Did Custer know of Reno´s retreat

[ulan]

or not?

Is it confirmed in any way that Custer had the overview on Reno´s bad success by charging the indian village?

If Custer attacking the indian tepees at around 4:00 o'clock p. m., or was attacked by the indians in that time frame, did he really know that Reno was unable to hold his positions and was in the process of retreating from 3:30 on?

[quincannon]

The answer is possibly, probably, maybe, perhaps not, take you pick depending upon how you interpret surrounding events and what few strains of testimony remain and their truthfullness. By 4:00 PM Reno retreating was the least of Custer's concerns.

[fred]

Apr 28, 2012 12:34:19 GMT -6 @ulan said:

Is it confirmed in any way that Custer had the overview on Reno´s bad success by charging the indian village?

If Custer attacking the indian tepees at around 4:00 o'clock p. m., or was attacked by the indians in that time frame, did he really know that Reno was unable to hold his positions and was in the process of retreating from 3:30 on?

Ulan,

This is a very good example of why I keep stressing how extremely important it is students of this battle understand the timing of various events. Without knowing "when" certain actions took place, a whole different and distorted view will be treated as "fact."

In the two times you quote above, by 4 PM, Custer was way to the north and only a few hundred yards from where he would die, and at 3:30, Reno had already reached the hilltop and had been joined by Benteen.

I believe-- based on the timing work I have done-- Custer knew of Reno's troubles, but not of the full extent. That was the main problem. Plus, he only found out when he was already on Luce Ridge.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[ulan]

Apr 28, 2012 13:26:56 GMT -6 fred said:

Ulan,

This is a very good example of why I keep stressing how extremely important it is students of this battle understand the timing of various events. Without knowing "when" certain actions took place, a whole different and distorted view will be treated as "fact."

In the two times you quote above, by 4 PM, Custer was way to the north and only a few hundred yards from where he would die, and at 3:30, Reno had already reached the hilltop and had been joined by Benteen.

I believe-- based on the timing work I have done-- Custer knew of Reno's troubles, but not of the full extent. That was the main problem. Plus, he only found out when he was already on Luce Ridge.

Best wishes,
Fred.

Did you post your timing work here somewhere and can you link me to it ?

I am sorry for my noob questions. This board is full of interesting information and i spent allready a lot of time trying to find the infos i am looking for. Probably it is all writen somewhere but in the moment i am unable to find it.

[quincannon]

Ulan: Page 4 of Was Custer Trying to get massacred thread, an exerpt from Fred's new book.

[fred]

Apr 28, 2012 14:04:56 GMT -6 @ulan said:

I am sorry for my noob questions.

Ulan,

Don't worry about it... ask away Most of us are delighted to answer your questions.

Best wishes,
Fred.