|
|
Post by noggy on Jun 22, 2017 6:52:55 GMT -6
I have checked but not found a suitable thread, if there is one I apologize and would appreciate being directed there.
It often seems like the officers of the 7th were rather divided in regards to Custer. They are many times portrayed as either part of the Custer "Gang" or "Clan", or siding more with Benteen and others who thought little of the Lieutenant colonel. This polarizing way of thinking is of course way more black-or-white than what is the case when many individuals are working together, as it does not open for any nuance or middle ground. I guess it is easier as so many authors and scholars themselves tend to be very anti- or pro-Custer and thus labeling is a convenient way to categorize people. Yet there is no denying that Custer both disliked and was disliked intensely by certain members of the 7th, and held others in a mutual high esteem. My question is if we know what kind of working relationship Custer and 2nd Lieutenant James Sturgis had? Was there any thumbs up or down regarding their relationship at all?
It would be easy to think that the ever ambitious Custer saw James Sturgis, the son of a man who held the post he surely would have liked to hold himself (or was he content with leading the regiment de facto in the field?), as some sort of rival or unwanted extension of Colonel Samuel Sturgis. But James Sturgis rode with Custer, maybe being killed at For B or perhaps most likely at the SSL. I therefor assume they were if not directly friendly, at least on good terms, since Custer brought him along? As far as I remember, Sturgis Jr was wearing the buckskin which was favored by Custer and co, but maybe that was a much more general clothing than exclusive to the Custer and friends-group I have tended to believe? So do we know what their relationship was like?
A follow-up question: Amongst the staff accompanying Custer when he went North from Battle Ridge, were any of the staff officers known to be (in lack of a better word) "anti-Custer", or was it a big bunch of his most trusted best buddies?
|
|
|
|
Post by montrose on Jun 22, 2017 7:51:31 GMT -6
1. LTC Sturgis and 2LT Sturgis barely knew each other. 2LT Sturgis graduated USMA in Jun 75, and was assigned to Company M. LTC Custer was conducting personal business on the east cost from Sep 75 to May 76.
In general, regimental commanders are not close to junior lieutenants.
2. LTC Custer was obviously close to his staff. He had been with Cooke more than a decade, and CPT Custer was his brother. Custer also hired another brother and a nephew as civilian staff. In previous campaigns he had hired his father.
|
|
|
|
Post by crzhrs on Jun 22, 2017 10:21:57 GMT -6
Noggy: Very interesting that you have picked up on who was with Custer and who wasn't. Doesn't it seem unusual that the two most "anti-Custer" officers were not with Custer (Reno/Benteen) while most of the pro-Custer officers were with him?
Reno was sent off with the promise of support of the entire command while Benteen was sent off on a "scout" with no scouts, no medical personal and with vague orders.
All those officers and/or others who died on LSH were either related to Custer or were close "buds" of him.
Sturgis' father was outraged at what happened to his son and never knowing if his body was recovered and/or recognized.
Nepotism was very rampant during that time and while it may have given Custer confidence of what he was doing, sometimes you don't need a "Yes Man" but someone like Benteen who questioned what Custer was doing.
Right or wrong, Benteen may have realized the 7th was in over its head but couldn't convince Custer. Custer may have been more hard-headed and or "I'll show you Benteen" when he made his decision which as we know ended up being a catastrophe.
|
|
|
|
Post by edavids on Jun 22, 2017 14:22:20 GMT -6
I get rhe impression that all the company commanders were buds of his with the possible exceptions of Algernon Smirh; an infantry officer by trade, and Myles Keogh who was more neutral toward Custer. Remember the 'I saved a seat next to me by the fire you old man' when addressing Benteen the night of June 24.
