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Post by tubman13 on Mar 26, 2015 4:45:21 GMT -6
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Post by AZ Ranger on Mar 26, 2015 7:43:58 GMT -6
"While Custer and Benteen shared a certainly acrimonious relationship, few historians — and even fewer Custer buffs — possess the military experience or intuitive wherewithal to judge the professional commitment of a career officer." -
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Post by dave on Mar 26, 2015 12:33:35 GMT -6
Tom Thank you very much for posting the article it was very informative. Imagine a man who had served his country at great personal expense---alienation of family---with honor and distinction, being smeared professionally because of the flawed strategy and decisions of his commanding officer. Benteen was a complicated man who lived his life by a code of conduct, while difficult to deal with at times for some, he was genuinely admired by his troops and peers for his honest upright manner and beliefs. Benteen walked this earth with his pride and integrity intact and died on his terms. We don't have many like him but enough to make this country safe. He was the epitome of the phrase by Richard Grenier: ...people sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
Regards Dave
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Post by AZ Ranger on Mar 27, 2015 6:09:06 GMT -6
At some point in time we changed in my Department from doing a good job being important and what you did while not working did not matter if it did not cause the Department embarrassment. The Rangers could be found in bars and dancing in country western establishment on their time off. But when it was time to work they did exactly that. Now its ok to do minimal work as long as you remain politically correct.
The ranks were self policing and you either measured up or left because you didn't fit in.
I replaced a "nice guy" that went to work somewhere else as a biologist. Good for him recognizing where he fit in.
I really think that if your life experience is solely in the modern world work environment it is harder to understand how a soldier can be professional on duty working with everyone and off duty express a dislike for how things were done.
Regards
AZ Ranger
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Post by callmeconrad on Mar 27, 2015 8:00:08 GMT -6
Thanks for this link Tom, I hadn't known about the origins of the Benteen/Custer feud. I guess I just thought that something would have set them off eventually!
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Post by dave on Mar 27, 2015 10:49:35 GMT -6
Benteen and Custer would never be friends or confidants regardless of how their first meeting went. Custer lived on his reputation like a hibernating bear lives on its fat. Custer had to have the respect and admiration of all, subordinates and peers alike. I believe Custer wanted to be liked by all. His commanders during the War loved George the colorful, brash, brave and effective soldier. He was a favorite of Pleasonton and Sheridan who admired his audacity and pluck. Custer had to have everyone's approval and admiration and worked hard to obtain it from Benteen without success.
Benteen was a no nononsese officer who expected performance not stories and ego aggrandizement from a fop. To him war was not a great lark an opportunity to gain glory and fame regardless of the cost as it was to Custer. Benteen detesed braggerts and self promoters.
Regards
Dave
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Post by Beth on Mar 27, 2015 11:10:41 GMT -6
Benteen and Custer would never be friends or confidants regardless of how their first meeting went. Custer lived on his reputation like a hibernating bear lives on its fat. Custer had to have the respect and admiration of all, subordinates and peers alike. I believe Custer wanted to be liked by all. His commanders during the War loved George the colorful, brash, brave and effective soldier. He was a favorite of Pleasonton and Sheridan who admired his audacity and pluck. Custer had to have everyone's approval and admiration and worked hard to obtain it from Benteen without success. Benteen was a no nononsese officer who expected performance not stories and ego aggrandizement from a fop. To him war was not a great lark an opportunity to gain glory and fame regardless of the cost as it was to Custer. Benteen detesed braggerts and self promoters. Regards Dave Custer in 1876 is no longer the same man as he was during the Civil War. He is no longer that brash, young boy officer heading to the top, but a balding middle aged man in a stalled career. He's like the hometown hero who made the winning touchdown that won the big game--at the 20th reunion, all his classmates have moved on to bigger and better things and he has stayed the same. There is a part of Custer that never seemed to have grown up--like he always needs his mother's approval and his brothers around to rough house. Only Mom became Libby and his brothers his fellow officers. I wonder how much Custer was indulged by his parents and half siblings. His mother had lost three sons before him. He probably was very much a golden child until the next baby arrived. Beth
