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Post by bob1950 on Nov 23, 2021 18:04:14 GMT -6
After Benteen arrived at the hilltop I understand there were still numbers of Indians in the vicinity does anybody know if they were firing at the soldiers or taking pot shots?
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Post by Colt45 on Nov 23, 2021 21:58:44 GMT -6
At the time Benteen arrived at the hilltop, the hostiles were still down at the river, firing at the troops that were still coming up the hill. Later, upon return to the defensive position, you had hostiles on sharpshooter ridge and to the east and south of Reno and Benteen.
To answer your question, the hostiles were firing uphill when Benteen arrived. This firing probably could be classified as pot shots, but for the most part once they had chased Reno up the hill the threat to the south end of the village was over, so their fire would not have been heavy in volume.
That changed later in the day when they retreated back from Weir point, and most of the day of the 26th.
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Post by noggy on Nov 24, 2021 5:31:51 GMT -6
To answer your question, the hostiles were firing uphill when Benteen arrived. This firing probably could be classified as pot shots, but for the most part once they had chased Reno up the hill the threat to the south end of the village was over, so their fire would not have been heavy in volume. In addition most warriors left the valley around the time of Benteen's arrivaø, going after GAC's companies. So from the time Benteen arrived the soldiers would not have been under much fire to speak of. That of course would change drastically. Noggy
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Post by Yan Taylor on Nov 24, 2021 13:56:53 GMT -6
First thing Benteen did was form one of his companies into skirmish order, so there was still a threat in the valley.
Ian
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Post by noggy on Nov 24, 2021 14:18:14 GMT -6
First thing Benteen did was form one of his companies into skirmish order, so there was still a threat in the valley. Ian Indeed; there was actually a giant village in the valley Hypothetically; even if it had appeared all the NAs had left it would, I guess (never having led above platoon level), been procedure to deploy some sort of guard regardless if no enemies were in sight. Especially during this situation it would be buy the book. I think some stragglers were still comming up the hill. But for the most part the warriors had turned/were about to turn their attention towards GAC and soon after leaving North. At least I can't remember Benteen or any of his guys mentioning being or feeling they were in direct danger at this point. I am however often wrong. All the best, Geir
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Post by Yan Taylor on Nov 26, 2021 13:58:17 GMT -6
Could But Benteen see how big the village was from there, or could he see it at all. I think he just threw out a line just in case, better to be safe then sorry eh Geir.
Ian
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Post by bob1950 on Nov 26, 2021 17:47:12 GMT -6
Thanks everyone for your replies I remember reading somewhere that the Doctor took the wrong path to the top of the bluffs and was killed I assumed the warrior who shot him was firing from above him.
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Post by noggy on Nov 28, 2021 4:16:04 GMT -6
Thanks everyone for your replies I remember reading somewhere that the Doctor took the wrong path to the top of the bluffs and was killed I assumed the warrior who shot him was firing from above him. Not sure if this is established 100% either way. The testimonies from his death even disagree about whether he was scalped and not, so the location of his killer I would assume to also be difficult to establish. At the time I imagine the area was chaotic with warriors crossing the river at several places and times, going after the fleeing troopers all over the place. As a sidenote, I read through some of his diary from the days before the battle, and it was interesting to see him use the phrase "Wing". It was as far as I know officially not in use i 76 but obviously still lingered on in the field. (The only reason I mention this is that I can recall it being debated previously and I seldom think too much about DeWolf!) All the best, Noggy
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Post by Yan Taylor on Nov 28, 2021 13:40:20 GMT -6
I think the poor doctor gets a mention here linkHi Geir, he may have made a mistake with the Wings, unless Paul McCartney was with the regimental band I am sure the wing system got changed so you are quite right. Ian
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Post by noggy on Nov 28, 2021 14:48:52 GMT -6
I think the poor doctor gets a mention here linkHi Geir, he may have made a mistake with the Wings, unless Paul McCartney was with the regimental band I am sure the wing system got changed so you are quite right. Ian Well yes, but it seems that "off the books" the Wings were still regarded as a tangible (perhaps ab extremely wrong word) thing, even if officially not in use. He wrote for example: "Reno who commands my wing I cannot like but suppose acquaintance will improve perhaps when we understand each other". "I don't see much of Terry & Custer they go in advance & of course I go with my wing commander" Of course this may just be old phrases living on. Geir
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Post by Yan Taylor on Nov 29, 2021 15:00:53 GMT -6
I have got a copy of the wing system on word Geir, you are right that Reno had one wing and Benteen another, but I can't post it up here.
Ian
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Post by montrose on Nov 30, 2021 11:33:56 GMT -6
I have been off boards a few months, have 2 weeks before next deployment, any interesting topics?
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Post by Yan Taylor on Nov 30, 2021 13:45:48 GMT -6
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Post by Yan Taylor on Nov 30, 2021 13:46:18 GMT -6
I finally found it!
Ian
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Post by noggy on Nov 30, 2021 13:51:17 GMT -6
<button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> But is this "official"? Or how we The reason I ask is because I have read that the Wing system was discarded officially by 76, yet like the letters from DeWolf show, but seems like the term lived on at least among the troops. Geir
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