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Post by elisabeth on Feb 14, 2006 7:24:08 GMT -6
In Benteen's July 25th 1876 letter to his wife (p. 150 in Benteen-Goldin Letters, p. 188 in Graham) he heads the letter "12.30 P.M." -- and then says, "Just one month ago -- today -- at just about this time of day [my emphasis], Genl. Custer and his command commenced the attack on the indian village -- one short half hour finished -- I think -- that five Co's."
The "one short half hour" part may or may not be wishful thinking on his part. But the time he gives for the start of the attack is possibly interesting ... ? Graham (with Godfrey) seems to reckon Reno's attack went in at 2.15/2.30. Gray has Reno at Ford A at 3.05. Others have other timings, but few -- apart from the Indians -- as early as Benteen's.
Is this significant? Of course we can't discount the possibility that he's talking military time (Chicago? St. Paul?) rather than sun time; or that his "commenced the attack" refers to when he saw E Troop galloping off just as he began his scout (though the latter's improbable given the "half hour" claim.) Or ... has he let something slip?
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bhist
Full Member
Posts: 221
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Post by bhist on Feb 14, 2006 12:50:38 GMT -6
Maybe Benteen was imagining the moment Custer divided his forces. Custer sent Benteen off on his scout about that time.
If I were Benteen and I started my forces on the scout and I looked behind me and saw Reno and Custer moving on, I would consider that the beginning of the battle to come, especially in hindsight.
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Post by Melani on Feb 14, 2006 13:10:06 GMT -6
So how long did the whole thing take? (Oh, yeah, like I really expect a definitive answer!) I have always thought that Custer's actual egagement was about half an hour, based on Indian testimony. What does other evidence show?
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Post by crzhrs on Feb 14, 2006 13:20:46 GMT -6
We have to decide when actually fighting and/or firing took place with Custer as opposed to the "final" fighting.
It may have been 1-2 hours from the first firing to Custer's end . . . but the actually finishing off Custer and men on LSH (if he was still alive) may have been 1/2 or less.
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Post by crzhrs on Feb 14, 2006 13:23:04 GMT -6
Can we assume Benteen was sent off on his mission at 12:30 and by the time of Reno's charge the time may have been 2:15-2:30 . . . or is that too much of a gap between Benteen's orders and Reno's.
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