Post by deadwoodgultch on Jul 17, 2015 20:40:52 GMT
Custer's officers. I am going to pick on a few officers here. I will not list sources here, nor will I list all info on officers, I will also not list all officers studied. I will admit a negative approach here. The interesting thing about many of the junior officers engaged at LBH is that they went on to have wonderful careers, including General Officers.
Below I will besmirch a few.
Yates, George Wilhelmus Mancius began his career with the 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, appointed 1st Lt. in Sept./62. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Met Custer while recuperating in Michigan. Custer got him appointed to Pleasanton's staff where he spent the rest of the war, even after Pleasanton was removed from command of cavalry. He spent the rest of the war as Pleasanton's aid in St. Louis. Married twice, a bit of a philanderer and social climber. Was at Washita, then spent several years on reconstruction duty in Kentucky. Was constantly drunk on Yellowstone Expedition, and lost more than $400.00 gambling on the trip. He supposedly redeemed himself on BH expedition. Not much real NA fighting here.
Weir, Thomas Benton Decent ACW record, although one of his promotions(to captain) was given while he was a prisoner of war. After the war he did not participate in Hancock expedition, he was Libbie's escort in Custer's absence. Some rumors say that this may have lead to "Custer's mad dash across Kansas" He did participate in the Washita. He was an extremely heavy drinker who was recommended for discharge in 1869 due to reduction in size of Army. Minimal NA experience.
Smith, Algernon Emory "Fresh" applied for disability retirement for injury to arm, until he found he could not live on disability pay, in 1870. Later that year he was recommended to the Benzine review boards for discharge, by Col. Sturgis. Could he have been a malingerer? NA experience?
Keogh, Miles Walter probably a quality officer, although he habitually known to drink too much. Interestingly he was probably the one who introduced Custer to Garry Owen, the 7th's Battle song. Some say he was a favorite of Custer others dispute. One thing is for sure he had very little experience fighting NA's. Missed Washita, was on Reconstruction duty 1871-73. During Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions, he was absent doing The Northern Boundary Survey.
Crittenden, John Jordon Bounced out of West Point in June 1874. Family petitioned Grant for a commission, it was granted. He joined the 20th infantry in Oct./75 10 days later a shotgun shell exploded causing the loss of an eye. Daddy pulled another sting and got John a commission with the 7th in May of 76, a month later he was dead, the only NA experience he would ever get.
Custer, Thomas Ward yes he of the two MOH, which he received for capturing two battle flags from a barefooted, defeated, demoralized enemy. Was he brave or reckless? I opt for the latter, it may run in the family. A habitual heavy drinker and gambler who reportedly fathered several children in Ohio. Another smart thing was to end up trying to stand up to Wild Bill in 1869 while drunk. Was however involved in Washita, Yellowstone, and Black Hills prior to LBH. He worshiped his brother was a kiss-up and a yes man.
There is much more but it is a start.
I know you can't put together an officer cadre like you can a fantasy football team, but here are 3 more.
McIntosh, Donald "Tosh" - Half Native American descendent of Red Jacket, of the Six Nations. Moved to DC in 1861 and served as Chief Clerk of Col. Daniel Rucker and spent the rest of the war there. Joined the 7th August 17, 1867. Missed Washita, on sick leave. Fitness report by Col. Sturgis, " Eminently inefficient through extreme indifference to his official duties, giving him the appearance of desiring to render the smallest possible, compatible with absolute security of his commission. If he were an enlisted man he would pass as a malingerer."
French, Thomas Henry "Tucker" - Enlisted in the 10th infantry in January 1864. Fought in the siege of Petersburg and battles to wrap up the war. After the war he remained in the infantry until January 1, 1871, when he joined the 7th. He was a crack shot, probably the best in the regiment. Saved the units bacon on August 11, 1873 (Yellowstone Expedition), when in command of 2 companies. He kept the Sioux from crossing a river and closing on the whole regiment, while vastly out numbered. Participated in Black Hills expedition. Was as important in saving Reno's bacon as Benteen was through his actions on the 26th and 27th of June 1876. His bravery under fire can not be discounted. That being said, he was already a very heavy drinker and after the LBH he became a raging alcoholic.
Calhoun, James "Jimmi" - Joined the 4th Infantry in January 1864, as enlisted. Promoted to 1st Sgt. February 1865. He remained in that position until promoted to 2nd Lt. with the 32nd Infantry in July 1867. Moved with his unit to Ft. Grant, AZ. He spent 2 years there before Army reorganization. He was unassigned and at Ft. Leavenworth, KS when he met Maggie Custer, George's little sister and struck up a romantic relationship. He is then appointed to the 7th as a first Lt. Was on the Yellowstone Expedition, where his gambling became a big issue and his losses even bigger. His brother-in-law Tom had to bring him up short, telling him he could not keep borrowing and to "keep your hands out of my haversack." Was on Black Hills Expedition. He gambled late into the night on June 21, 1876 aboard the Far West with Tom Custer, Reno, Keogh, and Captain Grant Marsh(skipper of the steamer). Don't know how he faired in the game. While he was surely a member of the "Custer Clan", he was a fine officer and competent leader, due to, in large part his time as a 1st Sgt. and officer in the infantry. He obviously knew how to deploy his men. Jimmi was a big man for the cavalry at 6'1", he was also called "Adonis" for his blond hair and good looks.
