|
Post by ephriam on Mar 22, 2006 20:11:51 GMT -6
Does anyone know if Walter Camp's interview with Captain Myles Moylan has been published? I can't find it in the books by Hammer, Hardorff or Liddic & Harbaugh.
Has anyone written a biographical essay on Moylan?
Thanks!
ephriam
|
|
Gumby
Full Member
Posts: 202
|
Post by Gumby on Apr 11, 2006 17:08:41 GMT -6
Ephriam, I don't remember seeing anything except for his Reno Court testimony. Moylan would be an excellent character study for a biographical essay. Hopefully, someone will do it soon. Alas, I have no talent for biographies nor the time to research it properly for another three or four years. Great question!
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Aug 13, 2006 11:56:48 GMT -6
There are some quotes from a couple of Moylan's letters following the battle in Frost's General Custer's Libbie, with some information of interest.
|
|
|
Post by Hostler on Sept 9, 2006 10:11:04 GMT -6
There is this writeup about Moylan on the Moylan family website, contributed by a Ken Moylan. There is not very much out there on the INTERNET about Myles Moylen that I have been able to find. I'm tying to find out about who Curt Allen is.
Myles Moylan born Dec 17 1838 died Dec 11 1909. Captain Myles Moylan fought with Custer at the battle of Little Bighorn, and is one of the few men that survived.
Curt Allen has done extensive research on Myles Moylan contributed the following:
He was a member of the 2nd Dragoons under Lt. Col. Philip St. George Cooke in 1857 (shortly after his enlistment) when the regiment came to Utah Territory to subdue the "Mormon Rebellion"... Then he is listed in Heitman as being in the 5th Cav. and at Gettysburg as a 2nd Lt., then dismissed (one source says for being in Washington DC without permission). He enlists under an assumed name and works his way up again until the end of the war when he again enlists in his own name and goes through the major campaigns of the Indian wars with the 7th Cav.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has a book titled Men With Custer by Kenneth Hammer. It included biographies of all the officers in the 7th Cavalry at the time of the Little Bighorn battle. Of Moylan, it says he was born 17 December 1838 in Amesbury, Mass., the son of Thomas and Margaret Riley Moylan. He enlisted at Essex as a private in Company C of the 2nd Dragoons on 8 June 1858. It has details of his service He died in San Diego 11 December 1909. This book had a nice portrait of Moylan made in pen and ink from the National Archives photo.
The Utah State Historical Society library, has a book The Medal of Honor, its History and Recipients for the Indian Wars, John M. Carroll, Editor that says Moylan was called "Arapaho Michie" and he is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, Laurel section, lot 29, Grave No. 9.
|
|
|
Post by Realbird on Dec 31, 2006 20:23:17 GMT -6
"Captain Moylan was not seen from the time the fight on the bluffs started until after it finished."
statement from Francis Johnson Kennedy, page 161, Walter Camp Notes "Custer and Company."
"On 25th. June, 1876, when my battalion got to crest of hill where Reno took refuge from his "charge" from bottom, the first thing which attracted my attention was the gallantly-mustached captain of Troop "A" blubbering like a whipped urchin, tears coursing down his cheeks."
Frederick William Benteen Custer Myth, Page 200, Col. W.,A. Graham
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Dec 31, 2006 21:58:48 GMT -6
realbird:
On another thread , you will see my comment that the "Arapaho Michie" referenced above was actually "Aparejo Mickie" - a nick-name Moylan got for reputedly hiding behind a pack mule's pack-carrying apparatus. There is also at least one statement that says he kept going after cresting the bluffs on the retreat from the bottoms, until called to halt.
According to William Morris, M Company: "Captain Moylan had started to continue on his own hook, with what was left of his men from the retreat ordered by Reno. Lieut. Hare, who had passed me on his fast horse across the stream, yelled out with a voice that could be heard all over the field: 'If we've got to die, let's die here like men. I'm a fighting son of a pregnant dog from Texas." Then turning to Moylan, he called out: 'Don't run off like a pack of whipped curs.'"
Morris said that Reno was spurred by Hare's stinging remark. "That gave Reno the cue, and recovering himself, he said, 'Captain Moylan, dismount those men.' Moylan didn't obey at once, and Reno repeated the order."
This is the same Moylan who later won a Medal of Honor for action at Snake River, 1877. Go figure!
