Post by conz on Jul 11, 2009 7:07:42 GMT -6
Clair, can you identify these other buckets accounts at the ford other than Richard Realbird? If these buckets are soldier cartridges then common sense says that there were a lot of soldiers at the edge of the ford and if so then crossing the river would be relatively easy and there would be soldiers on the other side as well.
He is the only one I recall claiming cartridges lying all over the ground right near the ford, but certainly many cartridges and cavalry accoutrements have been found upslope a ways, in the "Butler Ridge" area, along with several bodies. Of course, many witness accounts describe fighting around the MTC ford, specifically, and PVT Thompson also watched quite a bit of firing at the ford. [/quote]
And if there was a significant attack at MTF, combined with Curley's 2 volley possible signal west of Calhoun ridge, and Two Moon's account of flags and then three separated columns of fours, then I would have to look closely at any theory involving a Custer coordinated and planned 2 company attack at MTF and 3 companies moving to battle ridge with 2 or all 3 companies going to ford D. Although it seems like another Two Moons' account places the troops coming over/behind cemetery ridge which would put them in the north ravine and gravel pit area headed to ford D. The two companies in retreat from MTF would go up over and either on top of or on the Deep Coulee side of Butler Ridge (which is in the middle of MTC & Deep Coulee) retreating back to Luce and then NC ridges.
bc
bc
All possible. I myself don't think any volleys were signals...no need to waste ammo early in the situation, probably before there was any "emergency." And if it WAS an emergency, those "signals" would have been aimed at somebodies. <g>
Clair