Custer's Last Stand or Conduct Unbecoming? Court Martials & Women who Ruined Major Reno

What really ended the career of Major Marcus Reno, Custer's second in command at the Battle of the Little Bighorn?
Was it his behavior on June 25, 1876, paired with the camp gossip, newspaper articles, Whittaker accusations, and the court of inquiry that followed?
Or was his "conduct unbecoming" toward TWO women family members of the Seventh Cavalry?
Let's take a look and see what you think...
...
The best book on this subject is
Barry C. Johnson’s “Case of Marcus A. Reno,” published by the English Westerner’s Society.
Thank you to
Dale Kosman for his steadfast help,
Peter Russell (go to www.menwithcuster.com for more on Captain and Mrs. Bell),
Gary Stewart for sharing photos,
Geoff Lackey for his excellent maps,
George Kush for answering my constant questions,
and Jeff Wahl for his incredible knowledge of the Sturgis family story.
...
I recommend any books about Custer's Last Stand by Donovan, Leckie, Stiles, Frost, Utley, Graham, Carroll, Liddic, etc.
And Elizabeth Custer's memoirs are fantastic!
***
If you too have a passion for the 7th Cavalry, please consider joining:
Little Bighorn Associates
www.thelbha.com
Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association
custerbattlefield.org
Custer Association of Great Britain www.english-westerners-society.org.uk
**PLEASE DONT FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, & STAY TUNED FOR NEW EPISODES!**
I love hearing suggestions of what you’d like to see next!
For more about my current work-in-progress or my published books (The Confusion of Languages and You Know When the Men Are Gone, both with Putnam/Penguin), please see my author website:
www.siobhanfallon.com
Or follow me on Instagram and Facebook:
siobhanfallonwriter
THANK YOU!

[@thomasglass4140]

I just recently found your site. All of your episodes are excellent. I am a retired army Sergeant. Your experience as a military spouse ads an extra layer of knowledge and authenticity to the stories. Keep up the great work.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thomas, I can't thank you enough for your kind message. It nearly brought tears to my eye. I'm so glad these videos are resonating with you. And thank you for the years you spent defending our country. 🇺🇸 Thanks also for giving me positive (glowing!) reinforcement to finish my latest video! Hope to hear from you again 🙏

[@Storm-lg4mx]

Siobhan, your take on the peripherals of the Custer campaign is truly first class, and for me, ground breaking. What has always amazed me about that historic day in June of 76 was the action of Custer's subordinates. Didn't they know the army they were in? The Army has and does look for scape goats in any reverse. That statement is good to this day. I personally would have rather died that day than be remembered as Reno or Benteen.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I think many of the survivors wrestled with that question. And we know some -- Weir and French-- couldn't live with the results. Great insights as always, Storm. It's always good to hear from you. Til the next time, Siobhan

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Just reread your message because it's so lovely 😍 "groundbreaking" 🎉 whoo hoo!

[@patrickkennedy8706]

Again, I don’t agree with Reno’s behavior after the battle, but he did what he was tasked to do. If he had lost all his men, as Custer foolishly did, he too would be remembered as a hero.

[@frankenz66]

Yes that is true they search for scapegoats. When I graduated from my AIT, the battalion I came to, some unlicensed private had been allowed to drive a 5 Ton ammo truck and had flipped it and killed him. His section Sargeant went to Leavenworth, the Motor pool chief went there as well. The battalion commander was promoted to full Colonel, and moved to regiment desk work.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@frankenz66 that's terrible!

[@mikehunt-fx7sf]

Just when I think your videos can't get any better they do!! Always a surprise. Thanks!!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Mike, you're the best!!! Thanks for all the positive reinforcement ++ !! It's great having you in my corner 🤗

[@stevengamble2956]

A brilliant story board of Reno's disastrous personal life Siobhan, your story telling is second to none. I do have a feeling of sorrow for Reno to an extent, but his decision making process is awful, do you think the stress and weight of LBH contributed to his downfall Siobhan?. Please continue with the lives of the 7th Cav Officers and men, they are fascinating.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!! Re Reno and if LBH played into his later problems, I just can't decide. I feel sorry for him too, but he seemed unable to gauge human reactions to him, or understand/ read social cues. Which makes me wonder if Custer tried to express more to Reno at LBH and he misunderstood the way he misunderstood Mrs Bell and Ella Sturgis. And frankly he has always seemed like a bit of a bully to me 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Peter-Leviticus-Hutter]

Reno interview in the Army and Navy Journal of November 26, 1887, my notes in brackets. Reno: The attack which occasioned the massacre was unwarranted, because the Indians were the rightful possessors of the land and were entirely peaceable [The battlefield was, and remains, deep within the Crow Reservation, the blood enemies of the Sioux (many of whom were scouting for Custer at LBH), and this exact same collection of warriors had ridden 24 miles to attack Gen Crook 8 days earlier- there was nothing peaceful about them]. Many a brave man fell in that fight, and all because of Custer's ambition. When we found the dead men they lay in such a position as to show they fled after the first attack and the Indians pursued them and shot them down, for in almost every instance they were shot in the back [This is an utter lie. While certainly some were shot while running, the bodies of the soldiers as a whole were found with their officers and NCOs; there was no breakdown of order or panicked flight in the Custer sector. Reno, on the other hand, did lead a panicked flight, where most of his dead were shot in the back.]..... ....I knew Custer to flourish his sword above his head and shout: "Follow me, follow me!" and then when the fight began, he would be found in the rear. During our rebellion, on one occasion, I discovered him hiding behind a tree when a battle was raging, and I am not the only person who knows that Custer was not a gallant fighter. [One thing of which no one else ever accused Custer of was cowardice, nor of not leading from the front. More to the point, if Custer was hiding in the rear, what was the gallant Reno doing back there to find him?] Every time I start to feel sympathy for Marcus Reno, and there certainly are many things in his life to sympathize with, I read this interview, and like magic, it disappears. Reno never accepted an ounce of responsibility for his role in the LBH disaster, and spent the rest of his life blaming dead men for his personal failures.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yeah. That's why I included his comment about him feeling like his problems arose because he was a target of "curs" : he seemed utterly unapologetic for his many failings and was always certain he was the blameless victim. Even his apology to Mrs Sturgis post-peeping, saying "what was the harm" shows his inability to understand how his actions appeared to others.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

And that article maligning Custer is absolutely a low moment. One the military community must have found apalling. Great notes throughout, Geoff. Thanks for sharing.

[@markmitchell4967]

Another excellent Little Bighorn video. I've read that Reno wrote a really nasty letter to President Hayes after his second court-martial. Since Hayes saved him once before, you would think that Reno would think twice about "biting the hand that fed him". Looking forward to more great videos!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

He did write a shocking letter to Hayes! I should dig that letter up. He would also later do a bizarre interview when he claimed Custer would be found cowering in the rear during Civil War fights. This did not go over well with the military community. The man did not know how to make nice or how to make friends. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ Thank you for the kind words!! Next up is Myles Keogh for Saint Patrick's Day!! ☘️ Hope to hear from you soon, Siobhan

[@johnzeszut3170]

"Troopers With Custer" by E. A. Brininstool 1952 reprint 1989 is very good.

[@bougeac]

Top quality as usual Siobhan! 🙏

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!! 🎉

[@keithagn]

Thank you for such an excellent, and in depth story. I feel sorry for Reno even though he is the author of his own troubles and demise. In defense of Reno, and all the other surviving members, they all seem to have come out from the Civil War with, no doubt, trauma, PTSD, and I'm sure after the LBH, survivors guilt. Mix into this our old friend alcohol, and it's a sad end. Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thanks, Keith. Trauma and drink brought down quite a few decorated military men.

[@richanglin7994]

Always enjoy your videos. Informative and thought-provoking.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you so much! I always enjoy your comments!!