Gordie
|
|
|
Post by Realbird on Jan 2, 2007 19:44:34 GMT -6
Harpskiddlie, you have hit the head of the proverbial nail, "Go figure!" It also appears that the possibility that Capt. Moylan may have stretched the t-r-u-t-h at the Reno Inquiry is also possible. For example:
"I desire to be understood that my defense of Reno is entirely confined to his act of taking his three troops out of the bottom. Of, his personal conduct in the bottom or subsequently , on the hill the least said the better, If what COL. Benteen told me at Meade in 1883 was true, and I know of no reason to doubt it, then RENO SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT.!
Ironically, Moylan's testimony at the Inquiry did not portray a hint of Anti-Reno-ism. Why then such acrimonious language, in a letter written by him, to Capt. Godfrey, Circa 1892, sixteen years after the event?
Last but, certainly not least , it is imperative that we acknowledge the factor that Reno too, like Moylan, enjoyed a distinguished career. Reno, a hero before the battle, Moylan a hero after. Is it possible that under moments of terrible stress no one knows what he or she may do and, that any type of action is possible??
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Jan 3, 2007 0:33:28 GMT -6
realbird:
Moylan's career prior to the LBH was rather checkered, but generally very creditable, with no signs of cowardice. My opinion is that Moylan was every bit as responsible as Reno for what transpired in the valley, perhaps moreso. You have to read the evidence from RCOI very closely, particularly Varnum, and look at the stories of the enlisted men who were at the fights.
Gordie
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Jan 3, 2007 7:27:36 GMT -6
Moylan's military record ain't to shabby though:
Shiloh Corinth Fort Donelson Fort Henry Beverly Ford Gettysburg Little Big Horn Snake Creek Wounded Knee
He saw a lot of American History unfold before his eyes. He was in minor trouble here and there during his career but look at the others. Even GAC has a top notched record when it came to being in trouble. I think his actions at the LBH were the product of panic which all involved in the valley fight gave into. Panic is contagious. It went from being structured unit to every man for himself. He recovered I believe and showed well at Snake Creek. There are no serious other charges against his behavior in battle during the cw. I'm not making excuses for the good captain but his later criticisms of Reno and others are a little strange. Possibly felt guilty about his actions during the battle and placed the blame for his conduct somewhere other than his own shoulders.
But Gordie, you are correct...he was every bit responsible as Reno for actions in the valley.
|
|
|
Post by elisabeth on Jan 3, 2007 7:54:23 GMT -6
Maybe he felt he had to join the anti-Reno camp once Libbie started gunning for the hapless Major; as Calhoun's brother-in-law, he was virtually a member of the family, after all ...
|
|
|
Post by AZ Ranger on Jan 3, 2007 8:17:58 GMT -6
I don't think what happens under stress is always predictable as to the outcome of an individual's behavior. One day a hero and the next day not. It is different than one being a coward by nature. That type of person is predictable most of the time.
AZ Ranger
|
|
|
Post by markland on Jan 3, 2007 13:23:37 GMT -6
I wonder if Benteen told Moylan about Reno suggesting that they abandon the wounded? The reaction is almost identical to Godfrey's.
Be good,
Billy
|
|
|
Post by d o harris on Jan 3, 2007 14:18:53 GMT -6
Gordie, I'm with you on assigning to Moylan major responsibility for what happened in the valley. Frankly, I am convinced that Reno would have succeeded in establishing a defensive position in the woods but for the quick collapse of A company---a collapse in which Moylan led the way. Because of his personal failure that day Moylan was only too happy to spread Benteen's gossip to distract from his own behavior that day.
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Jan 3, 2007 15:24:44 GMT -6
Billy:
Benteen did tell Moylan [and apparently everbody who would listen, except the RCOI], hence the reference.
Gordie
|
|
|
Post by markland on Jan 4, 2007 12:41:29 GMT -6
Billy: Benteen did tell Moylan [and apparently everbody who would listen, except the RCOI], hence the reference. Gordie Gordie, many thanks! It was just so peculiar that the reaction (to the then unknown stimulus) was so much like Godfrey's that it got me wondering. It is usually at that spot were I get myself in trouble, i.e., such as wondering who were the troops lying in the graves marked "Unknown U. S. Soldier" at the Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery which led directly to expanding my existing database of troops killed in the Red Cloud War into the Project From Hell. Be good, Billy
|
|