The Custer-Benteen Feud: Custer's Last Stand

[@clintgrimsley]

If benteen and reno got there they would've been wiped out too

[@tettysariati1607]

Hi greetings from Jakarta Indonesia, You are right, I am not sure, but they were badly out numbered and out gunned, they were also facing really rough terrain, coulees, ravines etc. And most likely they didn't see what lay ahead of them. Although they decide to go out to help George Custer and his five companies they don't have much time to cover the distance with four hundred troops on horse back from where Reno and Benteen were positioned. Let's say they make it there, Custer and the rest of his men would have been in very bad shape when they arrive at the scene, and of course, it will also put Benteen and Reno in very difficult situation to hold their ground in an open wide position. Thank you

[@AtomicExtremophile]

Benteen's actions saved the 7th! Firstly, Reno lost a third or so of his men, no way could his battalion have survived Indian attacks. Benteen arrived in time to stop Reno's command from disintegration. If Benteen had ridden to Custer his battalion would have been slaughtered like Custer's. Custer had five companies in a defensive position, and was beaten. Benteen had three companies and would have had to ride through all those indians, Benteen had no chance of getting to Custer. It's clear that Custer was wanting to use the cowardly tactic of human shields, as he did at Washita. He made the same mistake there, whereby he underestimated how big the Indian camp was.

[@whatsup3270]

odds are they would have never gotten there. Packs are kept back for good reasons, they are vulnerable in battle. As that pack approached the battle the Indians would have swarmed the "goods" caring more about that than Custer.

[@kaib4605]

Guess we will never know One things for sure would have been a far different fight if Custer held the 7th as a single force attack all at the same time from the North Indians were not even awake as a force yet

[@31terikennedy]

Nope it was supposed to be a four prong attack that went in simultaneously. Reno disobeyed his orders by prematurely beginning the attack.

[@troidva]

In some ways, the beginning of the Battle of Little Bighorn must have given Benteen a case of deja vu. At the October 1864 Battle of Mine Creek, Colonel Benteen led his detachment of U.S. volunteer cavalry to the crest of the ridge overlooking the banks of a Kansan stream bed swarming with a vastly larger enemy force. Although the Colonel had proven he was the kind of seasoned and daring officer necessary to lead cavalry effectively, he hesitated about what to do next. He had been promoted to brigade command only a few days earlier, and his absent commanding officer had given him vague orders to immediately attack any enemy he encountered in support of a second, larger brigade of U.S. horsemen supposedly closing on this position, but Benteen did not know exactly when and from what direction their support would come. After hesitating, Benteen ordered his brigade of three regiments to charge a hostile force he estimated was close to ten times the size of his own 1,000-man command. Benteen’s old outfit this October day, the 10th Missouri Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry, formed up in the front rank in a wide battle line to lead the charge. Its troopers may have sensed their old regimental commander’s reluctance, for they slowed as they caught sight of the large force of Confederate cavalry forming up to meet them at the bottom of the shallow valley. There was no such hesitation on the part of Benteen's other two veteran regiments following behind, however. They impatiently barged their way through the faltering Missourian ranks and-against all accepted cavalry tactics-spurred their horses into a gallop in a compact column as their buglers urgently sounded the charge. Even the sheer size of the Confederate host awaiting them did not slow their headlong rush: fully 7,000 rebel horsemen, supported by 8 artillery pieces, drawn up in an 800-yard-long line three ranks deep. Benteen's men routed the rebel right wing; the tardy 1,500 men of the second brigade arrived in time to complete the rout of the Confederate left flank. In about an hour, the Union troopers inflicted over 1,000 casualties and captured 600 prisoners, 2 generals, and all the cannon. By contrast, the Federals suffered only 15 killed and 94 wounded. Virtually unaided, Benteen won the second-largest cavalry battle of the Civil War.

[@DamonNomad82]

Mine Creek is the only Civil War battlefield I have gotten to visit to date. One of the keys to the success of the US forces in the battle is that, despite being outnumbered at the point of contact, they were armed with Spencer Repeating Rifles, which gave them an overwhelming firepower advantage over the rebels.