[@roberttorres8508]

I was truly captivated. Please continue the great work.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Oh such a lovely thing to hear!! Thank you! I'm working on one about Miles Keogh for Saint Patrick's Day ☘️ Hope to hear from you again soon, Robert! Happy weekend, Siobhan

[@vonsprague7913]

Custer killed the 7th by splitting his forces and committing the Regiment to a pre-emptive atack however Maj. Reno left men behind in those woods when he panicked and withdrew to Reno Hill. He knew he was a coward and could never face that, you can make any number of excuses but when you are in charge of mens lives there is no excuse that will do. He was certainly guilty over a long period of conduct unbecoming and rather than being vicitimised by higher command seems to have received far too much leniency. Great video, as always. My thanks Ma'am. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thanks so much! I agree with you about Reno being showing leniency and second (third?) chances but letting them slip through his fingers with more infractions. Regarding Custer splitting his command, here is Godfrey's assessment on that (Godfrey of course being a West Point grad as well, and present at both the Washita and Little Bighorn fights, and having a long military career, retiring as a general): “It is a rare occurrence in Indian warfare that gives a commander the opportunity to reconnoiter the enemy’s position in daylight. This is particularly true if the Indians have knowledge of the presence of troops in the country... When the “signs” indicate a “hot trail” i.e. near approach, the commander judges his distance and by a forced march, usually in the night time, tries to reach the Indian village at night and make his disposition for a surprise attack at daylight. At all events his attack must be made with celerity, and generally without other knowledge of the numbers of the opposing force …” (p136) "The division of the command was not in itself faulty. The same tactics were pursued at the battle of the Washita and were successful. That was a surprise attack and there was full cooperations of the separate commands, each commander carried out his instructions... had Reno made his charge as ordered, or made a bold front even, the Hostiles would have been so engaged in the bottom that Custer's approach from the Northeast would have been such a surprise as to cause a stampede of the village and would have broken the morale of the warriors." (p147) General Godfrey’s Narrative, The Custer Myth, Col Graham

[@vonsprague7913]

@@SiobhanFallon7 thank you so much for your detailed reply. The reason I believe Custers division of his forces to be a mistake is simply because he failed to listen to the elements of his command detailed to reconnoitre the village then failed to issue a clear precise operational order outlining his objectives, attack orders and creating a pincer movement. Instead he "bumped" the enemy, was amazed by the size of the village and became excited. He then, having failed to co-ordinate with his detached units fell back in apparent disarray and tried to conduct a fighting withdrawal in the face of a superior force that was equally mobile and well armed. He had no element of surprise after the initial encounter which he failed to press home and did not have the confidence of his unit commanders. His decision not to take sabres left his men at a significant disadvantage in the close quarter fighting that he knew would develop plus he also refused the Gatling guns which could possibly have been the decisive force multiplier. Imagine if all elements of the 7th had coordinated a pincer attack supported by a battery of Gatling guns and a dismounted troop. The end result might have been quite different and even had the attack failed he would have had a position upon which to strong point and concentrate his forces. Well hindsight is 20/20 but I do have great sympathy for the men of this unhappy regiment. Your work is exceptional and I do hope you continue with it. Kind regards, Andrew

[@Eadbhard]

@@vonsprague7913 The Gatling guns would not have helped Custer at all. They were primarily defensive weapons, and Custer was on the offensive. What is more, Gatling guns were cumbersome, bulky and slow. If Custer did bring them, they would not have been present when the Seventh Cavalry first initiated its attack on the village; the guns would have been way, way in the rear, probably behind even the pack train. What is more, even if he had the time to place them, how could Custer have situated the Gatling guns without losing his element of surprise? Simply put, Gatling guns were an encumbrance; they did not have the mobility for Indian warfare - which mostly consisted of small skirmishes. A few weeks before the battle, when Major Reno conducted his scout, he brought with him one of the Gatling guns. At one point, somewhere along a draw near the Powder River, the gun overturned and injured three soldiers. On his return from that scout, Reno encountered some tortuous terrain that forced his command to temporarily abandon the Gatling gun on a small hillock. When the Terry/Gibbon column made its way up the Bighorn River toward the Little Bighorn, they came upon a hogback near the Bighorn that forced the men of the Gatling gun battery to take apart the Gatling guns and lower the pieces down by ropes; it took all day. They also lost one of the guns in a ravine one night, and they had to abandon it until the next day. In short, the Gatling guns were nothing but a big pain in the ass. Custer made a wise choice in not taking them. The sabres would have been useful for this particular battle, but they would not have changed the outcome of the battle. "...he bumped the enemy, was amazed by the size of the village and became excited." Uhh, no... that's a rather poor description, really. Custer didn't "bumped" the enemy; he knew the village was going to be huge so he was not terribly amazed; and, yes, he was excited, but not in a bad way: "Hurrah, boys, we caught them napping!" "We'll finish them up and go back to our station!" "Hold on to your horses, boys, there's plenty down there for all of us!"

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@vonsprague7913 Hey again, Andrew. Sorry for the delayed response! I tend to agree with @eadbhard -- the gatling had been tested and failed miserably during Reno's scout the previous week, badly injuring soldiers and killing a mule. There was no way it could move with the speed Custer, and cavalry in general, required. And in the same vein, I don't see any way Infantry could have gotten there. The Cheyenne were called "kite" Indians because they moved so fast. And while the 7th may have caught most of the camps by surprise, no way would a lumbering (and lost-- don't forget they ended up getting there a day LATE) column of Gibbon and Terry catch a very mobile Sioux and Cheyenne enemy. The Crow scouts told Custer he had been seen and they needed to attack immediately. Godfrey, Edgerly, Garlington, other Indian Wars cavalry officers who continued to play valid roles in these fights, agreed with Custer's forceful movement forward as the only option available to cavalry who assumed their foe was fleeing. Thanks so much for sharing your take here with me!

[@scottdutra788]

It wasn’t so much the division of command as it was the terrain. Charging up the middle and flanking from the sides is as old as written history. Caesar did it successfully many times as did Custer. The terrain was beautiful for the Indians and horrible for the Calvary. How could he know that at the time.

[@MilesWalterKeogh]

Wonderful! You a amazing! Thank you for your research and work!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Oh! You're amazing! You just made my night 🌙 🙏

[@josephstabile9154]

Thanks so much for this well-researched and vibrantly presented account of major Reno's decline and downfall. Although LBH & Custerania have been hobbies of mine for 60 years, this is the first time I've had this story so comprehensively & yet concisely told. Bravo! There are many enthusiasts of the LBH story that defend major Reno's military actions, largely, I think, because of conclusions they have reached about GAC. My research has led me to take a different tack. I think Reno, well before LBH, was having both liquor and personality issues, that were causing him some minor notoriety among colleagues; there is some evidence for this in the private correspondence accounts. His behavior from LBH on, shows a man progressively losing self-control, exhibiting very defensive, reactive behavior and self-victimization. I think his personal limitations were a large part of the reason he could not cope with the fallout from LBH. I further think Benteen, also a long a hard drinker, and anti-Custer, defended Reno more out of self-protection, than admiration. As an aside, it's interesting to note that men like Benteen, Weir, and French were, like many in the Army at that time (when "the water could kill you") hard drinkers, but could generally comport themselves as officers, on duty and off. Reno could not. Everyone knew it, and it was only a matter of time before sensibilities and regulations were irrevocably offended. Reno's spiral was not only progressive, but his sense of impending disaster must have been increasingly acute. His personal limitations affected his actions at LBH and later. It amazes me that the modern generation, in its hubris, so often seeks to second guess the actual participants and witnesses to real events, super-imposing their sensibilites, and thereby attempting to undermine or invalidate those historical judgements. We, the living, tend to think we've arrived on this planet with all the answers, forgetting that ALL human emotions, and reactions to them, were invented long before man left caves. Only technology has changed.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

That is a really brilliant response, Joseph. So much truth there about these particular historical figures, as well as our modern judgement of them. Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us here 🙏

[@michaelratliff9449]

Thank you for these excellent, historical stories about the 7th Cavalry...I was a member of A trp. 7th Reg. Ist Cav Division in 1976. I was a member of the 7th Cav. detail who had a special memorial service for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of The Little Bighorn...".Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge of this History!.."Garry Owen"! 🇺🇲

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you, Michael! What an honor that detail must have been. Though from what I have heard it must have been quite a troubling day too with the protesting that occurred as well. Thank you for sharing and if you ever want to tell me more about your experiences that day, I'd love to hear.

[@ianbradshaw1770]

Excellent!

