Did Libby ever say why she didn't visit the battle site?

[lens]

Like the title says did Libby ever articulate why she didn't go to the reunion or ever visit the battlefield at all?

[dave]

I have no clue as to her not visiting that Montana hill side but wonder why would she go to the place he died? In her heart of hearts he lived till her death as she lived her life in service to him and promoting GAC's legend.
Regards
Dave

[lens]

It seems common now for people to go to the crime scene,tragedy scene. Hell people watched the Civil War at the beginning like it was a spectator sport. People now take WWII tours and other war tours and some are going to see where relatives died. I know a guy who went to Khe Sahn to see where his father died. I was just curious.

[dave]

Lens
I understand your confusion. The opening scene of Saving Private Ryan emphasized the return of veterans to the scenes of their war careers. The Marines allow Iwo Jima veterans and their families to visit the island and no one else.

Benten was able to return to the Little Big Horn battlefield yet Libbie did not. Other widows went to Montana but I do not know how many. Eastern Montana was not exactly on the Michelin Map in the late 1800's and urban residents probably cared little to rough it for a visit.
Regards
Dave

[crzhrs]

From "General Custer's Libbie" by Lawrence Frost (if you can find the book get it!): Consistent with her desire to avoid any public appearances (at the LBH) Libbie refused the invitation to attend the 45th anniversary of the LBH in Hardin, Montana. Seeing the hills side where Autie had perished would tear open the old wound. She had been urged to attend the 50th anniversary but she refused after she had asked advice from a close friend who told her: " . . . I think it would be a great strain to be shown certain points on the field . . . let them use your name . . . and use your good judgment." She declined the offer because it would be so traumatic to her, even after 50 years.

While she made many trips out west she never went the LBH site.

There are photographs of the 50th anniversary of the battle with a number of veterans (Indian & White) including Godfrey and White Bull who were now friends!

[dave]

czrhrs
Good informative post, thank you. I kinda figured she did not want to go to Montana as it was where he died and lost his final battle. She ALWAYS accentuated his positives and never mentioned any problems, like a court martial.

I have ordered the book and thank you for the recommendation.
Regards
Dave

[lens]

Thank you

[dave]

Who did Libbie hold responsible for Custer's death and losing the battle other than Reno and Benteen? Spending her life as a widow who established a cult worshiping GAC had to have created much heat and anger which had to be released. But to whom did she aim?
Regards
Dave

Lens, this is a very interesting thread and I am glad you started it.

[crzhrs]

Libbie critiziced anyone who had anything bad to say about GAC, even Cyrus Brady who wrote one of the best books using first-hand accounts of participants in Cyrus Brady: Indian Fights and Fighters (early 1900s).

In the end it was Reno who she put full blame on her husband's death. She was against any statues, memorials or dedications to Reno. She considered him a coward and drunk. She didn't have anything negative to say about Benteen.

[lens]

New blood new questions keep the board going. Reno gets slammed, I think rightfully so from what I read, everywhere but the Reno Board of Inquiry. I have read, I think in A Terrible Glory, that there was a effort to deceive the public and make Reno look, well maybe not innocent, but not the main culprit of the disaster. I think the it was said in the book that officers said different things on the stand from what they said in private and that it was not a well kept secret that the ARMY want a specific finding and would punish those who did not cooperate. I am new to this and I have not read that many books yet. Is this the general consensus?

[dave]

Lens
This is where things get a "little squirrely" when I present my ideas of what happened on June 25, 1876.

The subject of Marcus Reno's actions on that day has generated more heat than any other aspect of this battle. Reno has been cited as the cause of the failure of the 7th Cavalry to defeat the Indians and force them back to the Reservation. I happen to disagree with this theory and will attempt to explain my reasoning.

Custer made a series of mistakes that day beginning with:
1)   I believe Custer should have sent word to Terry prior to attacking where the Indians were and an estimated number of hostiles.
2)   GAC divided his forces despite the intelligence from his scouts, both white and Indian, of the size and location of the village. He even placed one of his battalion's (Reno) on the other side of the river instead of keeping his whole force on the western valley where the village was and much better ground for cavalry operations
3)   I believe Custer failed to appreciate how bad the terrain was for cavalry to operate effectively
4)   Custer failed to share his plans with the officers and they all went into battle somewhat in the dark as to what Custer had in mind.
5)   Continually dividing his regiment into smaller and smaller segments that were not in mutual support positions enable the hostiles to take the command in small bites with continually superior numbers.
6)   Sending Benteen's battalion on the scout instead of using friendly Indian scouts was a waste of a 1/4 of his command and denied him the availability of his best combat leader
7)   The infamous "order" from Cooke, which is still debated almost 140 years later, caused more confusion and uncertainty at a critical time. How to "be quick" and bring packs? We have had many military veterans, both officers and enlisted, stating that this was one of the worst orders ever seen and virtually impossible to obey.

These ramblings are not my original thoughts but rather gems I have stolen from intelligent individuals who have published many articles and posts dealing with this seminal American event. I only hope I have made sense.
Regards
Dave

[lens]

The only issue I see is number 1. How long does that message take? Communications at the time are measured in hours and days and never guaranteed. I don't think Custer was even sure if his messages to Benteen got through. I think there was much more autonomy by necessity, than we have now. Some say Reno sent Custer messages that he had retreated, I have never seen anything, admittedly I am just starting down this road, that says the messages were received. I think we have to look at communications differently than we do. They were more of a hope and a prayer than anything. Martini had his horse shot but made it through but there was no confirmation back to Custer. I do not know how commanders decided that their messages were received other than being able to see their orders carried out. Of course this did not happen here. Did Custer leave men strung out along his route of advance to guide messengers and Benteen to the his position or to guard his rear or something else? I would think Custers scouts would know the terrain, it was Crow land so I think he knew the lay of the land. I have not read Fred's book on the timing, I would think Reno's retreat allowed more Indians to focus on Custer. If he had continued through instead of dismounting would he have caused enough confusion and panic to allow Custer to swing in from one of the other crossings? Or would have he met the same fate as Custer and we would have three individual battles that ended in catastrophic results. When Benteen got to the scene there was not much activity in the valley as Reno was already up the hill. If not for the shooting on the hill where would have Benteen gone? If Reno got wiped out, then Custer, Benteen would have been an easy mark because of the numbers, the new armament from the fallen soldiers, and the Indians would have been on a bloodlust high after two victories.

[crzhrs]

Dave: You may want to start another topic.

However, Custer's over riding fear was the Indians would get away before he could attack them. All your "mistakes" resulted from that fear.

In addition Custer had no concern about the size of the village, let alone number of warriors.

[benteen]

I understand that Libbie cared for her husband GAC, but I believe that she may have given speeches, gone on tours, wrote books etc about him out of perhaps necessity. From what I have read, Custer was a gambler and a poor one at that. His business ventures were a disaster and I believe left her in debt.

Be Well
Dan

[dave]

czrhrs
Did not mean to drift as I was just responding to lens comment that he thought Reno was slammed for his behavior and that he agreed with that belief.
Regards
Dave