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hunkpapa7
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
Status: offline |
 Posted - February 05 2005 : 4:47:28 PM
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I can understand GAC taking the Crow scouts,but why didn't he take his best and trusted Ree Bloody Knife.
It seems odd that after all these years together they should part at this crucial last battle[as the army so it]to end the Plains Indian Wars.Especially when you consider that he surronded himself with friends and family.
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wev'e caught them napping boys
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movingrobewoman
Lt. Colonel
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - February 05 2005 : 5:57:37 PM
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He took the most familiar with the neighborhood--Bouyer. But you're right--GAC surrounded himself as much as possible at LBH with family and trusted friends, so it is a bit peculiar. That said, Bouyer was a welcome addition in a geographical location GAC had little familiarity with. Then again, maybe Bloody Knife's "we're going home" statement before the battle kind of touched a nerve with the normally untouchable LTC ... I mean, GAC did *swear* at Bouyer whist at the Crow's Nest (OMG!) ...
Regards, |
movingrobe |
Edited by - movingrobewoman on February 05 2005 6:02:15 PM |
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joseph wiggs
Brigadier General
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Posted - February 06 2005 : 1:13:37 PM
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An often over looked, but significant part of Custer's battle plan, was to deprive the Sioux warriors of their mounts. Erroneously convinced that the village would go on the "jump" at the first approach of the troops, he assigned a task force to counter that movement; the Indian scouts.
On page 81, of the Arikara (Ree) Narrative, Custer through the interpreter Gerard, advises the Rees of their critical assignment: "My only intention in bringing these people to battle is to have them go into battle and take many horses away from the Sioux."
At the Lone Tepee, these scouts stopped and lingered for approximately an 1/2 hour rather than charge ahead to the Sioux, pony herds. This disobedience of orders infuriated Custer to no end. Thus, he stated, "I told you to dash on and stop for nothing. You have disobeyed me." (page 121 Arikara Narrative)
Later, we find Bloody Knife leading other Ree's in a raid of one of the Sioux pony herds, "Little Sioux was about half way to the line of soldiers with others around him, and then he saw Bloody Knife swing in from the timber which, from the direction of the Dakota camp, he was driving three horses. Bloody Knife was his uncle and he came up to him and said:'Take these horses away back, this is what Custer told of to do." (page 151)
I believe that Bloody Knife was specifically assigned this task, by Custer, to ensure that the raid on the herds were carried out. This rationale would be a militaristic explanation for his absence from Custer. Naturally, Reno's unantiscipated and abrupt halt into skirmish removed any change for the mission to succeed. The Indian scouts were forced to fall back themselves at this point.
The fact that Bloody Knife was killed near Reno gives credence to Warlord's theory. The possibility that Custer also advised him to stay close to Reno, if things did not go in accordance with plans, is a possible. |
Edited by - joseph wiggs on February 06 2005 1:16:17 PM |
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Anonymous Poster8169
Brigadier General
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Posted - February 06 2005 : 2:35:53 PM
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Or, our assumptions are wrong, and Custer and Bloody Knife weren't really as close as people have liked to imagine they were.
R. Larsen |
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joseph wiggs
Brigadier General
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Posted - February 06 2005 : 6:30:39 PM
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| Valid point, I remember reading that Bloody knife was the recipient of several of George's and Tom's occasional pranks which he did not appreciate. Also, Bloody knife did not hesitate to comment negatively on Custer's touted markmanship. Perhaps their realization of what each could do for the other, Custer defeating Bloody Knifes hated enemy and Bloody Knife scouting abilities,best exemplifies the relationship. |
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movingrobewoman
Lt. Colonel
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - February 06 2005 : 11:16:08 PM
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Larsen--
I think you are correct. GAC's "friendship" with the N/A Bloody Knife would prove to have little of what we would consider "friendship" today. Despite an avowed close relationship, Custer would always remain the leader, the superior--whilst BK would be relegated to the (in the 19th Century) acceptable inferior role as Indian scout. As I seem to remember, Bloody Knife was one of the actual shooters whose aim directly led to the downing of "The King of the Forest (an elk)," in 1873, whereas GAC got all the photo-credit ...
Regards, |
movingrobe |
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GO WITH RENO ?
