Ranger Mike Donahue's Battle Theory

[breeze]

While visiting the "Friends of LBH" web site, I saw a reference to a possible new variation on the interpretation of the battle - by NPS seasonal ranger [15 years] Mike Donahue.

Does anyone know anything about this ? I suspect that it might have to do with the number of Indian casualties now being identified and marked on the battlefield.

Perhaps it was not quite the total chaos we previously thought and there were almost as many Indians casualties as 7th Cav. - but this is only speculation.

Given Mr. Donahue's experience [ he is mentioned several times in the new book by Brust, Pohanka and Barnard] I would tend to give it serious consideration.

Any Help?

Thanks

[Tricia]

I had the opportunity to talk to Mike last month at the battlefield and he's working on two books. One is a book of maps of the battlefield, from which he began on his theory of Ford D, and the other is going to be a strict narrative of the battle. In past lectures to the CBHMA, he has mentioned the importance of the Cheyenne suicide boys, but I am most fascinated by his work on the action at Ford D and how that fits into casings found at the cemetary, though I'm not sure whether Custer sent a company there out of desperation to garner hostages or out of continued confidence--meaning--sealing off a fleeing village.

I am convinced that when Donahue's books come out, they will provide a fresh analysis to Custer's fight. I, for one, can't wait to read them.

Regards,
Leyton McLean

[Diane Merkel]

Superintendent Cook also mentioned in his remarks on June 25 that he would like to move forward with the identification of the Indian dead. I got the impression that he would agree with your speculation, breeze.

[FullSail]

Donahue has written two CBHMA Symposium articles as well as several articles for the Greasy Grass. Most of which pertains to Col. Gibbon's route through the Custer Battlefield, the Ford D Episode, discussed by Fox, a new view on the times of the battle. A couple of friends and I talked with him last summer while we were at the LBH and he briefly explained some of his theories and pointed out positions. He is a very personable guy and has some great theories.

[herosrest]

^Ducemus

The trouble with hostages.

The trouble with history.

Where the Rivers Ran Red: The Indian Fights of George A. Custer (San Juan Publishing), is the only volume that holistically explores all four of Custer’s fights in detail and how they altered Custer’s “Last Stand.” The book is the result of 45 years of research as well as the author’s 29 years of access to the battlefield and archives as a seasonal ranger at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Where the Rivers Ran Red.

An unfinished title. Where rivers ran red, white and blue is aptly apt. (Lilac)

[yarnnelg]

I watched You Tube Indian eye witness videos last night. Forget the Chief's Name...he explained there was so much dust and smoke that there were many Indian friendly fire casualties. Considering the Indians had tried to sugar coat what happened, I lean toward somewhat unreliable information there.

[noggy]

Jun 8, 2020 21:01:02 GMT -6 yarnnelg said:

I watched You Tube Indian eye witness videos last night. Forget the Chief's Name...he explained there was so much dust and smoke that there were many Indian friendly fire casualties. Considering the Indians had tried to sugar coat what happened, I lean toward somewhat unreliable information there.

Hi

I never got that impression from their testimonies. Felt the Native testimonies are rather honest about mistakes being made. There are mentions of dead warriors with arrows in them (of course, this could also be the result of being hit post mortem), mounted warriors colliding in the dust, the Arapaho who lanced (the right word/verb?) a Sioux etc. Even instances that weren`t clear cut frinedly fire were mentioned, like Wooden Leg assuming Lame White Man was killed by the Sioux. When using arrows for indirect fire on an area that`s coated in dust ad gun smoke, which is also being infiltrated by your own guys, clearly some had to be hit by friendly fire. If there`s one thing that never changes in war, it`s that mistakes happen.

All the best,
Noggy