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Post by tubman13 on Sept 29, 2014 15:26:29 GMT -6
To move on. Reno, Marcus Albert Entered W.P. in 1851, was scheduled to graduate in 1855. Due to excessive demerits, reportedly 1031, he did not graduate until 1857. He was commissioned brevet 2nt LT in the 1st Dragoons that year and moved to 2nd Lt in June 58. He served on frontier posts in Oregon and Washington until the outbreak of the ACW. Brevetted to Col. USA and Brigadier USV. Cited twice for bravery. Mustered out on13 March 1865. After the war he briefly served as infantry tactics instructor at W.P., then was assigned provost marshal in New Orleans, until he requested frontier duty. He was posted to Ft Vancouver, acting as assistant inspector general of the Department of Columbia. He was appointed Major 7th Cavalry December of 1868, but apparently did not report until late the following year. From Dec. 69 to July 71 he was stationed at Ft Hayes, KS, at which time he was assigned to New York as member of the small arms board. This group adopted the 1873 Springfield carbine as prime cavalry weapon. In 1873 Reno returned to the 7th and was assigned to Boundary Survey Duty, he missed Yellowstone and Black Hills. While on boundary duty his wife died, he was not "granted" leave for his wife's funeral. To add insult to injury his wife's family denied him her share of the family fortune. Reno did wrangle leave to go to Europe for an extended stay. He returned from Europe in time to become the temporary commander of the 7th, during the time which Custer was embroiled in Washington politics. Reno requested the position become permanent, Terry put him off to see the outcome of Custer's situation. Reno was quite resentful when Custer returned to take charge of the LBH campaign, and showed it. There had never been any love loss between the two. In fact Reno had a number of detractors. It has been said that he was generally not liked, even despised by many of his contemporaries. General Hugh Scott, then a young 2nd Lt. "disliked him intensely". Lt. Francis Gibson was "wary of Reno and considered him to be arrogant and vicious." 1st Lt. Edward Godfrey(future general)wrote in his journal" Reno's self important rudeness makes him unbearable." Even Captain Benteen, who shared a common dislike of Custer, once publically called Reno a "SOB", slapped him and challenged him to a fight. Reno prudently declined. Reno was more of a bad politician than a good and qualified officer to command an size battle group.
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Post by Yan Taylor on Sept 30, 2014 7:06:24 GMT -6
Hello Tom; and nice work.
Reno’s late wife apparently came from a well-heeled family covering areas such as banking, Newspapers and glass manufacturing, Reno himself was related to a French guy called Renault, he probably had something to do with the English giving you the colonies to look after, and for this the US gave him land the size of Scotland.
It was a shame they didn’t let him attend his wife’s funeral, even if they were estranged he still should have been granted leave, I would expect him to feel aggrieved at this, after all he did fight for his country as well as peace time service.
Ian.
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Post by tubman13 on Oct 1, 2014 9:26:19 GMT -6
Hello Tom; and nice work. Reno’s late wife apparently came from a well-heeled family covering areas such as banking, Newspapers and glass manufacturing, Reno himself was related to a French guy called Renault, he probably had something to do with the English giving you the colonies to look after, and for this the US gave him land the size of Scotland. It was a shame they didn’t let him attend his wife’s funeral, even if they were estranged he still should have been granted leave, I would expect him to feel aggrieved at this, after all he did fight for his country as well as peace time service. Ian. Ian, the work is not mine although I used it to come up with some conclusions. Renault should have stayed in France, his heirs may have been the part owners of a car company. I am going to do one or two more posts, give a conclusion. I will then list some sources.
So let's go.
