Posted by Rich on June 26, 2001 at 15:23:21:
In Reply to: And MY own thought for the day - 125th Anniv posted by Bill R on June 26, 2001 at 12:20:39:
Ok .... BIG HUG!!!!
Now, briefly, back to business...
ALL I was trying to do, was show a different side to the man. I know of no current movement to make the man a hero. He was that already, in his OWN day.
I did this by 1- Using his own published words, and then 2- by recounting a historical fact, that is his testimony before the Belknap Commission.
Both examples, documented, bely the common impression of "Custer the Indian Killer". My purpose was to cause someone to think a bit.
I should have known better. Merely saying "Custer" can cause a big argument. But, that's how powerful repeated myths can be. OK, we all say we want to learn more (not necessarily about Custer ... about anything), yet to really learn takes time ... and effort. Learning is not about soundbites, and I'm afraid that that is how we come about much of our "knowledge." We don't have the time to really delve into a subject, so we watch a one hour documentary, or worse, a movie, and think we are enlightened.
Another tendency we seem to have is to accept only information that supports our pre-conceived notions. The rest, we discard. Even "historians" do this all too frequently.
To really learn, you have to read, read, read ... from all sources. And then ... THINK ABOUT IT. That is exactly what I've done on the Custer/Little Bighorn story. I have one entire bookshelf plus, devoted SOLELY to that. Another devoted to the Plains Indian. I devour all information, whether in print or on film/TV. I've discussed with others. Bandied theories about. I've walked the battlefield. I know the names, the numbers, the facts, the myths, the personalities, the possibilities ... Little Bighorn is my passion.
Do I know it all? Of course not, and everytime a new book comes out on the subject, I learn more.
I know this, Custer was not a coward. Custer was not a fool. Custer was a complex individual, motivated by many things, just like the rest of us. Custer did not disobey orders at Little Bighorn. I can say that with all certainity. And, his tactics were sound. He failed, though. Why? Not for any of the reasons I just mentioned. Not for cowardice, not for foolery, not for disobedience.
One thing I would like to comment on right now ... you mentioned yesterday the episode of Custer leaving his command to be with his wife. An offense he was court martialed for. Yes, it is true. Custer was in the field. His wife, Libby, devoted to the man she loved for her entire life ... and she passed on well after Custer did ... was a few hundred miles away at Fort Riley, Kansas. Reports reached Custer that smallpox had stricken the Fort. Custer became frantic. He took a small detachment and raced across the then dangerous plains to be by her side (she was fine!). Movies are made of such chivalrous stuff. So, I would say, there's a third example of the other side of the man.
Wait ... TWO things I'd like to comment on. You mentioned frontal assaults & casualties. True. No argument. Civil War, I reckon you were referring to? Those WERE the tactics of the day. We hadn't quite figured out that the weaponry had out-distanced the tactics. Custer was FAR from alone. Cold Harbor ... 7,000 Union casualties in 20 minutes! Think about that. Who ordered that? Ulysses S. Grant. One of the most brilliant Generals in our history, Robert E. Lee, ordered the infamous "Pickett's Charge" ... against the advice of his most trusted subordinate, James Longstrret. 2/3s of the 15,000 men who made that charge did not return [statistics are off the top of my head - approximate only!]. So, yeah, Custer was responsible for a high number of casualties. Name me a fighting man who wasn't in that day? And, too, Custer became the youngest Major General in our history. Somebody saw SOMETHING of a good soldier in him.
The man had another side; the man is not responsible for the deaths of every Indian man, woman & child. That's all I'm saying. His grave [monument, actually] does not need to be pissed on by Indian activists. He is not the Devil incarnate, it's that simple.
Want to talk bloody butcher? Wanton Indian Killer? Let's bring up Colonel John Chivington. Who? Funny, the man was the "Custer" so many envision, yet who's ever heard of him?
Ok ... another BIG HUG!
: Rich,
: It finally occurs to me that you had very much wanted to be at the Custer Battlefield this year, and were unable to do so. I should show a little sensitivity toward that. I am not trying to "pick a fight" on this issue. And one thing I will say is that NOBODY ever called Custer a coward. He was recklessly brave. He had no use for cowards. Whatever happened, and whatever the true story, he was a victim of his own choices - as are we all.
: Were it in my power, I would do anything to be able to see you and your family at the Battlesite for this anniversary. It meant so much to you. I wish I could make it happen for you.
: Gimme a hug, big guy!
: Bill R