Reno, Marcus Albert Entered W.P. in 1851, was scheduled to graduate in 1855. Due to excessive demerits, reportedly 1031, he did not graduate until 1857. He was commissioned brevet 2nt LT in the 1st Dragoons that year and moved to 2nd Lt in June 58. He served on frontier posts in Oregon and Washington until the outbreak of the ACW. Brevetted to Col. USA and Brigadier USV. Cited twice for bravery. Mustered out on13 March 1865. After the war he briefly served as infantry tactics instructor at W.P., then was assigned provost marshal in New Orleans, until he requested frontier duty. He was posted to Ft Vancouver, acting as assistant inspector general of the Department of Columbia. He was appointed Major 7th Cavalry December of 1868, but apparently did not report until late the following year. From Dec. 69 to July 71 he was stationed at Ft Hayes, KS, at which time he was assigned to New York as member of the small arms board. This group adopted the 1873 Springfield carbine as prime cavalry weapon. In 1873 Reno returned to the 7th and was assigned to Boundary Survey Duty, he missed Yellowstone and Black Hills. While on boundary duty his wife died, he was not "granted" leave for his wife's funeral. To add insult to injury his wife's family denied him her share of the family fortune. Reno did wrangle leave to go to Europe for an extended stay. He returned from Europe in time to become the temporary commander of the 7th, during the time which Custer was embroiled in Washington politics. Reno requested the position become permanent, Terry put him off to see the outcome of Custer's situation. Reno was quite resentful when Custer returned to take charge of the LBH campaign, and showed it. There had never been any love loss between the two. In fact Reno had a number of detractors. It has been said that he was generally not liked, even despised by many of his contemporaries. General Hugh Scott, then a young 2nd Lt. "disliked him intensely". Lt. Francis Gibson was "wary of Reno and considered him to be arrogant and vicious." 1st Lt. Edward Godfrey(future general)wrote in his journal" Reno's self important rudeness makes him unbearable." Even Captain Benteen, who shared a common dislike of Custer, once publically called Reno a "SOB", slapped him and challenged him to a fight. Reno prudently declined. Reno was more of a bad politician than a good and qualified officer to command an size battle group.
Benteen, Frederick William Born in Petersburg, VA, moved to St. Louis as a young boy. Turned his back on the south in September 1861 by joining Bowen's Brigade as a 1st Lt., this brigade later became the 10th Missouri Cavalry. His slave owning father disowned him for this betrayal and may have said " I hope the first bullet gets you." During the war Benteen's father was employed on a steamboat caledl "Fair Play" which was supplying local Confederates. Frederick was part of a group that captured the steamboat. Within a few days the crew, save for Benteen senior were released, he spent the remainder of the war in lockup. Benteen's "defection" to the Union may have had more to do with love for a unionist lady, Catherine Norman, than philosophy. They were married, had 5 children, all but one were lost to spinal meningitis, the survivor, Fred became a major, who served into the 20th century. During the ACW Benteen participated in numerous engagements in the western theater. These engagements included Wilson Creek, Pea Ridge, the siege of Vicksburg, Brandon Station, the capture of Jackson, and the capture of Selma. Probably the high point of his ACW career was the pursuit of Confederate General Sterling Price, Benteen spearheaded the decisive charge at the battle of Mine Creek that broke the Rebel lines. Benteen was mustered out as a colonel on 30 June 1865. After the war he was appointed Col. of the 138th Colored Volunteers. In July 1866 he was given a regular army commission of captain, then assigned to the 7th. Benteen took an immediate dislike to Custer and was an outspoken critic, especially after the Washita battle. He felt Custer had abandoned his friend Major Joel Elliott. To his credit Custer never publically spoke or wrote a bad word about Benteen. In fact, there is a passage in "My Life on the Plains" where Custer depicts Benteen in a very positive light. Benteen was at the Washita, Yellowstone expedition, and Black Hills expedition. I think that at the LBH, Benteen was ill - used and detached in a wasteful fashion as were many in this debacle.
Other officers that may have been ill-used were:
Varnum, Charles Albert experience in Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. Had fought NA's prior to LBH. Retired as colonel 1918.
Hare, Luther Rector showed well in battle and scouting. Retired Co. USA, Brig. USV 2 Silver Stars.
Edgerly, Winfield Scott Yellowstone and Black Hills had fought NA's previously. Retired brigadier.
Gibson, Francis Marion Washita, Yellowstone, Black Hills, and had fought NA's. Retired in 1891.
Godfrey, Edward Settle Washita, Yellowstone, and Black Hills. Had fought NA's. Retired as brigadier.
Mathey, Edward Gustave Much NA experience. Washita battle, Yellowstone, and Black Hills expeditions. Retired colonel, 1904.
Mc Dougall, Thomas Mower The man was wasted on pack train had much NA experience even before joining the 7th, against Apaches in AZ. Add Yellowstone and Black Hills. left active service due disability in 1890, in 1904 advanced to major retired.
All in all, this was probably a better group than Custer took with him.
I guess in all of this, originally I was hoping to find poor officers, drunkenness, or problems of some sort with training of officers. After putting it aside for more than 10 years, then taking a harder look I have found that there was something staring me in the face the whole time. Custer mismanaged not only the battle plan, but his officer corps as well. He surrounded himself with yes men, "Custer Clan members", generally non critical thinkers, and sycophants. He would have been better served by putting his best where they could have served him best. In business as well as in the military you should put your best near you in positions that will not only make you look good, but get you the best overall results as well.
These thoughts about the officer corps all started in 2002 when I bought a book by Thom Hatch, from a local museum called "The Custer Companion." This prompted to look in other areas for info, the most helpful sources were:
Annie Roberts Yates
Madam Custer
Brian Pohanka
George Walton
W.A. Graham
General Hugh Scott
General Edward Godfrey
Bismark Times 1877
Charles Varnum
Walter Camp
French L. Maclean