[@31terikennedy]

You mean in spite of Benteen.

[@SeanRCope]

Col. Benteen saved the 7th. At least that’s what was said in the 4/7th Cavalry NCO club during my service.

[@brandonclark435]

He did.

[@Tellgryn]

It is Reno that saved what at the time was left of the 7th cavalry, had he not charged out of the woods to get back across the Little Big Horn, his command would have been wiped out like Custer. It is Reno that picked the place to defend, not Benteen. Reno had the wear with all to have his command draw their pistols and shoot their way back to the Little Big Horn and it is Reno that has the command turn back once he got to Weir point and go to where he met up with Benteen. Custer's command is not on good ground to defend, his ground favored the Indian tactics, not the cavalry.

[@Placard1203]

I love your videos. I read My life On The Plains, and saw the public and private side of GAC. He's a highly intelligent and driven individual. I would never had lent him one of my horses though 😉

[@EverettBaland]

Custer created his own mess and had to accept his medicine. Sadly when folks with bad personalities have rank they should not have, they take others along for the ride. Thankfully Benteen saved most of the command.

[@pierfrancescorubini2899]

Benteen the wise, who saved his men.

[@mauserwaffen982]

Thank you for these videos, I look forward to seeing them. As another poster mentioned, I really enjoy your work as well. Thank you again!

[@Havoscar]

Glad you like them!

[@anthonytroisi6682]

Before the Civil War promotion in the Army was slow. Career officers like Benteen probably resented officers who rose rapidly during wartime. They also probably resented the fact that Custer formed an "in crowd" made up of his relatives and hero worshippers. The conflict between Benteen and Custer undoubtedly undermined the 7th Cavalry's morale. It would have been wise for the Army to separate the two. Custer probably wanted to get rid of Benteen but he did not have the authority to do it on his own because he was not the commanding officer.

[@yankeepapa304]

For starters...thank you for mentioning that Benteen did not write to the newspaper, but to a friend who handed it over without clearing it with Benteen first. Too many writers overlook that. As to Custer not giving Benteen leave re dying child... Custer had often... post Civil War, taken very extended leave... once from February to September... once going on civilian job interviews with big shots in New York City. Having to leave my wife alone to deal with a dying child while I was not "in the field" but at a rear support area might well make me a "hater" too... Not that Benteen needed such a gut-punch to dislike somebody... | . Many writers act as if Benteen was in command of all troopers not with Custer... Major Reno was from the moment that Benteen arrived in Reno's A.O. ... at least in theory...the immediate commander... Benteen essentially had to take command... without actually taking command. But Reno is dismissed as essentially so useless that many writers almost act as if he was not present after his rout and go straight for Benteen. Benteen may have had petty reasons to dislike Custer and at least one massive reason...but he cared about the average trooper and had friends among some of the officers riding with Custer... Doubtful that he would have let them perish just to get rid of Custer. . Custer was brave and able. His volunteers in the Civil War mostly adored him... and he flourished in that environment. But, after the war he was sent down to Texas with different Volunteer regiments kept... against their will...after the war was over. They hated him. He had one of them shot...probably with justification... but had others flogged in violation of U.S. Army regulations (flogging outlawed in late summer of 1861...) The post war army that later replaced the war time army made up of far different material... Up to 25% a year would desert... so Custer didn't feel the same about them as he had his Michigan volunteers. . YP

[@whatsup3270]

What you tell of Custer came from Custer's pen, and that pen fabricated more than it recorded. By most reports when Reno was rebuffed on the initial attack Reno was never the same man or even a good officer, again. Benteen lead the defenses using standard military technics. Custer was never a good soldier, not once.

[@OscarMoreno-zx1ox]

Benteen was for real, Custer was afraid of him.

[@oscarantoniomoreno5247]

Custer was too full of himself and made poor decisions on the battlefield. Capt. Benteen was level headed, cool, didn't panic and saved the rest of the 7th cavalry.

[@williamkennedy5492]

I believe custer was a glory hunter and he certainly did just that getting wiped out !

