Benteen/Goldin letters

[zekesgirl]

I haven't read them so this many be another stupid question of mine but why would Benteen be writing letters to an enlisted man? Was the non-fraternization rule not as prevalent then?

[Dark Cloud]

There are no fraternization rules regarding civilians, as both were retired from service, I believe. Benteen politely answered letters from Golden, soon to be revealed as a self-promoting liar, but then an important regional politico. But I repeat myself.

There are only the letters Golden chose to keep from Benteen; Benteen nuked Golden's, or at least they were never found. Golden used Benteen for info so he could get a CMOH, at which he eventually was successful, and to get info for his paid articles. He told several mutually exclusive stories about being the last person to be sent from Custer. He was at the LBH, but Benteen had no reason to remember him.

[zekesgirl]

Thanks, I didn't know when they were written but I had a problem seeing Benteen communicating with him. Thanks again!

[biggordie]

zekesgirl:

When Goldin contacted Benteen, he was a Colonel [or had been] in the State Militia or whatever they called it in those days. He led Benteen to think that he had served with him for years, and that they had several acquaintances in common. He was obsequious and flattering, while all he was looking for, in reality was an endorsement for his MOH application, and some information for his Army Magazine article, as dc says.

He eventually sold the letters from Benteen, for 500 bucks I think, and invented a lot of twaddle to go along with them. Goldin was an inventive liar, and his lies were superficially believable. It is only when one delves into his history and statements in depth that he is exposed for what he was. At one time, he applied to be the Superintendent of the Custer Battlefield National Monument. Thankfully, his application failed.

Gordie