Post by desertlobster on Feb 6, 2009 11:39:57 GMT -6
and went north towards Custer,
1. What were the appropriate steps for Reno to take?
2. How long after Reno reached the hill did Benteen arrive? Did he arrive with the packs? The pack train was just arriving at the river as Benteen's horses finished watering.
3. What was the loss in wounded in the valley fight. I think 32 were killed, but how many would have to be looked after on the hill after the Indians let up the pressure on Reno to head to Custer. I would think the number is pretty low so you don't have the equivalent of much over a company of men out of commission between killed and moderately to seriously wounded. So between Reno and Benteen, you have 5 companies out of 6 that are still able to fight. It's pretty much the same strength as Custer. Leaving McDougall's company on the hill(and maybe one more company) to care for the wounded, protect the pack train, and man the fall back position, don't you at least try to figure out what the commotion is over where Custer went? Instead of waiting 2 hours(?) before being prodded(or shamed) into it by Weir. It seems like there were ample men to make a quick foray and also guard the hill.
4. You hear all this firing for an extended period of time and you know the pack train is not with Custer and you have the message about "bring packs", might you not think that Custer could run out of ammo with the obvious consequences, either not being able to finish off the Indians("Big Village") and have to discontinue the fight or something far worse, the troopers not being able to defend themselves.
5. Now when the Indians return to Reno Hill, any thoughts on whether Benteen's leadership and 4+ companies(Benteen's 3 and McDougall's and I assume some of the pack train guys were able to handle themselves) saved Reno's men from destruction? Didn't the skirmish line retreat in panic at one point and Benteen organized an attack to drive the Indians back?
6. Even with the pack train, what was the ammo situation like at the end of the Reno Hill fight? How many packers comprised the pack train?
1. What were the appropriate steps for Reno to take?
2. How long after Reno reached the hill did Benteen arrive? Did he arrive with the packs? The pack train was just arriving at the river as Benteen's horses finished watering.
3. What was the loss in wounded in the valley fight. I think 32 were killed, but how many would have to be looked after on the hill after the Indians let up the pressure on Reno to head to Custer. I would think the number is pretty low so you don't have the equivalent of much over a company of men out of commission between killed and moderately to seriously wounded. So between Reno and Benteen, you have 5 companies out of 6 that are still able to fight. It's pretty much the same strength as Custer. Leaving McDougall's company on the hill(and maybe one more company) to care for the wounded, protect the pack train, and man the fall back position, don't you at least try to figure out what the commotion is over where Custer went? Instead of waiting 2 hours(?) before being prodded(or shamed) into it by Weir. It seems like there were ample men to make a quick foray and also guard the hill.
4. You hear all this firing for an extended period of time and you know the pack train is not with Custer and you have the message about "bring packs", might you not think that Custer could run out of ammo with the obvious consequences, either not being able to finish off the Indians("Big Village") and have to discontinue the fight or something far worse, the troopers not being able to defend themselves.
5. Now when the Indians return to Reno Hill, any thoughts on whether Benteen's leadership and 4+ companies(Benteen's 3 and McDougall's and I assume some of the pack train guys were able to handle themselves) saved Reno's men from destruction? Didn't the skirmish line retreat in panic at one point and Benteen organized an attack to drive the Indians back?
6. Even with the pack train, what was the ammo situation like at the end of the Reno Hill fight? How many packers comprised the pack train?
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