researching

[Cutter]

There was a trooper by the name of John McGinnis. That caught my eye, as we both share the same last name. Given my family history in the west, he might be kin.
In one kia list, he was part of troop G. In an articlel about Kinipe, it stated
"In the village site, further investigation uncovered the decapitated heads of Troopers John McGinnis, John Armstrong, and one other, on poles covered by inverted kettles."
In "Cheyenne memories of the Custer fight" by Richard G. Hardoff, it states that Pvt. McGinnis was of troop I, and was convalescent at fort A. Lincoln. It went on to say that the horse "Comanche" was assigned to McGinnis, and Keogh had "Comanche" transferred to his, (Keogh's) custody.
If he was kin, I hope the latter was his fate.

[joewiggs]

"Herenden heard volleys coming down stream about this time (4:15); a great many volleys in fact, and it was originating from the direction of what was to be Custer's field. The little group with the scout as their unofficial leader hid out in the timber until later in the afternoon.

They saw two guidons planted on the bluffs across the river, and the men began to move toward the flags; it was about quarter after five. When the group started for the bluffs, two of the troopers, Privates John Armstrong of "A", and John Mcginnis of 'M', refused to move...either through fear or in the belief they would be safer remaining behind.

These two men made the wrong choice. After the battle Armstrong's head was found stuck on a pole. McGennis' head was found in the village. It was identified by his red hair."

Vanishing Victory,p67

What a sad choice for the two men who may very well have survived.

[Cutter]

Thanks Joe, did Bruce R. Liddic foot note that passage?

[joewiggs]

Yes he did Cutter, Hardoff, The Custer Battle Casualties, 135;140.
its hard to imagine, having a trooper with your same last name identified and confirmed to be one who died in the battle. i don't know how one should feel? Somehow, it seems to make you closer to the battle, does it not?

[Cutter]

Yeah, and it's possible. My family started west in the mid to late 40's on the Oregon trail. Some went on to the Portland area, some broke off north to Montana. There's a Mcginnis Creek in western Montana, around Glacier. Could be some kin thought it would cool to join the Seventh. Who knows? Might be worth it to spend some money to find out.

[joewiggs]

Cutter you have more than enough probable cause to check out your past. You may be enthralled with what you find! I plan on having myself hypnotize this summer to find out if I had any past life experiences that might explain my obsession with this topic.

For all of you may think I'm nuts I understand. I can not help but feel that the bonds that tie us to this battle are mysterious and awesome. I will keep you guys informed.

[joewiggs]

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Cutter for the wonderful "sites" he has directed us to that are just magnificent to say the least. it is obvious to me this this a person who believes in sharing the wealth of information that exist out there.

Cutter, you are an asset to this forum and a great guy as well! All of us appreciate your efforts.

[stumblingbear]

Guess where the term Tipi came from? Tipestola - A pointed dwelling! Is that good or what? ;D

[Cutter]

That's interesting. The origin of words is a fascinating study.

[joewiggs]

The below information was written by General George Crook:

"Indian warfare is, of all warfare, the most dangerous, the most trying, and the most thankless. Not recognized by the high authority of the United States senate as war, it still possess for you the disadvantages of civilized warfare with all the horrible accompaniments that barbarians can invent and savages execute. In it you are required to serve without the incentive to promotion or recognition;in truth without favor or hope of reward."

This paragraph leaves me with one (for me anyhow) salient but unanswerable question. Who were the barbarians referred to by Crook? The Indians or the U.S. senate?

[stumblingbear]

I believe he was talking about the Indians. Isn't is true that in order to kill another human being, he or she are dehumanized first to make it easier?

Maybe if we looked at each other as "human" rather than American, German, French, White, Black, or Red we could all do a much better job of just getting along.

[joewiggs]

he was actually referring to the Indians but the description could have fit Congress as well. The same Congress that Indians acquiesce to their demands than refuse to follow up with promises of provisions so the Indians would not have to hunt buffalo who were no longer there with rifles they no longer owned.

A Congress that allowed petty and thieving potentates to become masters of the very system designed to support, care for, and feed the Indians. Finally, driving beyond all despair they revolted, killed, and were killed until they could fight no more forever!

[joewiggs]

" The entire Custer story has been surrounded in mystery and I recall an elderly Colonel telling me once of a story that used to circulate in army circles that there were men who knew an unpublished truth about the story, but who were pledged never to reveal it."

-Ronald Reagon to John Minion, July 15, 1965