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2015 12:55:27 GMT -6
Benteen and Custer would never be friends or confidants regardless of how their first meeting went. Custer lived on his reputation like a hibernating bear lives on its fat. Custer had to have the respect and admiration of all, subordinates and peers alike. I believe Custer wanted to be liked by all. His commanders during the War loved George the colorful, brash, brave and effective soldier. He was a favorite of Pleasonton and Sheridan who admired his audacity and pluck. Custer had to have everyone's approval and admiration and worked hard to obtain it from Benteen without success. Benteen was a no nononsese officer who expected performance not stories and ego aggrandizement from a fop. To him war was not a great lark an opportunity to gain glory and fame regardless of the cost as it was to Custer. Benteen detesed braggerts and self promoters. Regards Dave Dave, do you have any examples of where Custer worked hard to obtain the "approval and admiration" from Benteen? Benteen may have detested self promoters, but he certainly had no such problem promoting himself and his actions as his RCOI testimony shows. Regards Mark
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Post by welshofficer on Mar 27, 2015 13:11:59 GMT -6
Benteen and Custer would never be friends or confidants regardless of how their first meeting went. Custer lived on his reputation like a hibernating bear lives on its fat. Custer had to have the respect and admiration of all, subordinates and peers alike. I believe Custer wanted to be liked by all. His commanders during the War loved George the colorful, brash, brave and effective soldier. He was a favorite of Pleasonton and Sheridan who admired his audacity and pluck. Custer had to have everyone's approval and admiration and worked hard to obtain it from Benteen without success. Benteen was a no nononsese officer who expected performance not stories and ego aggrandizement from a fop. To him war was not a great lark an opportunity to gain glory and fame regardless of the cost as it was to Custer. Benteen detesed braggerts and self promoters. Regards Dave Dave,
Why do you think GAC kept Benteen around, for 7 years after Washita? What was he hoping for?
WO
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Post by tubman13 on Mar 27, 2015 13:28:35 GMT -6
Benteen and Custer would never be friends or confidants regardless of how their first meeting went. Custer lived on his reputation like a hibernating bear lives on its fat. Custer had to have the respect and admiration of all, subordinates and peers alike. I believe Custer wanted to be liked by all. His commanders during the War loved George the colorful, brash, brave and effective soldier. He was a favorite of Pleasonton and Sheridan who admired his audacity and pluck. Custer had to have everyone's approval and admiration and worked hard to obtain it from Benteen without success. Benteen was a no nononsese officer who expected performance not stories and ego aggrandizement from a fop. To him war was not a great lark an opportunity to gain glory and fame regardless of the cost as it was to Custer. Benteen detesed braggerts and self promoters. Regards Dave Dave,
Why do you think GAC kept Benteen around, for 7 years after Washita? What was he hoping for?
WO
Guy's I am not going looking for the letter, but Custer wrote Libbie around the time of the Yellowstone Expedition, and spoke to her of his grudging respect for the man/soldier. If I run across it again I will post it.
Regards, Tom
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Post by welshofficer on Mar 27, 2015 13:32:16 GMT -6
Tom,
GAC recognised that Benteen was one of the better officers, or he wouldn't have tolerated the baggage that came with him.
WO
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Post by tubman13 on Mar 27, 2015 15:10:09 GMT -6
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Post by Beth on Mar 27, 2015 15:22:32 GMT -6
Thanks. Great artwork and story.
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Post by tubman13 on Mar 28, 2015 8:33:23 GMT -6
Some might think Benteen, taught Ty Cobb to sharpen his spikes, since they both resided in GA during Ty's formative years. Both Cobb and Benteen's family did well with Coke stock.
Regards, Tom
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Post by Beth on Mar 28, 2015 16:33:06 GMT -6
Some might think Benteen, taught Ty Cobb to sharpen his spikes, since they both resided in GA during Ty's formative years. Both Cobb and Benteen's family did well with Coke stock. Regards, Tom One would like to think of the possiblity, but the years don't line up. Beth
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