[@murrayterry834]

great follow up on the aftermath on the lives of these people and who they were and what happened.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you so much! It's these smaller, lesser known, and human details that I love the most

[@richardcutt727]

Another great video Siobhan. Major Reno never had one happy day after he ordered the retreat from the timber at LBH. He should have chosen glory and to fall with Custer. Had he stayed the outcome of the battle may have been a victory. Or just as possible a massacre of the entire 7th Cavalry. In either event he should have stayed in the valley of the LBH, temporarily or permanently.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thanks, Richard! I agree that he made quite a few regrettable decisions on June 25. I would love to know if he ever doubted himself or regretted his actions? He seems to have an excuse for everything and really believed he was always the victim. He was probably a very unhappy man.

[@richardcutt727]

I don't know for sure but unlike Custer Reno hand the wind up him from the moment he crossed the LBH river to 'attack'. Unlike Custer who was 100% Gung Ho and enjoying the adrenaline rush. Been reading up on Gettysburg recently. On day 2 Custer LED (ie he was point man) a totally crazy charge of 1 Company (down a road between fence rails on either side against Confederate infantry to the north east of Culp's hill. His horse was shot and he was lucky to be saved by a Union Trooper who dismounted and put Custer on his own horse. The two made it out on one horse. The guy had Moxy. @@SiobhanFallon7

[@curtgomes]

I just read the book "WITH CUSTER ON THE LITTLE BIG HORN" by a soldier who survived the battle. The author, William O. Taylor, was with Reno at this battle and just plain lucky to have survived. This recently found manuscript sheds some light on Reno and his character. I believe Private Taylor had great respect for Custer and was a lifelong friend of Custer's wife, Elizabeth Bacon Taylor. His first hand account is well worth the read. Described as "The First-and Only- Eyewitness Account Ever Written"

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yes I have it and it's great!! Thank you for mentioning it!! 📚💕

[@michaelhart6318]

Always enjoy these. Reno's cowardice? No. Reno's inexperience fighting Indians. Benteen's indifference? No. Benteen's exasperation over Custer's arrogance and incompetence reconnoitering the villages before planning the attack. Can't help but feel Sam Sturgis' anguish and guilt for not rightfully leading the 7th during the LBH campaign. Maybe his son Sam Jr. would have survived.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Michael! COL Sturgis rarely led the 7th in the field. He would during the Nez Perce war and Benteen did not have kind words about that experience. Sturgis had spent the majority of his time as 7th CAV commander (pre-LBH) on detached duty, leaving the Custer the reins of the 7th Horse for pretty much everything. That's an interesting question. What would Sturgis have done? I think he would have been overly cautious, much like Gibbon's column during the Centennial Campaign. Regarding Custer's "incompetence reconnoitering"-- here is a great response from Godfrey, who was a West Point graduate like Custer, and who was at both the Washita and Little Bighorn fights. Godfrey would go on to become a general. “It is a rare occurrence in Indian warfare that gives a commander the opportunity to reconnoiter the enemy’s position in daylight. This is particularly true if the Indians have knowledge of the presence of troops in the country... When the “signs” indicate a “hot trail” i.e. near approach, the commander judges his distance and by a forced march, usually in the night time, tries to reach the Indian village at night and make his disposition for a surprise attack at daylight. At all events his attack must be made with celerity, and generally without other knowledge of the numbers of the opposing force …” (p136) "The division of the command was not in itself faulty. The same tactics were pursued at the battle of the Washita and were successful. That was a surprise attack and there was full cooperations of the separate commands, each commander carried out his instructions... had Reno made his charge as ordered, or made a bold front even, the Hostiles would have been so engaged in the bottom that Custer's approach from the Northeast would have been such a surprise as to cause a stampede of the village and would have broken the morale of the warriors." (p147) General Godfrey’s Narrative, The Custer Myth, Col Graham

[@drstrangelove4998]

Thank you Siobhan, in any other European war of that period, Reno and Benteen would have been shot for cowardice, or cashiered? I think Custer not only lacked the twice ordered back-up, also ran out of the ammunition held back by Benteen.

[@johnzeszut3170]

Reno had a bad moment but managed to get hold of himself.

[@Eadbhard]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Way to go with the quotes, Siobhan. That's what separates truth from opinion.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@Eadbhard oh thank you! I try to use eyewitness testimony and contemporary comments as often as possible. I trust their insights and experiences best. I appreciate you noticing! 🙏

[@barbaraanneneale3674]

Another fascinating video. Evan S. Connell said said one time. That the West was not just boring. It was stupendously boring, and when it was not, it was lethal. This should be remembered when talking about frontier life. By all accounts, Reno was a very unlikable characsir. That coupled with his apparent failure to manage. His personal life made him extremely unpopular. However, trusting Whitaker as a source has proven to be A difficult proposition at best. On the other hand benteen's testimony Is also questionable. These issues involving Reno gave venteencover for his own failure to obey a direct written order. Reno was definitely no hero and was also apparently very currently very unpleasant. But he was not a coward. Just a poor commander. Please keep up your good work. You have no idea how much I enjoy these Presentations .

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Barbara, what a lovely message. Thank you, as always, for your kind words. I think he was rather unlikable and also a bully. Which are very difficult character traits to mix with power and alcohol!!

[@barbaraanneneale3674]

I completely agree with you. But he's civil war service Negates any idea of his cowardice. I still maintain he has been unfairly maligned. Ma'am in connection connection With the little big horn​. If he had truly believed that he was surrounded, then drawing his pistol and charging to the rear. Is another example of that. But I still maintain he was rattled by the shooting of 6bloody knife. We are also uncertain as to why there were no bugle calls. Perhaps the bugler was shot. Now I am sure as a military wifewho are promoted ahead of where you think they ought to be. This is the case with Marcus reno.

[@lynnflynn5591]

If you had been my high school history teacher, I would've paid attention and PASSED. Fascinating video. I'm a subscriber now!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yay thank you!! 🤣 🙌🎉

[@sunnyjacksmack]

Wonderful. Your depth of research goes deeper than any one else on this platform. Thank you

[@SiobhanFallon7]

You say such lovely things about these videos. Much appreciated. This one took awhile to put together so I'm very happy the research came across. Thanks for commenting. It's always good to hear from you!!

[@sunnyjacksmack]

​@@SiobhanFallon7 Your hard work shows. Much of what appears on KZbin is A I and has no feeling looking forward to your next release,

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@sunnyjacksmack thank you! I hope to do one on Captain Miles Keogh and post it before Saint Patrick's Day!! Wish me luck!! ☘️

[@sunnyjacksmack]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Odd that. I came across segment of a diary belonging to a confederacy soldier at pickets charge. he we laying wounded next to LT Keough . Iy no further than that so am intending see if there is relationship.. I DO WISH YOU LUCK.. keep the faith and fight the good fight.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@sunnyjacksmack wow, great find! There is always new material revealing itself, we just have to be wise enough to recognize it and piece it together 🙏 📚

[@tomroberts9794]

Reno's character seems completely reprobate, and not to be defended. His conduct at LBH may not be clearly unlawful but considered in light of his other defilements, the man should have been drummed out of the military unceremoniously. As the military has become increasingly corrupted in modern times, the seeds of its demise were long ago sewn. I have two sons who are veterans and have experienced the poor leadership and misfeasance of commanding officers. It's rather heartbreaking. Great video!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you, Tom! I like to think that there really was doubt about Reno's behavior previous to and during the Little Bighorn... but that Sturgis came to his senses once his daughter was involved. I also like to think that, though flawed, the US military still is full of some of the best people in America! I'm a military spouse so I better 😉🙏🇺🇸 Good to hear from you and I hope to hear from you again soon!

[@talkietoaster4626]

Great stuff again! I heard of his issues after LBH but never is such depth.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!! Putting it all together sort of blew my mind too. All in the span of about 3.5 years! 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@frankperkin124]

Excellent video. Alcohol was definitely an issue in the army.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yes indeed.

[@gerardodwyer5908]

"Barracks" boredom, flirtations with perilously "complex" women fused with often voracious gossip were key factors behind the rise and unceremonious fall of many senior ranked Army officers in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's probably still the case.

