Is This an Old Subject?

Posted by Roger Kettle on June 26, 2001 at 15:41:41:

I've just stumbled across this site so forgive me if I'm covering old ground.Isn't it more than likely that the "Boy General" shot himself?The fact that there was a bullet hole in his left temple is surely enough grounds for debate.Biographers have suggested that it is difficult for a right-handed man to shoot himself in the left temple.Well,difficult,yes,but not impossible.Particularly if you'd already been wounded,as Custer had,on his right side,potentially leaving his favoured hand unusable.I'm not suggesting cowardice.Suicide was the recommended course for any professional soldier at that time in similar circumstances.Custer---whether you liked him or hated him---was a professional.Why are historians reluctant to promote this theory?I apologise again if I'm covering old ground but I'd welcome any response.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Is This an Old Subject? Rick 11:03:09 6/30/2001 (1)
  • Re: Is This an Old Subject? Frank Bodden 22:54:27 7/10/2001 (0)

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: I've just stumbled across this site so forgive me if I'm covering old ground.Isn't it more than likely that the "Boy General" shot himself?The fact that there was a bullet hole in his left temple is surely enough grounds for debate.Biographers have suggested that it is difficult for a right-handed man to shoot himself in the left temple.Well,difficult,yes,but not impossible.Particularly if you'd already been wounded,as Custer had,on his right side,potentially leaving his favoured hand unusable.I'm not suggesting  cowardice.Suicide was the recommended course for any professional soldier at that time in similar circumstances.Custer---whether you liked him or hated him---was a professional.Why are historians reluctant to promote this theory?I apologise again if I'm covering old ground but I'd welcome any response.


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