|
Post by benteen on Nov 22, 2015 13:26:03 GMT -6
...
I did not count corporals.
Best wishes, Fred. Capt Fred, You dont count Corporals? How can you be so cruel. Do I not hunger, do I not thirst, if you cut me do I not bleed. Oh the pain. Be Well Dan
|
|
|
Post by dave on Nov 22, 2015 13:30:48 GMT -6
Tom and Fred Y'all have listed the officers that were not at the LBH but what about their qualities? Were they better qualified than the officers that did participate in the battle? Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by fred on Nov 22, 2015 15:34:16 GMT -6
Just for you...
COL Sturgis—Detached to St. Louis as Superintendent, Mounted Recruiting Service; rejoined the regiment in October 1876. During the Civil War, Sturgis fought at Brice’s Crossroads where Nathan Bedford Forrest whipped his command. Mediocre reputation because of that defeat, though cleared of any “inefficiency and cowardice.” Disliked by Benteen for alleged cowardice at Cañon Creek. In a September 14, 1895, letter to Theodore Goldin, Benteen wrote, “… Sam D. Sturgis should have been tried by G. C. M. for the Clark’s Ford Canyon idiocy”Benteen wrote, “Reno was a far better soldier than Sturgis, and that isn’t much praise.”
Major Merrill—Heavily criticized at Cañon Creek for allowing Chief Joseph to get away, yet he was still given a brevet to BG for gallantry during the battle. As “poor a soldier as Reno was, he was a long way ahead of Merrill.” There was no love lost between Merrill and Custer, though Custer tried to get him back for the campaign. Benteen had known him for a number of years—at least back to 1861—and did not think very highly of him. In a February 20, 1896, letter to Theodore Goldin, Benteen said as “poor a soldier as Reno was, he was a long way ahead of Merrill.” Reno called him a “notorious coward and shirk.”
Major Tilford—Overweight and a heavy drinker. For an unknown reason, Tilford came to intensely dislike George Custer. Second-in-command to Custer during the Black Hills Expedition (1874), where a rebuke caused the rift between the two men to widen even more.
Capt. Sheridan—Unknown.
Tourtellotte—After the re-organization of the army in 1869 – 1870, he accepted an appointment as captain, Company G, Seventh Cavalry, December 15, 1870. Went on detached duty with Sherman, January 1871. Nothing else known.
Ilsley—Because of his faithful service and his recommendations, he received a commission in the post-war army. His position in the Seventh Cavalry was essentially nominal until August 1879 when he joined the regiment at Fort Meade.
Hale—Killed in action at Snake Creek, M. T., fighting the Nez Percé, September 30, 1877; shot in the throat. At the Washita. Promoted to captain of K Company where he would remain until he was killed. Apparently, there was a group of seven officers—called it a “mess”—of which Benteen and Hale were two. Benteen seemed to think very highly of Hale.
Braden—Solidly built and very reliable. Braden had been on sick leave since October 5, 1875. Took part in the Yellowstone Expedition and was wounded in the thigh during the August 11, 1873, battle near Pompey’s Pillar. Wounded in battle with Sioux near the mouth of the Big Horn River during Stanley Expedition. Left thighbone shattered and he eventually wound up retiring on a disability, June 28, 1878. He was hospitalized until October 1873. Became a professor at the USMA and was later brevetted and awarded the DSC for his actions on the Yellowstone: with twenty men he repulsed more than 200 Indians even while wounded.
Craycroft—Continuously sick. Went on detached duty prior to the 1876 campaign. Ordered to appear before Retiring Board, May 18, 1876. At Fort Lincoln. Applied for sick leave in October 1876 and retired on disability, June 28, 1878.
Eckerson—Assigned to QM as acting paymaster, but charged with “conduct unbecoming an officer”—regimental funds seemed to be missing—he was court-martialed and dismissed from the service. He appealed and was reinstated. Was with Godfrey at Cedar Creek, M. T., in spring of 1877, when they chased Indians who had robbed the U. S. mail. Apparently, Godfrey failed to pursue them and Benteen claimed Eckerson said Godfrey was a coward. Fought the Nez Percé at Snake Creek, September 30, 1877, where he took command of three companies after all the officers were killed or wounded. He was commended for conspicuous duty. At the height of the battle he told General Nelson Miles, “I am the only damned man of the Seventh Cavalry wearing shoulder straps who’s alive!” Commanded three companies in Nez Percé Campaign after Moylan and Godfrey were wounded. Court-martialed again and dismissed from service, June 30, 1878, conduct unbecoming an officer. Supposedly a true gentleman and scholar, but he could not handle his booze. Benteen seemed to like him a lot, though he felt Eckerson was rather vain and not an honest man. “If it will benefit any in t’other sphere, my testimony for him will go to the effect that he’d more grit than his captain.” Employed as a civilian with the QM Department.