[@johnashton485]

Excellent presentation! Says a lot about Reno's complete lack of moral character which in my humble opinion goes a long way to explain his performance at the battle of the Little Big Horn !

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Good point, John, thank you!!

[@screechowl75]

For me it is hard to pass judgement without having been there. I do believe that the combined forces of Bentyne and Reno would not have made a difference and could have resulted in more Kia's maybe they all would have died.

[@Jay_Hall]

screech, U are mistaken, a command is to move toward the sound of the firing, not dilly dally for up to 2 hours. Death or not. :(

[@Storm-lg4mx]

@@Jay_Hall, one of the oldest military Maxims......Ride to the Sound of the Guns.....Well done Lt. Weir.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

It is hard to know without being there-- which is why I think we still talk about it today! So many possibilities. And we will never know everything. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! 🙏

[@frankenz66]

​@@Jay_HallIf they had been able to flank from at least two other sides with all three detachments being involved, they may have only slowed the inevitable. Their carbines were not functioning properly and being out numbered almost ten to one look pretty bleak. If they could have flanked them simultaneously as they assailed Custer's band it may have generated enough short term panic to allow the troops to escape. Then stands the question if Custer would have had the sense (ego) to retreat.

[@frankenz66]

​@@Jay_Hall But you are a 💯 you run to danger.

[@markhubanks3715]

Hi Siobhan, Great Job looking at this topic from a woman's point of view and being a military spouse. My take on Reno is that he was totally spent mentally after the Little Big Horn and his wife's death. I'm sure he relived that battle over and over again the rest of his life even though his small force would have made no difference in trying to rescue Custer but to add to the body count. The lady's knew what they were doing and it was great for their egos having other officer's flirtation. Where Reno went off the reservation is that he let his emotions and rank cloud his good judgement and paid the price. Again Great Job Siobhan!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

He really did. His decisions were flawed -- from the bar fights to the flirtations to the gossip. He knew better than to behave like that as a commander. I know these things all seem small when you look at them individually, but when I put it all together I think his dismissal was just, and necessary for maintaining good order and respect for the command of the 7th.

[@markhubanks3715]

@@SiobhanFallon7 OH I totally agree. Having been in a command position there is no room for that kind of behavior, you will lose all respect of your subordinates and will never regain it.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@markhubanks3715 he may have squeaked by with one or the other but physically fighting with his subordinates and hitting on the women, it was too much.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@markhubanks3715 Exactly!

[@jimmyz2098]

Fantastic content! I am an amateur historian of sorts - an amateur at best, but a lover and a student of history. I love world history as well - but my real love is American history. And lately, I have been studying up and reading about LBH, Custer, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, and the rest of the players. And this is awesome content. Looking forward to getting more into your work! Subbed!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!! Right now I'm working on a bio on Bloody Knife, Custer's favorite scout, who was raised in the same village as Sitting Bull and Gall. Insane story. I hope to put it up this week. 🤞 Thanks so much for the kind comments and for subscribing!!

[@jimmyz2098]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Awesome! I'd like to read that when it comes out. If I'm not mistaken, Gall was particularly hard on Bloody Knife, and thus, Bloody Knife had seeked revenge on him for years afterward. That's what a lot of people don't understand. The Native Americas were terriblu hard on one another - tribal wars, but even within groups and tribes. I think Gall was a big time bully - and one tough SOB too.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@jimmyz2098 yes!!! Bloody Knife's interactions with Gall are crazy.

[@johnandrews3547]

The argument can be made that Major Reno was the only officer of the 7th Cavalry to follow his orders and attack the Lakota/Cheyenne camp. His astute tactical assessment in a brutally lethal environment saved the lives of his troopers. Full honor has been righteously restored to this intrepid warrior.

[@drstrangelove4998]

I don’t think Reno did follow orders. It seems he had a drink problem and was a bit of a sex pest. Benteen had a pathological jealousy of Custer and likewise ignored orders. They had many months to conjure up their alibis between them before the Reno Enquiry. Custer if course could not defend himself.

[@johnandrews3547]

@@drstrangelove4998 yeah but in the face of life and death these men knew their lives depended on each other. I think they were able to recognize this and put aside their small mindedness, Just my opinion sir.

[@recalcitrantradical7312]

Nicely done. Reno and Bentine made the Army much better when they were on leave or suspention. Reno wad reinstated a few years ago, I wonder what those officers were thinking.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yes, I imagine the 7th was not to happy about his return, which was probably a large part of the motivation for retroactively pushing for charges for his earlier bar fight with Varnum etc in September 1876. And while Benteen had lots of testimonials from soldiers and officers who defended his action and praised him for his behavior at the LBH, I have found very little in support of Reno. Thank you for the kind words! I'm working on one about Myles Keogh now!

[@dustinneely]

Great stuff. Thank you.

[@dennismitchell5414]

You , your channel and content are great ! . I just finished watching this and couldn't not subscribe . My two favorite historical periods are the Civil War and The Old West . I'd like to hear the story about how the former Confederate Officer Rosser ended up in the United States Cavalry . Much ❤ and respect from Baltimore Maryland 👍👍

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Ooohhh I actually started reading up on Rosser, thinking I'd do a video of him, but then a few other folks jumped the line and I have working on them instead!! Please know I intend on covering him someday!! Thanks so much 🙏

[@Jay_Hall]

Most impressive work on your part and most valuable. (As usual). I have formed an opinion of Benteen and Reno being caustic P.O.S. and this confirms it even more. I did not know that Wallace was also a cohort of this unholy alliance. I believe Wallace was killed at Wounded Knee, possibly by friendly fire, I will have to check him out more. I also believe that Wallace had an Officers Model Springfield 45-70, the where about of that firearm today would be of great interest.

[@bwm3013]

Great video Siobhan! When you said you were working on your delivery (ands, ums) you were not kidding. Great job!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Really?? Yay! Thank you. 🎉🎉🎉 I still catch myself doing it all the time but I am at least aware now and trying! Thanks for the feedback!

[@alan15768]

Thanks for posting this one, interesting people interesting history associated with the 7th Calvary .

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you! I'm amazed at how many layers there are to these 7th CAV relationships, the friendships and families, gossip and rumor, so much is connected.

[@redemptivepete]

Its hard to feel very much sympathy for Reno! That said the loss of his wife and son and the experience at Little Big Horn must have been horrendous! Would some of his behaviour be seen as the result of Post Traumatic Stress in the 21st century? That isnt to excuse his behaviour! I also wonder about Benteen's support ... here was a man who despised most other officers and had little time for Reno! I wonder if Benteen felt he needed to back Reno as cover for events at LBH?

[@pimpompoom93726]

Major Reno sounds like the type of guy that, wherever he goes-trouble follows. This pattern of behavior clearly signals someone with 'issues', the Army was right to dismiss him after so much earlier leniency. After Reno's first wife passed, he was married twice more-both women divorced him for 'neglect'. As per the fight over a billiards game, since when do senior officers gamble with junior officers?? Not in the military when I served!!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Gambling may have been a common flaw among officers at the time. Benteen boasts of beating Custer at cards and clearing out him and Thomas Weir. But coming to blows multiple times with junior officers-- I agree. Definitely, Reno did not command the respect a senior leader needs. Thank you so much for your insights!

[@cplmpcocptcl6306]

This calls into question every action this vile officer took.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

It does.

[@pigmanobvious]

Poor Reno. The original Sad Sack! Life just never worked out for him.

[@josephcreaden6281]

Excellent job Siobhan!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank so much, Joe. Going over the material again and again and still new things come to light. I had no idea Benteen was Reno's go to defense guy in every military proceeding!! And yet Benteen goes to his death bed saying he and Reno were not friends, and he certainly has no kind word for Reno in his letters to Goldin. So many layers here. As you well know with your own research...

[@josephcreaden6281]

You are very welcome and you are right there are many layers to the story. The Benteen - Reno relationship is certainly a strange one with many contradictions. @@SiobhanFallon7

[@allinfun829]

I'd like to bring one of these people from 1876 to 1976. The changes made in those 100 years are staggering. I doubt they would know what to do.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

So true!

[@richardschultz8001]

Great job....good account of Major Reno and the seventh cavalry.......

