 4 people who escaped from Company C ?

And what about the 10 of Company F ?