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joseph wiggs
Brigadier General
Status: offline |
 Posted - August 18 2007 : 7:49:40 PM
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Major Elliot led his men in a pursuit of fleeing Cheyennes during the Wa****a battle. They were last seen downstream of Black Kettle's village in hot pursuit. Did Custer make any attempt to search for the major and the 18 troopers that accompanied him? Whether he did or did not has been a source of controversy and a bone of contention since it happened.
In his book, "My Life" he writes the following:
"As it was now lacking but an hour of night, we had to make an effort to get rid of the Indians, who still loitered in strong force on the hills."
Apparently, his decision was a practical matter of ensuring the safety of the major portion of his command at the expenditure of nineteen men. What do you think?
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AZ Ranger
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - September 30 2007 : 7:12:28 PM
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| Custer did the right thing. His men have the privilege of disagreeing because they are alive. |
“ An officer's first duty is to his horses.”
SEMPER FI |
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joseph wiggs
Brigadier General
Status: offline |
Posted - October 14 2007 : 6:25:20 PM
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| I agree. To have stayed would have probably meant the annihilation of his entire command. I don't believe the Major had orders to pursue either. |
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AZ Ranger
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - October 17 2007 : 08:54:25 AM
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| I would think a Major has some latitude in his plans. Some choices are higher risk then others. |
“ An officer's first duty is to his horses.”
SEMPER FI |
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joseph wiggs
Brigadier General
Status: offline |
Posted - October 18 2007 : 4:07:24 PM
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You are absolutely correct regarding an Officer's "latitude" within the confines of the mission to be accomplished. At its' minimum, I have to suspect that Custer's mission was to locate the village (which he did), punish the inhabitants (no warning was given before the attack nor was a request for surrender offered) and round up the survivors (accomplished.) The mission was accomplished by having various units, charging from different directs, meet at the village simultaneously.
Elliot, without proper notification nor knowledge of the land bounded off with 16 men into an ambush some two (2) miles away from Black Kettle's camp. You are absolutely correct when you say that "some choices are higher risk than others." Unfortunately, Major Elliot chose a situation where the risk factor was off the board! |
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AZ Ranger
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - March 07 2008 : 9:48:33 PM
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| Like heading past MTC. |
“ An officer's first duty is to his horses.”
SEMPER FI |
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joe wiggs
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - June 15 2008 : 7:42:44 PM
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| "Touché" my friend. |
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clw
Private
Status: offline |
Posted - June 17 2008 : 10:19:15 AM
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| Chuckle. Good one, AZ. |
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joe wiggs
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - June 17 2008 : 7:28:48 PM
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| I just had a thought, had MTV not been passed, what would we have to argue/discuss/slam each other about? |
Edited by - joe wiggs on June 17 2008 7:31:47 PM |
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clw
Private
Status: offline |
Posted - June 18 2008 : 10:12:58 AM
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Benteen.  |
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joe wiggs
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
 Posted - June 19 2008 : 6:03:08 PM
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You know something? You just might be a genius! That answer is absolutely hilarious. |
Edited by - joe wiggs on June 19 2008 6:04:11 PM |
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joe wiggs
Brigadier General
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - June 19 2008 : 6:06:17 PM
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| P.S. AND CORRECT! |
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Death of Elliot and his Command
