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Post by montrose on Aug 5, 2012 18:51:14 GMT -6
Another challenge in LTC Custer's actions is explaining his treatment of Merrit and Reno.
In early 1876, GAC had been in Washington, flogging a story of criminal conduct on Merrit. This is an old story that had been investigated and found meitless. If GAC really wanted to charge an officer of the 7th Cav with misconduct, he should have gone through the military chain of command. Instead, he conducted a slander campaign with the media and Congress.
I can not see what he hoped to gain by this, except hurting the career of a rival officer. It was a malicious act, and points again to GAC's lack of integrity and honor.
After Reno'sscout, LTC Custer wrote an anonymous article for the NY Herald. This article severely abused Reno. Given that GAC was Reno's commander, this is mind boggling. Going to the national media to criticize your own subordinates is not a normal method to build trust and loyalty in a unit.
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Post by plainsman on Aug 5, 2012 18:55:22 GMT -6
Was Custer a psychopath, or merely a sociopath?
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Carl
Full Member
Posts: 125
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Post by Carl on Aug 6, 2012 10:42:41 GMT -6
A review of the Offical Records of the War of Rebellion. Vol 29, pages 118-131 Reports of the Action Sep 13-15. Which includes that at Culpepper Court House on the 13th.
The Regimental commanders in Custer's brigade submitted reports, but Custer did not.
Colonel Gray is recorded as Commanding the Brigade on Sep 14 - no Custer. Kilpatrick's report did not list any officer as being wounded in the Brigade, although other casualties are recorded.
The conclusion is that Custer might have been wounded, perhaps slightly and was unable to exercise command on the 14th. He definitely was not actively in command of his Brigade on the 14th.
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Post by benteen on Aug 6, 2012 11:36:38 GMT -6
In the book "Custer and the Little Big Horn" by Jim Donovan the following. At Culpeper Court House, Custers horse was hit and killed by an artillery shell as he charged straight towards the heavy guns, the shell nicked his leg, tearing his boot, and bruising the skin badly. Custer got 20 day furlough for his bruised skin. (Guess it pays to be in good with the right people)
Be Well Dan
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Post by bc on Aug 7, 2012 7:49:21 GMT -6
In the book "Custer and the Little Big Horn" by Jim Donovan the following. At Culpeper Court House, Custers horse was hit and killed by an artillery shell as he charged straight towards the heavy guns, the shell nicked his leg, tearing his boot, and bruising the skin badly. Custer got 20 day furlough for his bruised skin. (Guess it pays to be in good with the right people) Be Well Dan If only he moved his leg an inch, he could have saved his horse! Too bad he only trained them to dodge bullets and arrows and didn't train them in dodging shell fragments. bc
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Post by plainsman on Aug 7, 2012 7:54:30 GMT -6
I believe shell fragments were only covered in Dodging 102.
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Post by tubman13 on Feb 13, 2014 9:36:01 GMT -6
Montrose, you post well. Custer never cared for Farnsworth or Merritt, as they were promoted on the same day as he was, both to brig.. He never had to worry about Farnsworth, as he died , before his promotion was confirmed by Congress. He saw them as competition for regular army positions. Merritt was a better officer, he served through the Span/Am war, became Gov. Gen. of the Philippines, before MacArthur's old man got the gig.
Regards, Tom
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Post by montrose on Jan 10, 2015 19:26:29 GMT -6
Try this thread.
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Post by tubman13 on Jan 10, 2015 19:28:58 GMT -6
What a pleasure!
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Post by montrose on Jan 15, 2015 16:29:17 GMT -6
Beth wrote, "Sometimes when I read about the journey from FAL to Little Bighorn it makes me think that Custer viewed the whole campaign as an extended romp in the country with his relatives with a whole lot of killing Indians as the climax. From the point Custer receives word that the Indians are confronting Reno instead of running, he seems to be just reacting to events, instead of thinking ahead to how to gain control of the situation. Am I wrong with that impression? Also in a battle situation can an action where you are always reacting just reacting to events ever turn out successful?"
On 15 April 1867 LTC Custer was ordered to chase and kill or capture Indians fleeing a village by BG Hancock. On the second day of this patrol, Custer left his command and went skylarking out of boredom. He saw some buffalo and decided to hunt them, going so fast his orderly could not keep up. During this hunt he shot and killed his own horse. His orderly had returned to the regiment and they stopped their mission and went to find their AWOL commander. Several hours later they found him.
Custer later said the Indian trail had split so it was futile to chase them. Partially true, the command had seen trails from the main path during LTC Custer's absence. The problem is they did not follow either the main trail or the splits. They abandoned the trail entirely to find their commander.
If you want more examples of gross misconduct during combat operations, ask away. I have about a dozen more.
His arrest by Sully, the underwear fight, the ambush, his stove arrest, the river nap etc, etc, etc.
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Post by Beth on Jan 15, 2015 16:57:30 GMT -6
Share away. I've read of course about Libby's one perfect romantic day, but I've read several reasons why Custer made the trip--like some outbreak of a dire illness versus some young officers were making eyes at Libby. Which do you think was the more likely? I often wonder how much of Custer's reputations at the time was because of actions in the field and how much was from his art of self promotion. The same goes for Custer after Little Bighorn. Before I never really bothered to care about the who Custer, Reno, Benteen and others were outside of LBH now I am finding it's important to know.
Beth
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Post by montrose on Jan 15, 2015 17:32:10 GMT -6
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Post by Beth on Jan 15, 2015 18:01:16 GMT -6
What is the time line from with the horse incident, the running home to Libby and the deserters?
Also I've read 'somewhere" that Custer made a real donkey of himself on the way down to Austin, especially about if people didn't treat Libby like Custer thought he deserved.
Beth
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Post by montrose on Jan 21, 2015 17:04:17 GMT -6
In May, 2006 B Squadron, Combat Applications Group (more commonly known as Delta Force) conducted a raid in Iraq. Operation was part of the search for Zarqawi. The normal procedure was to attack at night. The commander, a LTC, was being aggressive and attacked in daylight.
Unfortunately, this enemy wasn't running away, either. US forces were pinned on the ground for hours. 1 helicopter was shot down, 3 others badly damaged. It took a massive effort to withdraw. US casualties were 2 KIA, 5 WIA.
The B Squadron commander was held accountable. He was relieved of command a few days later.
I do not understand the reluctance of the LBH community to hold LTC Custer responsible and accountable. He isn't a boy wonder this far after the Civil War.
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Post by tubman13 on Jan 21, 2015 18:43:32 GMT -6
I have seen operations officer removed for much less in the middle of an operation and it was only training. AF, to boot. He made a mistake, then compounded it.
Regards, Tom
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