| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| wILD I |
Posted - October 14 2006 : 4:09:30 PM
From Weir Point to LSH is 3 miles approx the difference in elevation between these two points is 100 ft.The variation in elevation along the line WP to LSH is negligible.The line WP to LSH runs parallel to the LBH.I'm suggesting that Custer's route to LSH ran parallel to the river and that rather than ride up and down the various coulees he simple crossed them as the rise and fall in elevation of these features was no hindrence[Butler's body was found close to this route].I'm also suggesting that Custer intended to attack the North end of the village avoiding the approach to the center of it at MTC.
The main body of Custer's command fell along Battle Ridge.All the indications are that he was surprised as he approached LSH with no time to react.I don't see any reason for him to have attempted to cross the LBH in the area opposite Battle Ridge because of the twists and turns of the river.
Custer's line of march streached back along/just below BR to Keogh's troops and then to Calhoun's.He never actually held the summit of LSH in any strenght[although on another thread it has been pointed out that there had been some markers on the summit until the monument was erected].LSH was the first and main point of collision with hundreds if not thousands of Indians suddenly materializing out of the large coulee[no name] which terminates just to the North of LSH.It is possible to visualize LSH and the South Skirmish line as a hastely established front to hold this attack from the North .Fugitives from this line trying to escape would have found Deep Ravine lying across their path.
Keogh and Calhoun might have had a moment or two to gather their wits and form skirmish lines but caught between the attack lapping around Custer and Indians returning from the Reno fight they stood little chance.
The above is no more than a scenario suggested by what I feel is much improved knowledge of the battlefield terrain as per Google Earth. |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wILD I |
Posted - October 16 2006 : 1:24:21 PM
That's the amount Ireland gets between entering the pub and the completion of the first pint,
Just on a point of information DC that's the rate of consumption for our nursing mothers and invalides. |
| Dark Cloud |
Posted - October 16 2006 : 11:22:30 AM
Not really in the middle of nowhere;Denver's down the road and absent smart folks in the 50's and 60's we'd be aswarm in cheap developments now. Colorado is growing fast. Darn it.
We're still high desert, though, and get on 12" of rain/snow on average year. That's the amount Ireland gets between entering the pub and the completion of the first pint, so keep things in perspective.
Not arguing with your intent, and could be true, just saying that land is very deceiving and much worse that photos allow it to look. |
| wILD I |
Posted - October 16 2006 : 09:43:15 AM
DC
I'm trying to deliver Custer into the hands of destiny with the appearance that he's at least on nodding terms with military logic.
Time is not on Custer's side, if he meanders up and down the various features that confront him he adds 3/4 of a mile to his route.A straight parallel course from WP is downhill as far as MTC.Also by getting him past this feature we keep him from getting himself shot.
We have argued the pros and cons of MTC ad nauseam so lets not delay our hero here as he is determined to attack the North end of the village.It might be useful just to note in passing that if he had descended to the river the climb back up Deep Coulee is severe.
The last part of his excursion sees him transit Deep Coulee and climb up onto Calhoun Hill.A climb of 100 ft .A similar climb acomplished by Reno with little difficulty and great enthusiasm.
I'm going to suggest that Custer used Battle ridge to mask his march but in doing so he lost sight of the village and the forces heading towards LSH to confront him.
I thought perhaps that the markers on the South Skirmish Line represented some sort of organised front but the lack of officers here would lead me to believe that they in fact represent fugitives fleeing the point of impact at LSH.Not a single feature occupied by the 5 troops with the exception of Calhoun Hill has any military value.
I have argued on other threads that the only way to account for the lack of leadership was to consider that Custer had cracked up,others suggested that he was hors de combat.I'm now taking refuge in the simplist of explanations that he was totally suprised by overwhelming numbers at his most vulnerable.
On a totally unrelated matter DC could I say what a fascinating place Boulder appears to be. In the middle of nowhere right up against 8000 ft mountains with more water than New orleans.
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| Dark Cloud |
Posted - October 15 2006 : 09:33:16 AM
I've been saying that the 7th's position on BR is because it's the hogback with the easiest ground for horse. The rise and fall of those coulees is indeed a hindrance. Nothing horses can't do, but tired horses would need to slow down and traverse up the slopes and, more dangerous, slowly traverse down to avoid injury or fall.
The ground is much worse in person than photos or maps indicate. For an example, see in WCF that photo the authors had a hard time placing of Godfrey and Camp riding south of Weir Point. They finally notice in the original photo how the background blended together and what looked like one, smooth hill was actually two elements at distance from each other. That's a characteristic of photos at the battlefield: they make the ground look much, much better than it is. On this, WildI, you'll just have to take our word: it's gruesome horse ground, most especially if you're heading north or south. |
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