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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Dec 27, 2018 22:14:22 GMT
Actually, George Custer's Civil War record was impressive. I've said that he might have been the best pure cavalry combat general of the war. Remembering that Phil Sheridan made his name in combined operations, J.E.B. Stuart was a raider and Bedford Forrest basically ran his command as mounted infantry. His leadership in the Gettysburg Campaign, Sheridan's Richmond Raid, the 1864 Valley Campaign and the Appomattox Campaign were textbook. What happened at the Little Big Horn? His ego first. I've always wondered if he really thought the Sioux encampment was really that small and filled with noncombatants. If he did, his plan was sound. And Benteen and Reno did let him down. I cannot call him incompetent. I agree with this except for the part about Benteen and Reno letting him down. Reno never did anything but throw a skirmish line against the encampment. That immediately told Crazy Horse and Gall that this was a diversion and the main attack (Custer) was coming form another direction. He was in a stupor from having his scout's brains spattered all over him. And he panicked. "All those who wish to make their escape follow me," Benteen waited for the pack train to arrive and then left to Reno's aid without them. He might as well have been in San Francisco. Custer was too rash, Reno and Benteen, too timid. The attack should have been coordinated better but the distances between Custer and Reno were too great.
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