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!! 🐎

[@johnzeszut3170]

One of the better books was by E. A. Brininstool "Troopers With Custer" originally from 1925 with a 1989 reprint tells another story about Reno and Benteen who were sort of left pretty much on their own when things went bad. Anyway please keep you articles and observations coming! Thanks!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!! I have the Brininstool. It's a classic 🙏

[@johnzeszut3170]

Almost finished "Inventing Custer" Caudill-Ashdown 2015. @@SiobhanFallon7

[@greggcorbett9344]

Great storytelling!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I really appreciate that! 🙏🎉

[@patrickmoriarty7273]

Well done ~ excellent story ~ well told ~ supported helpful graphics ~👍

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you, Patrick!! I was thinking I should have done a visual time line as I jumped around quite a bit. So glad it all made sense and resonated with you! 🙏

[@clintgrimsley]

Reno and benteen would've been wiped out also..... i don't blame them

[@johnzeszut3170]

Yes - had it not been for these two officers the entire command would have been no more. Custer was probably trying to do a Black Kettle battle by entering the camp and taking women and children as hostages - I think Reno was the bait to lure the Natives away. Anyway Custer's luck ran out.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I'll let Godfrey speak to that: "The division of the command was not in itself faulty. The same tactics were pursued at the battle of the Washita and were successful. That was a surprise attack and there was full cooperations of the separate commands, each commander carried out his instructions... had Reno made his charge as ordered, or made a bold front even, the Hostiles would have been so engaged in the bottom that Custer's approach from the Northeast would have been such a surprise as to cause a stampede of the village and would have broken the morale of the warriors." (p147) General Godfrey’s Narrative, The Custer Myth, Col Graham

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I'll let Godfrey speak to that: "The division of the command was not in itself faulty. The same tactics were pursued at the battle of the Washita and were successful. That was a surprise attack and there was full cooperations of the separate commands, each commander carried out his instructions... had Reno made his charge as ordered, or made a bold front even, the Hostiles would have been so engaged in the bottom that Custer's approach from the Northeast would have been such a surprise as to cause a stampede of the village and would have broken the morale of the warriors." (p147) General Godfrey’s Narrative, The Custer Myth, Col Graham

[@basicbrit1]

Many thanks for a most excellent & fascinating presentation. An alternative might be "Reno the Social Hand Grenade"!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣🤣🤣

[@philll9868]

Wow The loves and lives of Major Reno and the 7th Cavalry sounds like a Hollywood series staring Brad Pit ,George Clooney......................

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Ha ha!! Let them know the screen play is theirs for the taking!! 🤣

[@marshallsmom]

What a strange man! Can alcohol alone account for his odd behavior?

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I don't think so. If he was truly a wreck of a man from drinking I think Terry or Sturgis would have found a way to quietly relieve him, especially after the first Mrs. Bell court martial (and Sturgis could have not rejected the Varnum bar fight charges if he wanted Reno gone.)

[@npc77107]

Awesome video!! I thought I knew all there was to know about the Custer saga, The pictures are just icing on the cake, along with the accents you give some of the southern types! 😊

[@SiobhanFallon7]

You are the best!! I keep waiting for someone to make fun of my accents on this video but people have been very kind 🤣🤣🤣 Friends generously shared photos I had never seen before, which I used here. And I never heard the details of Ella's jilted lover's death until a friend sent me the newspaper article about it just as i was finishing this video. I learn so much myself when I put these together, and enjoy it all so much. Please tell me what other videos you like! I'm working on Captain Miles Keogh now for Saint Patrick's Day. Thanks for watching and I hope to hear from you again ☘️☘️☘️

[@npc77107]

@SiobhanFallon7 Please thank your husband for his service, I'm a retired 1st responder from the northeast. I can't wait for the Myles Keogh video!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@npc77107 thank you!!! Check back around Saint Patrick's Day pleas! And if you watch my other videos, please let me know what other ones you've liked. All best, Siobhan 🙏

[@karldh]

Great video, well researched and presented. I just subscribed and look forward to see your other videos.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you! 🎉 I'm trying to finish one on Myles Keogh in time for St Patrick's Day! 🍀

[@karldh]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Thanks, I saw that one the day it dropped. Well done! He had an amazing life. So sad that love seemed to elude him. I think any descendants of his would have been interesting people. My brother Bryan and his wife were able to take a vacation to visit the battlefield and brought back many wonderful stories. They had better luck with the weather than your torrential downpour. I found your video of the museum that day very interesting, in particular the case of the first simple grave markers. This brings up a topic I would love to see discussed as I am viewing it as someone looking to make their first visit there after watching several video tours. There appears to be a great duplication of different year grave markers for the same grave. I was born in Chicago so I understand the immediate need to bury the bodies in a hot humid summer and eventually move them to local or distant burials to fulfill family wishes. Several friends would remark that two men died here and here and here by mistake. Also some markers are for a grave that is actually not on the Park land. Sort of confusing at times. Most are surprised at how big the distances are compared to how it is portrayed in movies. I also found it interesting that the 7th cavalry would have troops of similar horse colors like blacks, bays, greys, etc. Some distant observations on the day of the battle were made by the color of the horses for a particular troop.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@karldh I have some info about the coloring of the horses I will try to dig up for you. And I have heard some theories about the markers, and why they are paired, and how there are actually too many on the battlefield = human body parts found and uncertainty if they were remains of one or two men, etc. Great ideas for me here, thank you for the suggestions and enjoy planning your trip! The battlefield is under construction this summer and opened just on the weekends I believe (when are you considering visiting?). I think the work and new visitor's center is supposed to be done summer of 2026 😬

[@karldh]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Thank you for letting me know about the construction. It might make sense to visit after it is completed. I think I would want at least two days or more to take it all in? Very good point about the body parts. Very glad you know about the troops with thrown color horses. Apparently the Union considered trying this in the Civil War but the constant need for new mounts made this infeasible. I loved your story on Reno’s Courts of Inquiry. This was the first I had heard of this, or of his inexcusable behavior at various postings. It helps explain why he seemed to have so many detractors, always not part of “in crowd”. I am sure his behavior would have spread in letters to other posts. I cannot see how this wouldn’t tarnish how fellow officers viewed him if their wives and daughters were subject to his advances.

[@patrickkennedy8706]

Im proud of both the presenter and comments. No one has used the word “Calvary”.

[@gar9429]

Wow what a rascal. Very interesting. Thank you!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣 "rascal"! I love it! Thank you!!

[@billschnelzer9943]

I had the Little Bighorn war game and I really don't think there was any way Custer could be successful. This being said I don't think Reno could have helped Custer but it was his duty to try.....

[@SiobhanFallon7]

That's pretty much what Lt Edgerly (who went on to become a general) said at the Reno Court of Inquiry.

[@gator83261]

Very good video.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Much appreciated!!

[@tudyk21]

This video reinforces my low opinion of Reno. His pursuit of the married woman Bell in particular compelled me to consider him a real s...heel.

[@tudyk21]

Likewise for Benteen.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣 Reno's social skills leave something to be desired... 🤣

[@zingwilder9989]

I don't wish to place blame on this officer for his conduct at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, as I wasn't there to see him in action. However, the possibility exists that if he had gone to Custer's aid, a greater slaughter would have ensued? Nonetheless, his later behavior was utterly despicable. He was a sad excuse for a USMA graduate and was more of a bum than a Field Grade Officer.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Very true 😥

[@dieternowatius5062]

Detailed Skeletons hiding in Renos closet alive and kicking 🤭 Unbelievable stuff never known about 😯 Thanks 😉👍

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣 thank you!!! 💀 😉

[@Freedomfred939]

I had always faulted Custer for selecting two subordinates that any rational leader would have no confidence in. Military tradition dictated seniority but Custer himself was great example of leaders passing over others that were senior. Could he have left Reno back on the Yellowstone, especially after getting so much criticism after his scout?

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I don't know. The 7th was so short on officers, too many guys on detached service, and they were just all around under-staffed. Benteen was next in rank after Reno.

