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Post by Dark Cloud on Jul 15, 2006 13:13:15 GMT -6
I don't disagree, but I think all the orders/instructions were pretty bad, given that astute military vets disagree over their specific intent and meaning to this day.
Custer WAS given discretion if he thought it best, although the unstated is that he'd have to have a damned good reason to do so. I have no proof, but I don't think Custer was so glory hungry that he'd risk an all or nothing. If that's the case, what would be his good reasons for heading west?
There are three, I think, in aggregate. One, this huge trail (he was unaware of the other heading north on the west of the LGH) and reports they'd seen Indians and the relative surety they'd seen him and would report it.
Two, is the damned pack train. It was a disaster and not getting better. IF Custer continued south till the Wolf Mountains tuckered out, headed west and then north (following that as yet unknown trail), it would be about two or three days and that train would fall apart by then, perhaps supplying the enemy with ammo and food, especially given the .....
...three, alkali water which could be suspected to extend a ways south, increasingly undrinkable.
So, opportunity, relieve the train, water in aggregate may have suggested the wisdom of the move given surprise (which he achieved, somehow) and sufficient numbers (not there anyhow).
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Post by mcaryf on Jul 15, 2006 15:39:09 GMT -6
Hi DC
Taking your three reasons for Custer to disregard Terry's plan -
Why would the water be more alkali to the South? Terry's suggestion related to the headwaters of the Tongue - surely water is in better condition the nearer you get to the headwaters.
Do you not think the train would actually improve with experience rather than deteriorate?
Finally the trail going towards LBH was already a given in Terry's orders so I do not see why you give it some sort of additional weight.
Regards
Mike
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Post by Dark Cloud on Jul 15, 2006 16:00:39 GMT -6
They aren't drinking from the Tongue drainage, though. Getting to its headwaters was an option and a long ways. Terry's expedition was the first exclusive military pack mule train in the district, having used wagons before. Not a lot of experience, but they started off badly and after days of great heat and small water and with the train strung out for miles, it looked pretty grim, I'd think. Knowledge might arise but in reverse proportion to physical ability to perform.
I don't give the trail additional weight to what was known, just saying if I had to formulate decent reasons why Custer headed west, I think those three might have played the role in aggregate. Don't know. But once Custer headed west having exercised his 'escape' clause, as it were, Terry is off the hook and it's all on Custer.
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Post by AZ Ranger on Jul 15, 2006 16:40:54 GMT -6
Only if all the handlers were all experienced and the mules were the ones that needed improving. Some problems might require rest which wasn't going to happen and could get aggravated over time. Sore backs and short tempers don't improve over time.
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