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Post by yanmacca on Apr 15, 2018 19:19:44 GMT
Very true, distance is the key here because cavalry would be at their most vulnerable as they mount up, so getting away before they close on you is vital. But D Company was the closest company to the Indians and Edgerly mentions about hostiles being a mere fifteen yards from him as his mounted his horse as incoming rounds whizzed at them, this was when Vincent Charley got hit. The Reno charge out of the timber was also done in haste, didn't G Company move out last and suffered the most casualties in the move to Reno Hill? I have tried to put pen to maps again and show what could have happened on BRE. The first map shows how the Indians could have occupied all the dead ground to the north and maybe even north east, but stayed low because of companies holding the high ground. The second map shows how empty the place looks without those three companies and easily it would have been for the Indians to fill the void. Some Indian accounts say that groups soldiers fell back from the ford in disarray and I would be surprised if bands like the suicide boys took advantage of the lack of covering fire caused by the fleeing of these three companies to hit E Company from behind.
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azranger
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Post by azranger on Apr 20, 2018 10:52:01 GMT
I would like to see in Reno's, Benteen's, or Edgerly's testimony that Weir actually went to Reno and Benteen and held a conversation. Edgerly states he had a conversation with Weir. I think Weir was not out of control and only went as far as he needed to go to see what was coming toward Reno/Benteen. Reno should have ordered someone to be there even if it were a couple of scouts. Edgerly was thinking they were going to Custer but didn't it bother him the Weir was remaining behind on Weir Peaks?
WP is a great observation post for either forward movement or defense. Edgerly went past that point and moved lower out of the better observation advantage of WP. That would indicate to me he was attempting to advance to Custer. Weir recalled Edgerly and never attempted to join Edgerly. Weir seems to me to be in control of thoughts. He went to the best observation place around and he did not join his company on a suicide mission to go to Custer.
Reno should have sent someone early on to do what Weir did in my opinion. The number of soldiers or scouts TBD.
Regards
Steve
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azranger
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Post by azranger on Apr 20, 2018 12:46:29 GMT
Edgerly testifies that he discussed with Weir about going to Custer with just thier company. He testifies that Weir to him he would go and ask permission but later tells Edgerly that he never asked permission. Edgerly states he left without orders assuming Weir had obtained permission. Edgerly testifies that when he got back to WP he saw Hare talking to Weir. He also saw some of the other companies. Edgerly testifies that he left around 30-35 after arriving on RH. 10 minutes later when he moves to WP he sees Hare talking to Weir and sees Benteen on WP.
Hare testifies he was sent by Reno to tell Weir to open communications with Custer. Hare testifies he did that and Edgerly sees Hare talking with Weir on WP when he returns.
In order for Hare and Benteen to be there when Edgerly returns they would have had to leave RH within the 10 minute difference between Edgerly leaving RH and seeing them on his return to WP.
Regards
AZ Ranger
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Post by yanmacca on Apr 20, 2018 15:04:31 GMT
Steve, did Edgerly take D Company down Cedar Coulee? I am sure he picked up a trail and this led him towards CC.
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azranger
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Post by azranger on Apr 21, 2018 12:13:35 GMT
Ian
I believe that Edgerly followed Custer's trail. I think Wier could see Indians in adjacent coulees and had Edgerly move and return. So Edgerly could have went down Middle and returned Cedar and that would be my best guess and current opinion. I would have the Indians coming from either Thompson crossing or Ford B area. The Real Birds ride is close to what I think the Indians would have done. You can move up the bluffs to WP staying close to the river so they could move west of West Coulee and cross to engage wherever they liked. The key is that they were visible to Weir but not to Edgerly who was most likely below or at the military crest while moving toward MTC.
I believe that Custer started down Cedar Coulee along WP. Just as you pass it to the left is the loaf which is a long ridge adjacent Cedar Coulee. Right at the junction of the loaf with WP is a natural crossing point to the west. I think Middle Coulee is where Custer went to MTC. I don't buy SSR because it is to far away with many available travel corridors with cover and concealment closer to the Big Village.
Martin states he cut across country to reach the route he went down. There is no way he could cut across country to reach SSR. So he could have cut accross West Coulee or Middle if you believe it was Cedar Coulee but at the lower end SSR would make no sense to move that far away from the Big Village. It helps the Peter Thompson account since it is closer to the river.
We have ridden down SSR, Cedar Coulee, and Middle Coulee and Middle Coulee makes sense to me but we had no trouble riding down Cedar Coulee either. SSR is easiest to travel on the top but I don't think Custer would want to be that exposed. We also rode east of SSR and out in the middle of nowhere I found a golf ball. I now have two potential reasons for Custer's delay. Playing golf or eating at the Subway.
Regards
Steve
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Post by yanmacca on Apr 21, 2018 14:37:52 GMT
I remember posting this up a while ago, it shows the various coulees which serve MTC. I must admit, I have never thought of middle coulee as a thoroughfare and used by Custer. I wonder if the reason was to reach the higher ground on the other side of MTC and which coulee would get him there the fastest. But could he see the potential for a move to Nye-Cartwright and Luce from the bluffs?
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Post by yanmacca on Jun 6, 2019 18:16:55 GMT
Just got rid of two more fake posts
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Post by Beth on Jun 9, 2019 21:04:16 GMT
Just got rid of two more fake posts Unfortunately this has become a problem lately so now you must be a member to post
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