[@Freedomfred939]

@SiobhanFallon7 better for Custer would have been to put Keogh in charge of the flanking movement and kept an eye on all the moving pieces of his regiment and the Indian reactions instead. He didn't so from a leadership perspective Custer deserves the label of brash and reckless.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@robertschanke5589 I've only ever heard that Custer followed the proper rules of military hierarchy/ rank and chain of command when giving Benteen and Reno their roles that day 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@michaelhart6318]

Are you referring to Retired Brev. Brigadier General Fredrick W. Benteen?

[@Freedomfred939]

@@michaelhart6318 yes

[@frankenz66]

It sounds as if Reno was lucky he didn't end up, face down, shot, on some bar room floor at some point. Of course, they kept weapons out of the saloons and clubs in reality. He is/was trouble.

[@scaredy-cat]

Generals Terry, Crook and Col Gibbon as superiors were the most responsible of the failure of President Grants mission.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Indeed. I too think they deserved quite a bit of blame. And they were not eager for the world to know it. So they did not mind the Custer/ Reno/ Benteen drama getting all the media coverage at the time.

[@ivannio8519]

Very interessant :) Thank you!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you!!

[@ivannio8519]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Been a LBH nerd for 25 years. Great to find this close up portrait of M. Reno :) A shady figure, but the scout he did days before the LBH disaster, was very well carried out in my opinion, he improvised his orders but gathered important informations about the direction and pace of the moving warrior villages. Best regards from Denmark :)

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@ivannio8519 I do think historians tend to overlook the ramifications of that scout. Glad you brought it up. On the one hand Reno brought back great info, but both Terry and Custer were furious (for different reasons). Custer had wanted him to be more daring on that scout, yet he again gave him a task that involved more daring than perhpas Reno was capable when he sent him down into the valley at the Little Bighorn. I think the earlier reaction of his superiors may have made Reno even more cautious on June 25, 1876. That scout also gave Reno first hand knowledge that he was up against A LOT of Indians, and made him more fearful of what would happen/expecting ambush etc, and impacted his decisions that day. I'd love to hear more of your insights on my other videos too! Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. All best, Siobhan

[@ivannio8519]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Thank you for you kind reply :) In John S. Gray`s book "Custers Last Campaign" I studied Gray´s "time & motion patterns" over and over again. I was impressed with the info gathered by Reno and his indian scouts. And you say something new here...pointing to the harsh treatment of Reno after the scout. 1. Reno was subdued and afraid of more scolding..and was not very confident as an effect. 2. You nailed it...Reno knew about how many warriors they were up against because of what he learnt on the scout mission. I will go and look for other videos by you ;) Another interesting sidestory in the LBH campaign is Gen. Gibbons march along the Yellowstone river. Especially scouts by liutenant Bradley and his Crow scouts. I could go on and on :)) Please bear with any language mistakes by me. Hope you get the points :)

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@ivannio8519 go on and on! I love your insights. Bradley's reports are excellent!

[@charlescarroll6955]

Reno seems like a very haunted man. He had been through a lot and he just cracked up.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

He wouldn't be the only one who did after this fight 😢

[@Boomhower89]

Frontier western heritage is the channel that spoke of dr Porter? Sending a letter and he reads it about Custer’s wounds and not to speak of what he wrote until Libby passes.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Will find it! Thank you!!

[@scottdutra788]

I really enjoy your videos, I learn something in everyone. Honestly I would have respected Reno and Benteen if they took more responsibility at the LBH. yes Custer was in command but so were they. Seems both were not good people generally speaking so I’m not sure how they can be good leaders.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Great points, Scott. Some men loved Benteen. But Reno seemed to be disliked by most of the men and fellow officers. Which says enough right there.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

And thank you!

[@chrislouden7329]

Remember Custer lied to Reno saying he would back up his charge and never did. Captain Benteen saw no choice but to back up Reno! Custer had a never ending ego and was a glory hound

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I remember Custer saying this, but where is the "lie?" Other officers would later say that Custer meant to support Reno with his flank movement, a common cavalry move and one famously and effectively used at the Battle of the Washita, hitting the village on the other side and drawing the warriors away from Reno. Reno himself would say this in his official report after the fight (though he would back track and contradict himself during the Reno Court of Inquiry in 1879). If I may quote Reno's report made on July 5, 1876, "After following over his trail, it is evident to me that Custer intended to support me by moving further down the stream and attacking village in flank..." And Garlington of the 7th CAV would later write, “The plan of General Custer-- stated very briefly-seems to have been to attack the Indian village on the Little Big Horn from three directions, as nearly simultaneously as possible. This had been his plan in 1868 when he so successfully defeated Black Kettle on the Washita in Indian Territory. To this end he divided the regiment into three parts: one of which he commanded himself (5 troops); one commanded by Major Reno; the other by Captain Benteen. One troop protected the pack train. He indicated, as near as he could, the respective points of attack, and immediately set out to make his own attack-and that was the last ever seen of him or any of his command..."

[@josephcreaden6281]

Exactly right Siobhan, great use of the accounts from the Washita fight. By the way, "glory" had nothing to do with the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Custer wrote on several occasion that there was to be no "glory" to be found in the Indian Wars. @@SiobhanFallon7

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@josephcreaden6281 thanks, Joe. I agree.

[@michaelhart6318]

Custer didn't lie, he just issued an order without sufficient information or knowledge of the situation. Not a liar, just grossly irresponsible and incompetent. Benteen's wild goose chase scouting odyssey to the southwest exhausted the horses and placed him out of range to provide support. The survivors of the 7th were lucky Benteen was there to clean up Custer's mess. Custer's death was a self-correcting error.

[@Eadbhard]

@@michaelhart6318 By mid-morning June 25, 1876, Custer was basing his operations primarily upon intelligence from his scouts. Custer's Indian scouts told him that the regiment had likely been spotted by wandering Sioux and Cheyenne hunting parties, and they advised Custer to attack the village immediately. Custer's original plan was to do a reconnaissance around the area of the village, rest his regiment, then attack the village the next day, June 26 - which, by the way, was the same day the Terry/Gibbon column was suppose to arrive at the mouth of the Little Bighorn River. Fearing the Indians in the village would escape or, worse, foreseeing that the warriors in the village might try to ambush his regiment before he even reached the village, Custer took the advice of his scouts and prepared to attack the camp that very afternoon. Since reconnoitering the area around the village was no longer an option, Custer moved his men out as a reconnaissance-in-force. That is to say, the regiment would observe and scout as they rode toward the village for the attack; such as it were, Custer sent Benteen's column off to the left. Benteen's "scouting odyssey" was not a "wild goose chase", it was a necessity. When Custer sent Benteen's battalion to scout the area beyond the ridges to the south, he was being adroit, judicious and using well-reasoned thought. Custer needed to know if any Indians from the village were fleeing in that direction. More to it, he needed to know if there were any satellite villages in that area. For all of that, Custer absolutely expected Benteen to consolidate with the rest of the regiment once the battle commenced. He also expected Benteen to inform him of his scout by sending couriers. Benteen did neither of these two things. Benteen's "wild goose chase" did not exhaust all of his horses. At one point, the Captain actually used some logical thinking and just sent a few men under Lt. Gibson to spy out the ridges to the south. Also, had Benteen moved with any kind of alacrity - especially after receiving Custer's urgent orders to "Come on" and "Be quick" - he would have been in range to provide support. At the Little Bighorn, Custer was, "grossly irresponsible and incompetent"? I suppose you think he was also a glory-obsessed, arrogant fool too, don't you? So runs the common narrative, made popular by people who know little about the man. Allow me to restate a few excerpts here that come from two premier historians. Unlike you, they are experts; as such, their opinions carry more weight than anything you could ever write. Truth be told, I have yet to read the biographer or scholar who ever labeled George Armstrong Custer as a "irresponsible and incompetent" combat commander. You have done so, but no historian will. Then again, a historian's viewpoint is based solely upon the facts. From "Custer's Trials", by T.J. Stiles: "The popular narrative contains some truth about every aspect of Custer's life EXCEPT his performance in battle - the one field in which he displayed consistent good judgement and self possession. From the Civil War, to the Washita, and through his two battles on the Yellowstone, he proved decisive, not reckless; shrewd, not foolish. Custer's adeptness on the battlefield was unprecedented. In every other regard, he danced along the emerging world, unable to adapt to it. He failed in the new sphere of finance, he offended his military superiors, he wrote antiquated prose, mismanaged subordinates, alienated civilian authorities, meddled inappropriately in politics, endangered his marriage, and gambled away his estate. Again and again, however, he saved himself through his remarkable ability to fight. And yet, ironically, people remember him as a bad commander." From "Cavalier in Buckskin", by Robert Utley: "George Custer does not deserve the indictment that history has imposed on him for his actions at the Little Bighorn. Given what he knew at each decision point and what he had every reason to expect of his subordinates, one is hard pressed to say what he ought to have done differently. In truth, at the Little Bighorn, 'Custer's Luck' simply ran out. Although the failures of his subordinates have contributed, and the strength and prowess of the foe certainly contributed, Custer died the victim less of bad judgement than of bad luck."

