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Post by joewiggs on Jul 26, 2013 19:37:14 GMT -5
An open question to the forum and, all participation will be greatly appreciated.
Custer's entire command was divided into three units. One led by Reno, another led by Benteen, and the remainder led by Custer.
We know that Reno and Custer's command possessed medical staff. However, Benteen's unit did not receive any medical personnel whatsoever! On the surface, this oddity makes no sense;or does it? I've ask myself over and over again the inescapable inquiry, what possible reason would justify the commander neglecting such a necessity of medical aid to any portion of his command?
After all of these "Lo" many years, I think I have determined a reasonable answer to this enigma. Before I summit my solution, I would like to hear from the rest of the forum as to why Custer would sent a portion of his command into "Harm's Way" without medical personnel to treat the injured.
What do you think?
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Post by whitebull on Jul 26, 2013 19:42:01 GMT -5
In my opinion benteen did not need any medical help because he was not expected to do any of the hard fighting. His job was to pick up any stragglers who might be trying to run away. Any doctoring would be needed for the men who would be doing the hard fighting!
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Post by stumblingbear on Jul 27, 2013 12:48:56 GMT -5
I did not know that Benteen's platoon were not given medical help. It does not make sense to me because I would think that everyone would be involved in the fight at some time or another.
I wonder if it was just an oversight?
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Post by joewiggs on Aug 1, 2013 12:42:53 GMT -5
An open question to the forum and, all participation will be greatly appreciated. Custer's entire command was divided into three units. One led by Reno, another led by Benteen, and the remainder led by Custer. We know that Reno and Custer's command possessed medical staff. However, Benteen's unit did not receive any medical personnel whatsoever! On the surface, this oddity makes no sense;or does it? I've ask myself over and over again the inescapable inquiry, what possible reason would justify the commander neglecting such a necessity of medical aid to any portion of his command? After all of these "Lo" many years, I think I have determined a reasonable answer to this enigma. Before I summit my solution, I would like to hear from the rest of the forum as to why Custer would sent a portion of his command into "Harm's Way" without medical personnel to treat the injured. What do you think?Still no guessess? I'll wait a little longer  |
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Post by stumblingbear on Aug 1, 2013 12:52:23 GMT -5
Well, the more I think about it the more I feel that no answer makes sense as an answer. There is so much confusion and forgotten facts that keep us from getting all of the truth. We can all speculate and see what others may think!
I do agree with you and WB regarding the Reno Inquiry, some strange goings on did happen for sure.
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Post by joewiggs on Aug 3, 2013 10:10:05 GMT -5
An open question to the forum and, all participation will be greatly appreciated. Custer's entire command was divided into three units. One led by Reno, another led by Benteen, and the remainder led by Custer. We know that Reno and Custer's command possessed medical staff. However, Benteen's unit did not receive any medical personnel whatsoever! On the surface, this oddity makes no sense;or does it? I've ask myself over and over again the inescapable inquiry, what possible reason would justify the commander neglecting such a necessity of medical aid to any portion of his command? After all of these "Lo" many years, I think I have determined a reasonable answer to this enigma. Before I summit my solution, I would like to hear from the rest of the forum as to why Custer would sent a portion of his command into "Harm's Way" without medical personnel to treat the injured. What do you think?Still no guesses? I'll wait a little longer Well folks, the following information is not based upon facts but, speculation stemming from a rational (if unproven thesis) attempt to understand Benteen's irrational and caustic efforts to represent Custer in the erroneous light of a self-centered-centered martinet willing to sacrifice his men for personal glory.and, to cover up the fact that Benteen disobeyed a specific order that may have prevented fatal end of the battle. Again, I can not prove the following but, this explanation explains much. Benteen was never ordered (by Custer) to respond to " a" valley to apprehend possible, fleeing Indians as he stated. He was sent to " the" valley that led to the village from a different angle of direction than that of Reno. Had Benteen entered the valley as ordered, he would have arrived to the left of converging entrances to the Indian camp. He, of course, was to drive any potential fleeing Indians back toward Reno. Benteen was not anticipated to engage a large force of hostiles as Custer assumed the village was already running away. Any Indian resistance that may have been encountered would,ultimately, been met by Reno initially while re-reinforced by Benteen. Hence, no medical staff was issued to Benteen's battalion. the combined forces were anticipated to drive the hostiles toward Custer who would attack from the south. Unfortunately, while en route, Benteen surmised that the Indians would have traveled over such rough country as he had endured to escape. He was wrong! The valley discovered by Gibson was a very plausible route of potential escape. Benteen received two orders from messengers sent by Custer who, allegedly, told him only to "keep on pushing." Would Custer have sent a Sergeant Major and a second Full Sergeant to sent such a trivial request? No! At the very least he was ordered to sent a Currier to Custer immediately upon contacting any Indians and/or locating the valley entrance to the Indian Camp. The failure to perform that task would have resulted, undoubtedly, in his court martial had this information been brought to light. Convinced the Custer was on the wrong track, Benteen acted on his own behalf and connivance displaying a total disregard for Custer's leadership and plans. That he was partially responsible for the collapse of the 7th. and the death of so many men must have been a monumental burden upon his psyche. |
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