Post by fred on Nov 15, 2007 8:30:08 GMT -6
There is a good chance Custer looked over the Ford B area from this ridge...
... as a brass cartridge case, consistent with those used by Custer, was found there. It is also likely-- from Indian testimony-- that the Gray Horse Troop (E Company) of 1LT Algernon Smith was positioned below that knoll closer to the river.
From what we surmise from the actions that followed, there was sharp but scant resistance, probably from some 20 to 40 warriors.
* Cheyenne (probably at least 10):
• Bobtail Horse
• Roan Bear
• Buffalo Calf
• Big Nose
• Mad Wolf (he was an old man)
• White Shield (not there initially, but joined them a few minutes later)
• Rising Sun
• Hanging Wolf
• Young Little Wolf (he first saw Custer in MTC, which should put him near the ford)
• American Horse (the Cheyenne chief, returning from the Reno fight where he was not one of those crossing the LBH)
• Possibly Pawnee, Wooden Thigh, Yellow Horse, and Horse Road, who were camp guards.
* Sioux (thought to be around 4 or 5 in number):
• White Cow Bull (Oglala)
• Shave Elk (Oglala): Possibly at Ford B. A member of Big Road’s Northern band of Oglala Sioux, Shave Elk and 4 others were riding up MTC when they saw Custer’s column coming at them. They rode back down, crossed at Ford B, and it is not unreasonable—though not certain—that 1 or more of them stayed to help defend the ford. If they all stayed—and I think that is equally unlikely— then it would explain the various commentaries about 4 or 5 Sioux being at the ford. Yellow Nose, a Ute/Cheyenne, may have been another.
Once his reconnaissance was complete, Custer ordered Smith's company back away and head either for the high ground to the north-- using the coulee system-- or he instructed Smith to re-join him on the knoll and the command moved back toward a re-uniting with Keogh's battalion. Many of the E Company men dismounted, leading their horses on foot...
If Custer also moved into Deep Coulee, this is what he was facing...
Their immediate goal was the high ground to the north, just beyond the coulee.
From here, Custer would decide to drop off Keogh's battalion once again and move farther north, seeking a suitable ford below the fleeing Indian families.
This is just one scenario of what could have happened. Any others are welcomed, indeed, encouraged.
Best wishes,
Fred.
... as a brass cartridge case, consistent with those used by Custer, was found there. It is also likely-- from Indian testimony-- that the Gray Horse Troop (E Company) of 1LT Algernon Smith was positioned below that knoll closer to the river.
From what we surmise from the actions that followed, there was sharp but scant resistance, probably from some 20 to 40 warriors.
* Cheyenne (probably at least 10):
• Bobtail Horse
• Roan Bear
• Buffalo Calf
• Big Nose
• Mad Wolf (he was an old man)
• White Shield (not there initially, but joined them a few minutes later)
• Rising Sun
• Hanging Wolf
• Young Little Wolf (he first saw Custer in MTC, which should put him near the ford)
• American Horse (the Cheyenne chief, returning from the Reno fight where he was not one of those crossing the LBH)
• Possibly Pawnee, Wooden Thigh, Yellow Horse, and Horse Road, who were camp guards.
* Sioux (thought to be around 4 or 5 in number):
• White Cow Bull (Oglala)
• Shave Elk (Oglala): Possibly at Ford B. A member of Big Road’s Northern band of Oglala Sioux, Shave Elk and 4 others were riding up MTC when they saw Custer’s column coming at them. They rode back down, crossed at Ford B, and it is not unreasonable—though not certain—that 1 or more of them stayed to help defend the ford. If they all stayed—and I think that is equally unlikely— then it would explain the various commentaries about 4 or 5 Sioux being at the ford. Yellow Nose, a Ute/Cheyenne, may have been another.
Once his reconnaissance was complete, Custer ordered Smith's company back away and head either for the high ground to the north-- using the coulee system-- or he instructed Smith to re-join him on the knoll and the command moved back toward a re-uniting with Keogh's battalion. Many of the E Company men dismounted, leading their horses on foot...
If Custer also moved into Deep Coulee, this is what he was facing...
Their immediate goal was the high ground to the north, just beyond the coulee.
From here, Custer would decide to drop off Keogh's battalion once again and move farther north, seeking a suitable ford below the fleeing Indian families.
This is just one scenario of what could have happened. Any others are welcomed, indeed, encouraged.
Best wishes,
Fred.