[@patrickkennedy8706]

And it wasn’t Reno’s decision to march the horses down to nothing before engaging.

[@aa64912]

Wonder how much the trauma he experienced in both the Cival War and other conflicts affected his ability to exercise sound judgment? He indeed was not fit to command

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Great question. Others were able to function and thrive. Reno could not.

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Reno's orgins in the #METOO movement.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@DarrenSloan]

Having junior officer visiting wifes of officers on tour is suspicious to me and going out for rides together

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yes. Custer would warn Libbie about this very thing.

[@carlkoch4678]

These are great Siobahn

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Thank you, Carl!! 🙏

[@scaredy-cat]

Seems Reno would rather fight fellow soldiers and avoid Indian combat

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Ha!! Yes he was quite a bar brawler... Indian fighter, not so much... 😉

[@hunternowicki8123]

@Siobha Fallon, Reno seems like a total creep after the LBH battle.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Yeah, I agree. And a bully. Drink did not help him either 😬🤷🏼‍♀️

[@tbenedict6335]

Very well done. Benteen i imagine hated to have to go to bat for Reno but knowing without Reno it would have been him branded the coward.😂 Reno was definitely off after the battle i cant imagine most the nation thinking you a coward and whether ptsd,anxiety during the battle he at least attempted his orders. Benteen failed his miserably,Benteen reminds me of a disgruntled narcissist who never received the recognition he thought he earned,Benedict Arnold was such a man. If Reno was not influenced or had been smarter im not sure that he couldn't have put all of this onto Benteen. A deal had to be made to hide Reno's faults and cover Benteen while doing so.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Benteen and Reno do seem to have a very complicated relationship. Especially as Benteen later said that they weren't friends. Yet he was Reno's #1 defense. I need to look into this more... Thank you for your excellent insights!!

[@michaelhart6318]

Fred hated to "go to bat" for anyone but he did have an outstanding baseball team.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@michaelhart6318 he sure did. I love that chapter of 7th CAV history! Maybe I'll do a video on their baseball skills someday!! 🙌💕

[@Eadbhard]

Benteen slapped Reno across the face once, and I think he challenged him to a duel. I believe it was in 1872 or '73, at some trading post in the Dakota territory.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@Eadbhard yes!!

[@buckospiffle594]

Siobhan - greetings from Australia. Firstly, many thanks for being willing to share your work on this highly controversial and provocative subject. These events do not occur in a vacuum, and it helps my understanding greatly to establish the context and personalities (as best we can tell) involved. I am continuously astounded at the depth of passion and extreme opinions generated by discussion of Custer and the L.B.H., perhaps a symptom of modern social media. At times I strongly disagree with many of your (and other's) opinions, but so what? In fairness and balance, it should be mentioned that Custer was (probably) no saint either. I've read he contracted Gonorrhea, is accused of an affair with at least one Cheyenne woman while married to Libby, was profoundly racist towards newly liberated slaves in the South and conducted several "dubious" business activities (see T.J. Stiles "Custers Troubles" and W.A. Graham "The Custer Myth"). Not to mention he left Libby with considerable debt. Personally, I believe all three of Custer, Reno, and Benteen made mistakes that day, but I believe the single largest reason for the outcome was the completely unexpected response from the Indians/Native Americans. I've read time and time again that the army expected the Indians to "skedaddle", i.e., fight only long enough (defensively) to escape. The tribes on the L.B.H. were angry and only too willing to take the fight to the soldiers. I would argue that on that fateful day, the 7th Cavalry walked into a "Buzz-saw". Evidence? Crook engaged the same Indians (though approximately only 800 - 900 strong, probably 1,500 plus by the time of the L.B.H.) at the Rosebud 8 days earlier, and arguably was lucky not to have a portion of his command meet the same fate as Custer, even though he outnumbered his opponents. It seems Crook was so rattled by this unexpected aggression that he retreated to regroup (see P.L.Hedren "Rosebud"). Custer's decision to further split his 5 companies and Benteen's slow approach after the scout, which in the face of superior numbers and with 20/20 hindsight i.m.h.o. seem "suicidal" and "dereliction of duty" respectively, make far more sense to me if we allow the prevailing thought of how the Indians should or would respond to be foremost in their minds. Some questions if I may; 1) I believe each trooper carried 100 rounds of carbine and 24 rounds of pistol ammunition respectively. Given even a modest rate of two rounds per minute with no misfires or dropped cartridges, that's only an hour before ammo runs out. I can't see how it can be argued Custer fought for more than an hour before being overrun. I also strongly suspect that I would be firing a lot faster than two shots a minute if I had 1,500 enemies who wanted to kill me coming at me! I believe surprisingly few cartridges were found on last stand hill, though I think there is enough testimony to assume such occurred. 2) Custer's note to Benteen regarding "be quick, bring packs" seems to ignore Reno's situation. Surely, he would also need further ammunition? Any idea why Custer seemingly made no provision/gave orders for such? 3) I wonder if too much emphasis isn't given to relationships within the 7th Cavalry command structure. I'm sure we've all had the "pleasure" of working with people we do not get along with, but it doesn't automatically follow that we allowed such to affect our work. I was employed in an ambulance service for over 20 years, and frankly often had to work with people I couldn't stand, but differences were put aside and the patient(s) was given the best possible care while working. I believe Benteen was good friends with Keogh and Yates, the latter firmly in the "Custer camp." Anyway, I shall now "hunker down" and await the assault for daring to give my opinion! But again Siobhan, thank you so much for sharing your hard work. Even though I doubtless will disagree with every page, I look forward to purchasing your book on the L.B.H.! 😄😄😄😄

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Hello! Lots in that message! Been traveling but when I get back to my books and my laptop, I'll reply! Thanks for the kind words and for watching from Australia!! I love your country. Cheers, Siobhan

[@buckospiffle594]

Thanks Siobhan, don't worry if you are too busy, I just thought you or other subscribers may have pondered my questions also. Subbed by the way, and recommended such to several friends who are also interested in L.B.H. In Australia in the 1960's (yes, I am old) we grew up watching westerns (Bonanza, Rifleman, Custer of the West, Rin Tin Tin, et. al.) hence my interest. Cheers. @@SiobhanFallon7

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Hello! Sorry for the delayed response but you covered so much I had to make sure I had sufficient time to address at least a few of the points you bring up!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Absolutely I too try to be fair and balanced. And I agree that Custer was no saint. But this is a short video about Reno, so why would I bring up Custer's supposed venereal diseases and his rumored liasions? I didn't even bring up the fact that Reno had been diagnosed with syphillis when he was at West Point, nor did I address quite a few unsavory reports about Reno being caught in flagranto with someone in the 7th cav (in a stable), as well as other unwanted attentions he tried on other 7th cavalry family members. So I thought I was actually being very conservative here and trying very hard to only present evidence rather than hearsay... ;) However, I do plan on doing a video on Custer's relationship with Monasetah/ Meotzi. I touch on it in my video about the captives taken after the Battle of the Washita, if you want to take a look at that in the meantime!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

About the rate of fire from Custer's column-- Native accounts vary, of course, just as soldier/ officer testimony are often at odds. But from cross referencing and trying out different timelines (Greg Michno's Lakota Noon is fantastic) it seems that the firing was not intense the entire time. Custer had to move all the way across that large expanse of space, if the fighting was sudden and explosive right away, he couldn't have gotten anywhere. I think he was still in an offensive motion moving forward until he was not. And I don't think he was surrounded until about 2 hours after Reno and Benteen had gotten to Reno Benteen Hill.

