I, for a long time had a facination with Custer and the Battle of the Little Big Horn. I have , over the years read as much as i could from as many
sources as i could about the battle its causes and its aftermath and how the greatest victory the American Indians acheived over the Federal Army
resulted in the ultimate defeat of the Native American peoples.
Altough Custer in himself is an interesting figure from American history, my main interest is in the figures at the perifery of the story of that
fateful warm Summers day of June 25th 1876.
Let me introduce you to the main charecters of our story, as Custer and his exploits are well known i will assume most peole know as much as they need
to about this most complex of Soldiers.
Major Marcus Reno. After fighting With the Army of the Potomac Reno ended the War with rank of Captain. Much maligned for his precieved failings at
the Battle of the Little Big Horn, roumers circulated after the Battle that Reno had " lacked the ability to make decisions under fire." Others
critisied the fact that he did not go to Custers aid as Custer and his Command fought for their lives.
Despite this Reno still took over Command of the 7th after the Massacre. After a checkered career after the Battle, including being found guilty of
Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman for making improper advances towards another Officers Wife and for striking a junior Officer whilst
drunk on Duty for which he was dismissed. Later a relative of Reno's sucsesfuly cleared Reno's name of the charges against him in the 1960's and
he was returned to his full rank and re buried at the Custer Battlefield National Cemetary in 1967.
Captain Frederik Benteen.A dependable and capable Officer, Benteen ended the Civil War as a Colonel of the 138th Infantry and was also a Brigadeer
General of the Missouri Militia. In July 1866 he accepted a Commision as a Captain in the 7th Cavalry ( Custer at this time was a super star of his
day, so taking a drop in rank to serve under him isnt as strange as it may first seem.) From the very beggining Custer and Benteen clashed often, at
one point he accused Custer of deserting a group of Soldiers to their deaths at the hands of an Indian War party even going as far as to send a
letter to the St Louis Democrat Newspaper regarding the incident.
There are other interesting Characters in our story like Captain Keogh whose war Horse, Commanche, was the only living thing to Survive the Battle at
Custers Hill, Tom Custer, one of only 4 double winners of the congressional Medal of Honour, not to mention the Indian Leaders Like Crazy Horse and
Sitting Bull. But this is about what appears to have been a coverup, a cover up to hide the truth from the American people at the time about the full
horrors of the massacre and a coverup by two Officers to hide what really happened at the Little Big Horn. This post is not designed to take anything
away from the Indians who won the Battle nor is it an attempt to justify or bolster the arguments for and against the Indian Wars. The reason i am
posting it here is because i respect the posters who contribute here and also that there are people who post here on ATS who are Native American or of
Native American decent and would like to here their take on the story that Benteen and Reno may have altered the facts to blame Custer for the defeat
at the Little Big Horn.
Beside i thought it may be fun to take a break from current affairs and take a look at a Battle from history and a potenial coverup that may have
happened at the time.
Ok, so here is the Article i came across suggesting that there may have been a cover up at the time.
Cover up at the Little Big Horn
Disclaimer: I did not know where this post belonged, it didnt seem to fit into any particular area, if a Mod see's this and thinks it needs to be
moved then by all means do. It may belong in BTS for all i know