Was Custer shot wounded early on?

[Alan Wellbelove]

Hi,

I visited the LBH in October last year, fulfilling a childhood ambition. Previously I had read much, watched the films, documentaries etc and thought I had a good understanding of the battle.

However, the visit left me with more questions than answers. Indeed I feel that I know less now than ever.

One conclusion that I came to was that Custer WAS wounded early on, probably at the rumoured attempted 'second' river crossing. I believe that if any other person had been wounded the battalion would have continued the attack, as Indian resistance here at this stage was still minimal, but as it was Custer himself they withdrew awaiting Benteen's arrival. I also believe that it was probably an indiscriminate shot - i.e. the Indians were generally firing at the attacking force and unaware who had been hit.

The bodies of Kellogg, Boston Custer, and Mitch Bouyer were all found? near deep ravine/ the river. I believe they were killed retreating from the river, NOT fleeing Last Stand Hill.

Finally I feel that the reason so many senior officers were killed on Last Stand Hill is because Custer HAD to have been dead or mortally wounded long before the end and there was now probably a collective and confused command structure - or the officers returned from their companies for fresh commands while the battle was still young and the command didn't appear to be in immediate danger. However, On their arrival at Last Stand Hill the situation quickly deteriorated and there was no possibility/point in returning to their individual companies.

Any thoughts/ideas?

Alan from England

[Steve Wilk]

_The Battle of Little Big Horn: A Comprehensive Study_ by Jack Pennington puts forth the theory of Custer shot early in the engagement. It would certainly explain the sudden collapse of tactical cohesion among the troopers. Others say no, that if this were the case then Lt. Cook, regimental adjutant, would have been found lying near Capt. Keough, the most senior captain,who would have assumed command. Personally I think this means nothing. Who knows what happened. This is the endearing thing about studying this battle...all the what ifs. One can imagine the shock and confusion among the men of the 7th upon seeing the famous Custer tumble from the saddle...perhaps that, like Pennington suggests, is when it all fell apart.

[shatonska]

Guest-Steve said:

_ Others say no, that if this were the case then Lt. Cook, regimental adjutant, would have been found lying near Capt. Keough, the most senior captain,who would have assumed command. .

if custer was hit at ford D , the second river crossing , cooke could not reach keogh ( already dead at the time coole retreated to the hill , maybe bouyer and other died retreating from ford D near deep coulee or they where part of the last fleing man form last stand hill , these are opinions not prouved ,
the mouvement from ford D are still logical whell comanded , i think custer was still alive , the movement to ford d was intended to search a way to attach the retreating families in the wait for benteen and packs , so it was logical to stop keogh with the main body to held the hill while searching for another ford , for me the problem was that indians where to hungry and resolute to hesitate and fought like never before , a great surprise for custer
i think lakota noon is the nearer to what really appened !