azranger
Brigadier General
Ranger
Posts: 1,824
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Post by azranger on Mar 3, 2017 11:49:26 GMT
Benteen went to Ford A by himself and observed a line of troopers parallel the river composed of around 13 troopers on foot. Since French was the last on the line and moving to the timber then it could have been him. We don't have 13 dead troopers on a line outside the timber. So some of those 13 found a way to get back in the timber and either left with French or remained on foot.
Benteen's battalion does not go to Ford A. What I recall of being at Ford A horseback makes me think I can't see Reno retreat crossing. Seems to me that there is vegetation and I think it was there so that Reno reformed after crossing and clearing the vegetation. There is short climb toward the bluffs that allows you to see down the river.
So that is Jose's theory and it makes sense to me. I don't think there is a long time from when French goes to the timber and directly goes to thier horses. That makes me think that French anticipated moving or else he would not have mounted his company. Ryan informs him that the Indians are in his rear. French tells Ryan it is Custer he believes. That would support the immediate anticipated support. Then the Indians fire and Ryan wins the bet. A trooper is killed.
Time to execute the breakout.
Regards
AZ Ranger
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azranger
Brigadier General
Ranger
Posts: 1,824
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Post by azranger on Mar 3, 2017 11:53:47 GMT
In reviewing Benteen's testimony I read where he estimates visually 1800 tipis. So the counting of tipi circles and the argument that they moved and they were counted twice does not have any effect on Benteen's observation from Weir.
Regards
AZ Ranger
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Post by deadwoodgultch on Mar 3, 2017 12:05:51 GMT
Steve,
I have seen Ford A, at least the area, you have been to the area where Reno crossed to the bluffs. How steep is the drop from the bank where Reno crossed to the bluffs above? We often hear how much the river course has changed in the Ford D area, how much change may have taken place in the retreat area?
Regards, Tom
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Post by yanmacca on Mar 3, 2017 12:15:37 GMT
Benteen also got the size of the village wrong too I believe, it was not his fault though as the Indians said that they moved the circles north a ways and to Benteen it looked like one big camp measuring three miles long and spreading as far up the valley as the LSH.
Yesterday I posted up a few things, and to be honest I thought that Benteen had no idea were anybody was until he stumbled across Reno. Now I should have known better and forgot about the scouts waving to him, as I thought he saw two trails and took the Custer route just by chance, which I would assume would have taken him to the LNC ridges or MTC only for bumping into Reno, and that is why I saying about the idea of Reno staying in the timber and what ifs etc etc, and that is why I said what I did and posted that stupid map.
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Post by yanmacca on Mar 3, 2017 12:21:07 GMT
Tom I have checked the Bonifede map to try and copy the old 1876 course onto a new google map, but for some reason the Bonifede map only shows the old course from ford D to to Reno hill.
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azranger
Brigadier General
Ranger
Posts: 1,824
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Post by azranger on Mar 3, 2017 12:51:16 GMT
Steve, I have seen Ford A, at least the area, you have been to the area where Reno crossed to the bluffs. How steep is the drop from the bank where Reno crossed to the bluffs above? We often hear how much the river course has changed in the Ford D area, how much change may have taken place in the retreat area? Regards, Tom Tom
I rode across the retreat crossing twice and up the drainage to the bluffs. I tried to push my horse put it was hard to move very fast. I don't think the bluff climb has changed at all. The ingress and egress has changed if the accounts are correct on climbing out of the river and going to the bluffs. That could easily occur in a flood event.
The Hodgson marker in the bottom is used for target practiced. I have pictures of when we rode there. It was memorial for me since my horse went completely under water except for the top of my saddle. His neck was only visible for a few inches past the horn. His head was completely under the water. I thought I was about to go swimming but since it was hot I didn't care. Just wanted my feet out of the stirrups so I didn't get trapped.
Regards
Steve
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azranger
Brigadier General
Ranger
Posts: 1,824
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Post by azranger on Mar 3, 2017 12:53:08 GMT
Benteen also got the size of the village wrong too I believe, it was not his fault though as the Indians said that they moved the circles north a ways and to Benteen it looked like one big camp measuring three miles long and spreading as far up the valley as the LSH. Yesterday I posted up a few things, and to be honest I thought that Benteen had no idea were anybody was until he stumbled across Reno. Now I should have known better and forgot about the scouts waving to him, as I thought he saw two trails and took the Custer route just by chance, which I would assume would have taken him to the LNC ridges or MTC only for bumping into Reno, and that is why I saying about the idea of Reno staying in the timber and what ifs etc etc, and that is why I said what I did and posted that stupid map. Ian
Benteen made his estimate by counting actual tipis while they were there and not counting circles after the Indians left.
Regards
Steve
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azranger
Brigadier General
Ranger
Posts: 1,824
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Post by azranger on Mar 3, 2017 12:54:49 GMT
Time to get ready for firearms instruction to NAU PRTP students. We will be in Sedona today.
Regards
Steve
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Post by yanmacca on Mar 3, 2017 13:02:39 GMT
Ok Steve, I got the info from drawing battle lines in the Benteen map section, Donahue said he got the size wrong Tom, I have tried to see how the river flowed just by the old courses, but this could be way wrong
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