Isolated Markers

[Yan Taylor]

Good morning all, at a request from a fellow country man, I have opened up this thread to try and discuss the isolated markers that are dotted around the Custer battlefield, now here is what I have so far as my knowledge on the markers is rather thin on the ground, I must stress here that I have used info from both Fred and Chris to make this list.

OM-5 (Western edge of the South Skirmish Line) no remains found
OM-6 (Western edge of the South Skirmish Line) no remains found
OM-121 (Calhoun Coulee)
OM-124 (around Calhoun Coulee & Greasy Grass Ridge)
OM-126 (around Calhoun Coulee & Greasy Grass Ridge)
OM-127 (around Calhoun Coulee & Greasy Grass Ridge)
OM-174 (Eastern edge of the Keogh Sector) no remains found only carbine rounds
OM-253 (in between Deep Ravine and Greasy Grass Ridge)
OM-254 (in between Deep Ravine and Greasy Grass Ridge)
OM-257 (in between Deep Ravine and Greasy Grass Ridge) maybe Corp. Briody

I cannot locate the marker numbers for Foley and Butler, as my map only covers the main area of battle.

Ian.

[Colt45]

Laref had posted a map on the Indian Movements thread that showed marker positions that form the appearance of a circle. The ones of interest were markers 254 through 128, which I believe indicated C company's movement from Calhoun Hill into Calhoun Coulee and FFR to drive off the NDNs coming up Calhoun Coulee. The markers I felt indicated the farthest movement toward the NDNs that C company made, and indicated where they fell as they began the retreat back toward Calhoun Hill. Markers 255, 20/21, 1, and 2 are more difficult, as they could be from C company men fleeing not toward Calhoun Hill, but toward E company, which was probably down near Deep Ravine, or they could be E company men killed there before LSH was overrun, or they could be some of the last ones killed after fleeing LSH. Some of these could also be markers placed where it was believed the missing 28 or so men might have been if they are down in Deep Ravine. I believe Benteen made mention of 20-something men in that vicinity, and since their exact location was unknown when the marble markers were installed, they were probably just located in the vicinity, meaning the count as well as location will be in error. With the fact we know there are spurious markers around the battlefield, it will be hard to know what unit the trooper was from without any identifying evidence at the marker site.

[Deleted]

Ian,

Here's a draft of the overlay technique mentioned on another thread; I know it's a bit off register but close:

Did you mean OM-6 in the second line?

c.

[Yan Taylor]

OOPS yes I did Chris, thanks for pointing that out.
Looking at the line 257 to 127, could suggest a movement to western end of deep ravine, but why would anyone want to go there? E Company men holding out perhaps? If this ravine was one of the main avenues used by warriors to get to the battle then this would not be a healthy place to be.

Ian.

[welshofficer]

Ian,

Just found this thread - thanks for starting.

I will contribute shortly.

WO