[@patrickkennedy8706]

Ask the men in Reno’s command what they think about his decisions.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Well, we certainly can't ask the men in Custer's command what they thought of Reno's actions... 😉🤷🏼‍♀️

[@allinfun829]

Sturgis the biker rally? He would be proud!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣🛵

[@johnandrews3547]

Quality offering that lacks any citations or references. Entertainment value only. Not for academic consideration.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

This was not intended to be academic in any way. But if you would like to request any sources I used, I can provide.

[@johnandrews3547]

It is a massive error by any historian to judge events of 147 years ago by today's standard. Certainly, an amusing tale.

[@titanscerw]

Reno was quiet a pig ... also was he a nasty piece before LBH or was this him coping with guilt gnawing on him internaly? +][+

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Good question. Supposedly, he and Benteen nearly had a brawl themselves a couple years before the Little Bighorn. I should see what kind of info I can dig up before the battle and if he seemed like a nicer guy before everything fell apart...

[@cpr2450]

They would have ALL died. Even Weir turned back..

[@SiobhanFallon7]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/inm8aoqofqxrjrMsi=60y35povgru1CSsl You might want to take a look at my Thomas Weir series. Weir had differing opinions...

[@richardcutt727]

Ah! Victorian repressed sexuality at it's peak. Must have been a nightmare on those army posts. Poor old Reno with his nostrils pressed against the window pane.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

🤣🤣🤣 👃

[@angloaust1575]

It was a military foulup Custer should have waited For terry and gibbons troops To support him!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

Here is the entirety of Terry's orders and I don't see him telling Custer to wait for him: "Headquarters of the Department of Dakota (In the Field) Camp at Mouth of Rosebud River, Montana Territory June 22nd, 1876 Lieutenant-Colonel Custer, 7th Calvary Colonel: The Brigadier-General Commanding directs that, as soon as your regiment can be made ready for the march, you will proceed up the Rosebud in pursuit of the Indians whose trail was discovered by Major Reno a few days since. It is, impossible to give you any definite instructions in regard to this movement, and were it not impossible to do so the Department Commander places too much confidence in your zeal, energy, and ability to wish to impose upon you precise orders which might hamper your action when nearly in contact with the enemy. He will, however, indicate to you his own views of what your action should be, and he desires that you should conform to them unless you shall see sufficient reason for departing from them. He thinks that you should proceed up the Rosebud until you ascertain definitely the direction in which the trail above spoken of leads. Should it be found (as it appears almost certain that it will be found) to turn towards the Little Bighorn, he thinks that you should still proceed southward, perhaps as far as the headwaters of the Tongue, and then turn toward the Little Horn, feeling constantly, however, to your left, so as to preclude the escape of the Indians passing around your left flank. The column of Colonel Gibbon is now in motion for the mouth of the Big Horn. As soon as it reaches that point will cross the Yellowstone and move up at least as far as the forks of the Big and Little Horns. Of course its future movements must be controlled by circumstances as they arise, but it is hoped that the Indians, if upon the Little Horn, may be so nearly inclosed by the two columns that their escape will be impossible. The Department Commander desires that on your way up the Rosebud you should thoroughly examine the upper part of Tullock's Creek, and that you should endeavor to send a scout through to Colonel Gibbon's command. The supply-steamer will be pushed up the Big Horn as far as the forks of the river is found to be navigable for that distance, and the Department Commander, who will accompany the column of Colonel Gibbon, desires you to report to him there not later than the expiration of the time for which your troops are rationed, unless in the mean time you receive further orders. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, E. W. Smith, Captain, 18th Infantry A. A. J. G." ... The Seventh cavalry had been outfitted with fifteen days worth of provisions when they departed from Terry/Gibbon, which is the only timeline I see here as Terry tells Custer to return to the steamer before their rations run out if no further orders are received (and I assume if no junction has been thus far made). What I do read here is Terry not wanting to "hamper" Custer's actions if Custer is "nearly in contact with the enemy"-- which Custer thought he was, and it emphasizes the overall Army fear that the tribes would scatter before a pitched battle occured. And I also read Terry again emphasizing he is giving Custer leeway to act as he sees fit "he (Terry) desires that you (Custer) should conform to them (these orders) unless you (Custer) shall see sufficient reason for departing from them." Thanks for commenting!

[@angloaust1575]

Even so custer did foul up regardless of the letter Reno and benteen survived Using better judgement!

[@SiobhanFallon7]

@@angloaust1575 how did he foul up?

[@titanscerw]

And Benteen is pathological liar.

[@willbraxton1843]

Great info but being of Native American decent I can assure you Custer fought no one from India calling native Americans Indians still because Columbus thought he was in India is something that to this day needs to be corrected

[@SiobhanFallon7]

What do you suggest? When I am visiting friends at the Crow agency they refer to themselves as Indians. And read any older texts of the frontier and the Indians refer to themselves, in English, as Indians as well. Right or wrong, the dominant culture often names a race or people's and that's the way they go through history. For example, my father is from Ireland. He is Irish. A lot of my identity is Irish. "Irish" is an English word, traced from Old English, from Old Norse. We don't always get to name ourselves. Does that need to be corrected? We make it our own history and embrace it.

[@danabradley4569]

P r o m o S M

[@patrickkennedy8706]

Reno is the only officer that did his job that day. And then got court martialed for it. And there was no proof of any liquor being anywhere near the battlefield.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

He got court martialed for doing his job? No. He got court martialed, twice, for conduct unbecoming in regards to behavior toward the wife of a fellow officer and the daughter of his commander. Fighting repeatedly with junior officers also didn't help 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@scaredy-cat]

General Terry sent Custer ahead of the main body, this was unnecessary and contributed to the regiment being so badly outnumbered and out gunned

[@Eadbhard]

Good point. One does wonder why Terry sent Custer ahead. After the battle, General Terry openly criticized Custer for being "overly brash". Yet, for all of that, both Terry and Gibbon absolutely expected the Seventh Cavalry to act as the campaign's initial strike force. Be that as it may, before Custer led his regiment up the Rosebud and into history, what then prompted Gibbon to say to him: "Don't be greedy, Custer, leave some for the rest of us."? Moreover, if General Terry wanted Custer to just locate the village first, and not attack it, why then was Custer offered two battalions from Major Brisbin's Second Cavalry along with the Gatling guns? As well, according to some sources, one of the last things Terry said to Custer before the Seventh set out for the Little Bighorn was: "Whatever you do, Custer, hold on to your wounded". Why would the General mention this to Custer if he didn't expect Custer to engage the Indians first? Additionally, nowhere in Terry's orders to Custer does he ask his subordinate to wait for him. More than likely, once Custer discovered the village, General Terry figured Custer would attack it and have a decisive victory. Terry had confidence in Custer, and he put a lot of stock in his subordinate's Indian-fighting ability (Terry had never fought Indians as foes before). What is more, Terry probably felt Custer was still smarting over being passed-up for the reconnaissance scout two weeks prior. General Terry gave that mission to Major Reno. So, in a sense, Terry was making amends to Custer by giving him the opportunity to strike the village first. Terry also might have felt sorry for Custer. After being recently subpoenaed and going through the whole political turmoil of the Grant/Belknap affair, Custer was probably still feeling shamed and discomfited; he needed a victory on the Plains to set things right again, and General Terry was giving his young subaltern a chance to do just that. To everyone's shock and dismay, the Seventh Cavalry suffered a horrific defeat and Custer was killed. Although General Terry strived to appease Custer by giving him a chance to have a singular victory over the Sioux at the Little Bighorn, he covered his own ass by condemning his fiery subordinate, blaming him for not waiting for the rest of the command to show up.

[@SiobhanFallon7]

BRILLIANT. Great stuff! Thanks for taking the time to share your insights!!

[@lofatmat]

Did he sleep with Mrs Bell?

[@SiobhanFallon7]

I don't think so. You mean Reno? I think she spurned him fast. He didn't really have time to sleep with her before they became enemies!

[@lofatmat]

@@SiobhanFallon7 Thank goodness I am not like Reno so when do we meet Siobhan? 😉 Joking aside I like listening to your stories 👍🙏😉