Benteen, Frederick William Born in Petersburg, VA, moved to St. Louis as a young boy. Turned his back on the south in September 1861 by joining Bowen's Brigade as a 1st Lt., this brigade later became the 10th Missouri Cavalry. His slave owning father disowned him for this betrayal and may have said " I hope the first bullet gets you." During the war Benteen's father was employed on a steamboat caledl "Fair Play" which was supplying local Confederates. Frederick was part of a group that captured the steamboat. Within a few days the crew, save for Benteen senior were released, he spent the remainder of the war in lockup. Benteen's "defection" to the Union may have had more to do with love for a unionist lady, Catherine Norman, than philosophy. They were married, had 5 children, all but one were lost to spinal meningitis, the survivor, Fred became a major, who served into the 20th century. During the ACW Benteen participated in numerous engagements in the western theater. These engagements included Wilson Creek, Pea Ridge, the siege of Vicksburg, Brandon Station, the capture of Jackson, and the capture of Selma. Probably the high point of his ACW career was the pursuit of Confederate General Sterling Price, Benteen spearheaded the decisive charge at the battle of Mine Creek that broke the Rebel lines. Benteen was mustered out as a colonel on 30 June 1865. After the war he was appointed Col. of the 138th Colored Volunteers. In July 1866 he was given a regular army commission of captain, then assigned to the 7th. Benteen took an immediate dislike to Custer and was an outspoken critic, especially after the Washita battle. He felt Custer had abandoned his friend Major Joel Elliott. To his credit Custer never publically spoke or wrote a bad word about Benteen. In fact, there is a passage in "My Life on the Plains" where Custer depicts Benteen in a very positive light. Benteen was at the Washita, Yellowstone expedition, and Black Hills expedition. I think that at the LBH, Benteen was ill - used and detached in a wasteful fashion as were many in this debacle.
Other officers that may have been ill-used were:
Varnum, Charles Albert experience in Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. Had fought NA's prior to LBH. Retired as colonel 1918. Hare, Luther Rector showed well in battle and scouting. Retired Co. USA, Brig. USV 2 Silver Stars. Edgerly, Winfield Scott Yellowstone and Black Hills had fought NA's previously. Retired brigadier. Gibson, Francis Marion Washita, Yellowstone, Black Hills, and had fought NA's. Retired in 1891. Godfrey, Edward Settle Washita, Yellowstone, and Black Hills. Had fought NA's. Retired as brigadier. Mathey, Edward Gustave Much NA experience. Washita battle, Yellowstone, and Black Hills expeditions. Retired colonel, 1904. Mc Dougall, Thomas Mower The man was wasted on pack train had much NA experience even before joining the 7th, against Apaches in AZ. Add Yellowstone and Black Hills. left active service due disability in 1890, in 1904 advanced to major retired. All in all, this was probably a better group than Custer took with him.
I guess in all of this, originally I was hoping to find poor officers, drunkenness, or problems of some sort with training of officers. After putting it aside for more than 10 years, then taking a harder look I have found that there was something staring me in the face the whole time. Custer mismanaged not only the battle plan, but his officer corps as well. He surrounded himself with yes men, "Custer Clan members", generally non critical thinkers, and sycophants. He would have been better served by putting his best where they could have served him best. In business as well as in the military you should put your best near you in positions that will not only make you look good, but get you the best overall results as well.
These thoughts about the officer corps all started in 2002 when I bought a book by Thom Hatch, from a local museum called "The Custer Companion." This prompted to look in other areas for info, the most helpful sources were: Annie Roberts Yates Madam Custer Brian Pohanka George Walton W.A. Graham General Hugh Scott General Edward Godfrey Bismark Times 1877 Charles Varnum Walter Camp French L. Maclean
DC, QC, Thom Hatch lives near you guys, I think Colorado Springs, He has also written other period books.
Thanks for being tolerant with this wondering, disjointed rant.
Regards, Tom
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Post by mac on Oct 1, 2014 14:07:29 GMT -6
Thank you Tom! I have enjoyed it. Cheers
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Post by Yan Taylor on Oct 2, 2014 6:43:12 GMT -6
Tom, I have not delved down as deep as you, but looking at the five companies that GAC took with him, most of them were experienced not only as serving officers, but commanding men, some under fire.
Smith: Had war time experience as an officer, saw action and was wounded, he knew the regiment pretty well. Sturgis: green, maybe Smith showed him the ropes.
Yates: fourteen years as an officer, some of these during war time, so knew how things worked. Reily: Had around a ten months service before he died, was that enough I don’t know, as with Sturgis he may have been looked after by Yates.
Calhoun: soldier for twelve years, nine of those as an officer. Crittenden; green, but it looks as though he died with his men.
Keogh: well he certainly had experience and had been around the block a few time, but I could see the younger soldiers having some faith in him, and enough NCOs died around him to add weight to this. Porter: seven years of service as an officer, and at least three of those was on duty, so he had some experience of handing troops.
TWC: Seems competent enough to me. Harrington: same as TWC, saw enough service to warrant his position.
It seems as the greenest officers got placed under commanders who knew the ropes, well to some extent, and that would be standard practice in any army I guess.
Ian.
