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Post by Beth on Jul 10, 2016 15:03:26 GMT
I am currently reading "A Warrior Who Fought Custer" which is Wooden Leg's account. In the publisher's notes there is this question. "Why do people still care about this?" I am asking the same question. Why do we still care?
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Post by deadwoodgultch on Jul 10, 2016 15:54:21 GMT
I think Marquis answers that throughout the book, as little details come to light. And, to some degree you are witnessing it on this board, exploring alternative approaches to the prosecution of the battle. By the way, do you know what may have been in Cookes notepad if found on the dead body of atrooper attempting to maybe attempting to get to Terry?
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Post by Beth on Jul 10, 2016 18:19:33 GMT
I have been hearing rumors about the notepad and am very interested in what it might contain however I would be highly suspicious until it is verified as being the real thing. Why would Cooke hand over his whole notebook instead of just a message?
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Post by yanmacca on Jul 10, 2016 18:37:09 GMT
I don't think the Indians would have found this paper thingy much use and probably flung it. Cook did have such a note book because he used it to write the famous note, so there could be a slim chance that this could have been found.
Not to put a downer on things but surly this pad would have been sold to the highest bidder over a hundred years ago, so I hope its not a load of claptrap like Custer's revolvers.
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Post by Beth on Jul 10, 2016 19:00:33 GMT
I don't necessarily agree that they would have tossed it, especially when you see all of the ledger drawing that exist, besides paper is always useful even if it's just tinder for a fire. What I find incredulous is that if it was picked up by a NA that it was not confiscated when the finder returned to the reservation system.
I admit I am a doubting Thomas about suddenly found papers because they can be so easy to fake--so until it they appear and are verified I will take anything learned from them with a grain of salt.
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Post by deadwoodgultch on Jul 10, 2016 20:54:02 GMT
If it was found it was found on a body, not Cookes, north of last stand hill, if and when it is sold it will go for a great deal more than it would have a hundred years ago. Rumors, rumors, rumors.
Beth, the dress was fake, regarding 1876 uniforms!
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Post by deadwoodgultch on Jul 10, 2016 21:37:13 GMT
Ian, I have Custer's revolvers, I bought them from Chuck, when I read he had them.
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Post by Beth on Jul 10, 2016 22:00:00 GMT
Ian, I have Custer's revolvers, I bought them from Chuck, when I read he had them. What about the engraved Custer sword?
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Post by deadwoodgultch on Jul 10, 2016 22:56:30 GMT
Could not afford, besides no swords at LBH!
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Jul 11, 2016 1:49:41 GMT
I have often puzzled why myself and so many others are fascinated by George Custer, the 7th Cavalry, Plains Indians and the battle of the Little Big Horn? I have no emotional connections with any of the participants or that part of the country yet here I sit answering Beth's question of "Why?" we care about this minor military event. Here are my reasons and thoughts.
1) Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. They were the matinee idols of the movies and everyone's ideal of the gracious lady and dashing man's man.
2) The romantic portrayal of the Hero's glorious death supported by the grieving widow.
3) The timing of the film released in 1941.
4) In 1991 Custer Battlefield National Monument became the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument which first peaked my curiosity as to actual facts instead of "wishory" of the battle.
5) I began studying the Battle of Gettysburg and other Army of Northern Virginia fights when I discovered my GG Gandfather served in Pickett's division and read more about the main figures including Custer and his history.
6) I became more interested as I discovered Custer did not perform as I had believed but actually failed in his mission and performance.
7) I visited the battlefield in September of 2004 and saw the terrain which was the key for understanding the environment fought in.
8) I discovered the Custer boards and the rest is history for me. Regards Dave
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Post by BrevetorCoffin on Jul 11, 2016 3:49:55 GMT
Um-NA's outnumbered, outmaneuvered and outfought the 7th that day. Seriously, I love history and love to dig into the why of each situation. I love hypotheticals as well if kept to one side. LBH is the ultimate why, how and what if scenario because ther are so many unknowns. This ultimately draws my interest.
There will always be interest in a debacle pitting 'civilization' against 'savages' and and the thought process of 'how did they screw it up.' The last sentence is a generalization but I believe is a thought process that applies to battles such as LBH, Isandlwana, Fetterman, Kidder, Braddock and many others. I think most will find a level of hubris mixed into those on the defeated side.
Best,
David
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Post by BrevetorCoffin on Jul 11, 2016 4:00:43 GMT
Toss in Hitler's manic demands at Stalingrad.
I still do not understand the emotional ties some people attach to various battle participants. I have said my peace about Custerphilia and the blame game. I will defend Reno's breakout, some ofhis actions on the hill were highly questionable IMHO.
But enough of my opinions. Lets hear from others.
Best,
David
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Post by yanmacca on Jul 11, 2016 10:37:36 GMT
David, you missed out Arnhem mate, another balls up turned into a glorious defeat by the media.
This is nice though;
Upon finally surrendering in the ruins of Arnhem, with no ammunition and virtually starved, a German officer reputedly said to a British officer: 'I fought at Stalingrad on the eastern front but I have never seen troops as good as you at city fighting - where did you learn this?', to which the officer replied 'well it was our first time - but we'll try to do better next time!'
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Post by yanmacca on Jul 11, 2016 10:51:27 GMT
I have quite a few friends who ask me questions about military stuff and battles, but I always feel that when I am asked about the BLBH, that my answer usually bores the pants off them, because I try to encapsulate all the major points and as you know, there are many with this battle.
I find that many people have heard of Custer, but most of them think that the movies are correct and he simply rode with the whole of the 7th cavalry into the area of the battle and was surrounded by thousands of mounted Indians and after a gallant struggle all were killed fighting on foot in a circle, and at much cost to Indians, whose dead were piled high around this circle of dead troops.
When I tell them about the warrior casualty figures they say how many Indians!
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mac
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,790
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Post by mac on Jul 11, 2016 11:07:20 GMT
Because it is a mystery with many tantilizing clues. Cheers
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