|
Post by cefil on Oct 4, 2009 10:29:21 GMT -6
'Be quick. Brings packs. P.S. Bring pac(k)s.' is clearly showing an emphasis on the packs (presumably extra ammo packs), and not on speed alone, as the misquoted 'Come quick' implies. After diligent research in the bowels of 19th Century arcana, I am pleased to announce the final resolution of this thorny (yet weighty) issue. According to Al Hasrad in his Necronomicon of the Plains: An Hussarian Terminology (Desperation Press: 1878), "PS" did not have the same meaning to a cavalry officer in Custer's day that it has for us today. Instead of meaning post script ("after all the other writing is done"), to a cavalryman like Custer, Cooke, or Benteen it meant postus speedicus, meaning "post [or 'make use of'] all quickness in carrying out what I'm about to tell you." Thus endeth this controversy. We now know beyond the shadow of a doubt, using impeccable original sources produced prior to the critical RCOI cutoff for reliability, that the note indubitably told Benteen to use all quickness in bringing the packs from where they were to where Custer was. In other words, Benteen was told to "Come Quick." You're welcome. cefil
|
|
|
Post by BrokenSword on Oct 4, 2009 12:16:07 GMT -6
cefil... cefil... cefil (of all people)
Get thee to the Nut House.
BruteusSustainous
|
|
|
Post by cefil on Oct 4, 2009 15:06:25 GMT -6
It's even better than that...for the next few days, I get to get me to [Dear Old] Kansas. (Though much to my chagrin--with an emphasis on the grin--I won't make it out to far Western Kansas, where dc lives.)
cefil
|
|
|
Post by zekesgirl on Oct 4, 2009 16:25:02 GMT -6
nononono, do not be sticking us with DC. We don't deserve him.
clicker of the ruby slippers
|
|
|
Post by tonypag7 on Oct 9, 2009 13:32:40 GMT -6
We must remember that the message (written one) was sent as a follow-up to Kanipe's message wherein he was told to instruct Benteen to come on to Custer quick with the packs--and if the packs come loose, don't stop to fix them, but cut them off. Now to me that is a commander telling his subordinate to hurry the hell up and get here asap--don't even stop to fix the packs.--Now if that's not exigent, I don't know what is! Benteen was being told twice to hurry his a-- up and get here now!
|
|
|
Post by Dark Cloud on Oct 9, 2009 13:59:43 GMT -6
Kanipe's tale changed, and the part about dropping the boxes and leaving them appeared way late, like Martin's reupholstering of his story. It would make no sense to leave ammo boxes strewn around for the enemy to use, and it was going back for a single box the day before that initiated the early attack. Opening a 'share' program with the Sioux would not have been bright, and it's to be doubted an officer would suggest that. It's likely just the added detail of an old man to his story.
You don't know - nobody can - that Martin's message was a followup other than likely sequential in time. Custer may not have known Kanipe had been sent. Martin was unaware of Kanipe and his earlier mission, and Martin was right there with Custer's headquarters. Kanipe got his orders from TWC who may have received them from his brother or who may have anticipated the need for packs. Or, as some suggest, Kanipe bolted. Kanipe had no message for Benteen other than to ask for the train.
Further, Kanipe's message as he later recalled it was more demanding of action than the later note, which didn't imply danger at all to Benteen, Weir, or Edgerly or anyone not utilizing hindsight. Atop all, Kanipe doesn't seem to have reported to either officer with the train, anyway, and if he did they didn't follow his instructions, although it would have taken them longer if they didn't follow the land.
|
|
|
Post by crzhrs on Oct 10, 2009 10:52:47 GMT -6
I agree with DC's on the Kanipe "messenger" issue.
Kanipe said TC ordered him to go back for the packs and IF he saw Benteen to tell him to come to. And Kanipe gave the impression that Custer was about to ride through the village. Apparently there was no urgency in finding Benteen and getting him to be quick.
As for Martini I don't believe he even knew Kanipe left. So it may have been TC taking matters into his own hands. Martini also stated the village seemed deserted and there was no imminent danger.
|
|