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Post by AZ Ranger on Oct 13, 2015 6:08:59 GMT -6
All the horses were held in a claering to the rear of the firing line.Any movement of the horses being brought forward would trigger a general movement. It think maybe a number of soldiers choose to remain behind . The timber covered the break out .If Reno had tried the same maneuver in the open from a standing start he would not broken away . As for covering the retreat this is strictly for Hollywood. Changing from one formation to another while in contact with the enemy is nigh on impossible and certainly not with those troops. Anything other than a hell for leather charge was a waste of time and energy. We have a great love convoluted maneuvers on these boards. Richard I believe Herendeen convinced soldiers to stay with him. I agree also that there is no rear guard action that you can take at full speed. The only rear guard was the troopers on the slower horses. Regards Steve
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Post by magpie on Oct 14, 2015 15:42:41 GMT -6
Shaw, Okay, their was a leader failure in the retreat. But what leaders. M and A Company organized as units and took part in the breakout. G Company fell apart as a unit, and ended up a random collection of individuals. Only 3 soldiers made it out with the rest of the battalion. The company commander abandoned his role as company commander. He stole a horse from a private and fled. He made no effort to organize and lead his company, in any manner. From primary sources, it appears the civilian messenger Herendeen took over command, not the sergeants and corporals of this company. G Company appears broken at officer and NCO level. The individual soldiers showed bravery and courage. The majority of the company privates managed to hide in the shrubbery and rejoin the regiment, not because of, but despite of, their company officers and NCOs. That's detail I was unaware of. I have to hand it to Herendeen there. He did a hell of a job hurt as he was from having his horse shot out from under him. He got these men back to the regiment in less than 2 hours. Quite a contrast from DeRudio, Girard, the Sergeant and one soldier who were essentially desserting. I say that in it would have been easier to make for Reno's hill than Ford A.
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