I could be wriong but will stick to my guns till proven otherwise.
|
|
|
|
Post by noggy on Jun 22, 2017 18:54:33 GMT -6
1. LTC Sturgis and 2LT Sturgis barely knew each other. 2LT Sturgis graduated USMA in Jun 75, and was assigned to Company M. LTC Custer was conducting personal business on the east cost from Sep 75 to May 76. In general, regimental commanders are not close to junior lieutenants. 2. LTC Custer was obviously close to his staff. He had been with Cooke more than a decade, and CPT Custer was his brother. Custer also hired another brother and a nephew as civilian staff. In previous campaigns he had hired his father. I forgot the fact that James Sturgis was the newbie in the lot, even though actually I knew he was the youngest or next youngest (language barrier alert combined with the fact that I don`t want to "cheat" and look up in Fred Wagner`s book) amongst the officers. Slip of thought/memory. |
|
|
|
Post by noggy on Jun 22, 2017 19:10:50 GMT -6
Noggy: Very interesting that you have picked up on who was with Custer and who wasn't. Doesn't it seem unusual that the two most "anti-Custer" officers were not with Custer (Reno/Benteen) while most of the pro-Custer officers were with him? I have taken it for granted that Custer`s "enemies within" were placed away from him, but I wondered if he maybe looked beyond grudge in some cases and kept people with him even though they might have disagreed with/disliked him. Like Montrose wrote, the two mentioned in my topic probably did not know each other at all- if Custer keeping him with him meant anything at all I dont`t know. On a personal note; during my time in the Army, my chain of command consisted of people who could almost hate each other personally, but knew that the other guy was good at what he did. And it worked. A competent a-hole is still competent in the field etc. |
|
|
|
Post by montrose on Jun 23, 2017 5:45:57 GMT -6
Now let's look at a political game.
The senior officer of Company E was 1LT Derudio. DeRudio was incompetent,the worst officer in the regiment.
It was a standard procedure to adjust officer assignments from garrison to the field force, for the duration of the campaign. GAC used this to replace a problem child.
DeRudio flipped jobs with Smith, of Company A. This company had a CPT in charge, so minimizing DeRudio. Sturgis was moved from M to E, to assist Smith. This left M with one officer, the very competent CPT French.
DeRudio appealed this decision to Terry, who denied it.
|
|
|
|
Post by benteen on Jun 23, 2017 16:06:42 GMT -6
Now let's look at a political game. The senior officer of Company E was 1LT Derudio. DeRudio was incompetent,the worst officer in the regiment. It was a standard procedure to adjust officer assignments from garrison to the field force, for the duration of the campaign. GAC used this to replace a problem child. DeRudio flipped jobs with Smith, of Company A. This company had a CPT in charge, so minimizing DeRudio. Sturgis was moved from M to E, to assist Smith. This left M with one officer, the very competent CPT French. DeRudio appealed this decision to Terry, who denied it. Colonel Montrose, Your post is spot on. In fact Custer said this about DeRudio when he appealed his decision to Terry Custer believed him to be a "confirmed grumbler and a natural conspirator...the inferior of every first lieutenant in this regiment" (Klokner, The Officer Corps of Custers..Pg 58) Be Well Dan |
|
|
|
Post by dave on Jun 24, 2017 9:35:31 GMT -6
Custer had many flaws and quirks but he did not hold a grudge. He had no choice as to having Reno and Benteen in the regiment and in his own inimitable manner attempted to weld them into his command. With Benteen he tried to impress with his past accomplishments and conquests which failed miserably. Custer accepted Reno and kept him at arm's length.
Sturgis had little respect or use for Custer, probably in part due to jealously, and must have been a little uncomfortable with his son being on the summer campaign. Knowing that Custer had always been adept at ingratiating himself with his superiors I am sure he tried this with Sturgis but to no effect.
Noggy, I want to congratulate you on your use of English which is better than my own. You have obviously studied this battle and its participants and have a secure grasp on much of what happened. I have failed to welcome you for which I apologize for my poor manners.
Regards
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by noggy on Jun 25, 2017 11:05:24 GMT -6
Noggy, I want to congratulate you on your use of English which is better than my own. You have obviously studied this battle and its participants and have a secure grasp on much of what happened. I have failed to welcome you for which I apologize for my poor manners. Regards Dave That`s way too kind, but thank you nevertheless. |
|