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Post by tubman13 on Oct 2, 2014 7:33:47 GMT -6
Ian, all good points, but Custer, for the most point took his "boys" with him. They were for the most part, yes men, Custer cronies, or rookies, save for Keogh. Again this is just my opinion.
Regards, Tom
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Post by Yan Taylor on Oct 2, 2014 12:11:49 GMT -6
Tom, I brought that point up a few months ago, that Custer wanted all the limelight. I mean how many of his relatives were with Reno and Benteen, but what I was trying to say was, that in Smith, Yates, Calhoun and Keogh, plus TWC and Cook, Custer’s men had plenty of military experience at company command level, sure there were a few rookies sprinkled in there at 2ndI/C role, but on the whole it seems a good balance.
Ian.
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Post by mac on Oct 2, 2014 12:27:58 GMT -6
Tom and Ian As I understand it Custer was well known for not asking for or accepting advice from any subordinate. So it probably does not matter who was with him. In fact he probably preferred those who simply agreed with his position, as you have both said. Cheers
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Post by tubman13 on Oct 2, 2014 12:29:45 GMT -6
Ian, we will have to agree to disagree, because Custer wanted nobody in his command to disagree. By the way I just spoke with Chuck, now his Wifi is down, but will be back in the next few days.
Regards, Tom
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Post by Yan Taylor on Oct 3, 2014 5:52:11 GMT -6
You are both on the money, but was the way he divided his regiment a conscious act on his part, to keep the trouble makers away, or to be realistic, to split the regiment into four, with each part commanded by a competent and experienced officer, Reno and Benteen seem like logical choices to me, McDougal another, so the rank and command system looks like it went by the book.
Bad news over Chucks Wifi, I have got some work I want him to run his eyes over before I can add it to the other files.
Ian.
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Post by quincannon on Oct 6, 2014 22:28:24 GMT -6
Chuck actually had two problems. Coca Cola and a lap top do not mix well. Repairs would cost more than a new one. Being a coward I chose the latter and purchased a new Toshiba, and put the HP in computer Valhalla. THEN, the repairs to the water damage entered their final stages and for four, no make that five days, I had no TV or computer, and seemingly every bit of furniture I have was piled in a corner of my living room, Wifi connections included. All is now well, but the drywall dust was murder on breathing.
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Post by Beth on Oct 7, 2014 0:15:53 GMT -6
I'm glad to see you back.
Beth
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Post by quincannon on Oct 7, 2014 8:25:02 GMT -6
Glad to be back Beth.
For those interested Hatch lives just outside Colorado Springs, and his book, which is of the trade paperback variety is formatted as a LBH encyclopedia. Not bad. Hatch and I frequent the same tobacco shop, and that is how I met him. His book on the Alamo defenders is similarly formated and like the LBH book is good as a quick reference if you don't want to roam through a lot of stuff to get the answers you seek.
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Post by tubman13 on Oct 7, 2014 12:20:12 GMT -6
Chuck, thanks for the follow up, Hatch, for the most part had me seek out the other sources.
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Post by welshofficer on Oct 11, 2014 16:43:45 GMT -6
Tom, I have not delved down as deep as you, but looking at the five companies that GAC took with him, most of them were experienced not only as serving officers, but commanding men, some under fire. Smith: Had war time experience as an officer, saw action and was wounded, he knew the regiment pretty well. Sturgis: green, maybe Smith showed him the ropes. Yates: fourteen years as an officer, some of these during war time, so knew how things worked. Reily: Had around a ten months service before he died, was that enough I don’t know, as with Sturgis he may have been looked after by Yates. Calhoun: soldier for twelve years, nine of those as an officer. Crittenden; green, but it looks as though he died with his men. Keogh: well he certainly had experience and had been around the block a few time, but I could see the younger soldiers having some faith in him, and enough NCOs died around him to add weight to this. Porter: seven years of service as an officer, and at least three of those was on duty, so he had some experience of handing troops. TWC: Seems competent enough to me. Harrington: same as TWC, saw enough service to warrant his position. It seems as the greenest officers got placed under commanders who knew the ropes, well to some extent, and that would be standard practice in any army I guess. Ian. Yan,
I think the real concern is that the GAC wing was "thin" as regards the NA fighting experience the regiment did have.
And too many officer rookies, with the detached service losses (Tilford, Merrill, and a number of captains) and company commanders then split off to lead the weak battalion formations. How many GAC wing companies were actually led by their captain on the day? Probably none.
WO
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