Garlington—An exemplary soldier and an ideal cavalryman.
Jackson—Originally enlisted in the British army and received a commission. Served in the Crimean War. He secured an appointment with the Seventh Cavalry, but after his promotion to 1LT, July 31, 1867, he was sent on detached duty, at first in the Department of Missouri, then in Washington, D. C. Benteen considered him a “coffee-cooler,” probably undeserved. He took over C Company after the battle and served in the Nez Percé Campaign in 1877. Remained in the field with the regiment and was at Wounded Knee where he was wounded. Served in Cuba.
Larned—Apparently not very well liked. LT Godfrey—a few weeks after the LBH fight—noted in his diary [August 2]: Godfrey made a comment about General Terry telling of of LT Larned’s appointment as “Prof. of D’g. He was mad & thot it was an outrage as we all think him a systematic shirk.”
Nave—According to “Garlington’s Chronological Sketch of Co. I,” Nave was with Company I from July 12, 1871. The unit was on the Northwest Boundary Survey escort when the Black Hills Expedition took place, but the boundary expedition seems to preclude his participation. Was at Fort Lincoln during the Nez Percé Campaign. Field duty until September 1880 when he applied for sick leave. Retired on disability, September 23, 1885. Returned to teaching at the University of Tennessee as Professor of Military Tactics.
Nowlan— Graduated from Sandhurst and served as an officer with the British army (Hussars) in the Crimean War. Decorated for gallantry in the siege of Sebastopol, 1854 – 1855. Also served in the Papal Guard. Was a POW at Andersonville for some time, but escaped in early 1865, an unusual occurrence in the Civil War. Appointed regimental QM, March 1872, and remained in that position for the rest of his time in the Dakotas, though he did take part in the Nez Percé Campaign and the battle of Canyon Creek, September 13, 1877. Replaced Keogh, his good friend, as CO, Company I. Benteen considered him a “coffee-cooler,” but this appears unfair. Nowlan remained on frontier duty for the rest of his career. He died while on leave.
Bell—“Solidly built and ruggedly dependable, he was the quintessential cavalryman.” Cited for gallantry at the Washita, where he was regimental QM, for bringing ammunition into the battle on his own initiative. Was with his company on occupation duty; transferred to Company D when he accompanied it on the Northern Boundary Survey Commission in 1873. Benteen called him a “coffee-cooler,” unfairly, because he was at home during the 1876 campaign. CO of F Company under Merrill at Cañon Creek. After leaving the Seventh in 1896, he served in the Philippines and retired in 1901. Apparently LT Godfrey as well, did not think too highly of him.
And just for you, Dan…
Corporals—
Company A— None.
Company B— None.
Company C— CPL Crandall, Charles A. – At PRD.
Company D— CPL Cunningham, Albert J. – At PRD.
Company E— None.
Company F— CPL Clyde, Edward (aka, Frank Rankin)—At PRD.
Company G— CPL Crussy, Melanchton H. – At PRD.
Company H— None.
Company I— CPL McCall, Joseph—At Fort Lincoln on DS.
Company K— CPL Murray, Henry—At PRD.
CPL Nolan, John—At PRD.
Company L— CPL Noonan, John—At PRD.
Company M— None.
Best wishes, Fred.
|
|
|
Post by dave on Nov 24, 2015 11:02:41 GMT -6
Fred I appreciate the information regarding the officers not present at the Little Big Horn. I had long wondered of the 7th had its best players at the LBH. I do not think the outcome of the battle would have been effected by the addition of any of the missing officers with the exception of Sturgis. I believe the 7th would have been handled very differently by Sturgis. Can't see him being very aggressive in pursuing the Indians. Once again thank you for the information. Regards Dave
|
|