[@jjdjj5392]

A good example of this is in the movie"Son of the Morning Star"

[@ArmenianBishop]

12 years prior to Little Bighorn, Custer fell into an ambush at Trevilian Station, VA (June, 1864). He raided wagons & supplies, but the Confederates rallied and attacked from 3 directions, nearly capturing Custer, as well as his entire command. Sheridan sent more cavalry in to the rescue, and Custer escaped with heavy losses.

[@31terikennedy]

Custer stayed because one of his subordinates went too far trying capture more of the Confederate supply train and got cut off. Sound famliar? Major Joel Eliot at the Washita.

[@cobraferrariwars]

Hindsight: Benteen arrives at Reno Hill at the same time he receives the order to support Custer. At that time the gunfire and dust of Custer's battle was seen and heard at Reno Hill. Reno, who outranked Benteen, next wastes 45 minutes to locate the body of his adjutant. Benteen acquiesces in this time waste. Reno is unnerved, shaken and cannot command. Benteen takes up the slack. Meanwhile, Custer and his men were fighting for their lives. Custer located one company where they could support the path of Benteen's reinforcements and those men probably saw the guidon placed on Weir Point when Weir finally advanced there, against orders, after having been denied permission to advance. Terry's orders stated that Custer would have to strike quick to prevent the Indians from disappearing. Four days prior, June 21, Lt. Keogh, part of Custer's command, took out a life insurance policy, made his Will and asked that the 2nd Cavalry reinforce Custer's command. Keogh had scouted the Indian trail and knew that their encampment could be gargantuan and communicated this to the other officers. Custer had a right to presume that his subordinates would follow his orders, but his attitude and conduct did not insure that loyalty. In that respect, Custer was an inadequate leader. Benteen's later writings confirmed that he detested Custer, Custer's relatives and Custer's adjutant. I suppose that if one is in the business of warfare (killing), one should make certain that his subordinates are absolutely loyal. I would rather not be in the business.

[@mikeske9777]

Actually I think that the Indian force had Benteen and Reno's forces contained and Weir charge was at least an attempt to break out and support Custer and it failed. The Indian force had them under siege and the only thing that help was the fact that Benteen was able to save the remainder of the 7th

[@whatsup3270]

Benteen was in the rears on pack duty, and thus not scheduled to fight. Reno retreated back to Benteen for help. Weir charged off but retreated back as Reno had. Benteen setup a defensive position on high ground and was in dire straits. The infantry was coming which is part of why Custer attacked early against orders. The Indians abandon the fight on day 2, to flee and stay ahead of the infantry, thus the Calvery survivors. Benteen and his men believed Custer was gone and safe and abandon them, which was clear when Benteen actually saw Custer's body late that next day. Benteen was in disbelief that Custer and his men had been killed, having never retreated. Even the Indians said Custer had hours to retreat but didn't.

[@Tellgryn]

@@whatsup3270 Benteen is not in charge of the pack train, he is in charge of three companies of the 7th Cavalry that day. Capt. Thomas Mower McDougall commanded the pack train June 25th, 1876.

[@madlenellul3430]

A very interesting post. The battle is certainly a combination of if’s!… But ‘if’ all the companies had managed to combine on Custer field and, ‘if’ / assuming, the ammunition packs accompanied them, then, it’s more likely the battle would have become a stalemate. The warriors skirmishing and falling back until the women, children and elderly were safe. With the Custer / Benteen feud it has always struck me as particularly one sided. Benteen the main source. Joel Elliot to me was a younger ‘clone?’ of Custer. His action at the Washita at best reckless. Why Benteen would use Joel continually as his excuse for disliking/hating Custer is puzzling . I can accept genuine jealousy , (Custer’s Civil War record), turned to anger and then hatred.. However Benteen by not obeying a ‘written’ order was derelict in his duties and, ‘if’ tried, would possibly have been found guilty at a courts martial. That’s the final ‘if’ in your scenario..👵🇦🇺🇺🇸

[@christianjacobsen8014]

Not surprising that Benteen would be permanently bitter about Elliott's death. Elliott was a friend and subordinate of Benteen's during the Civil War. He commanded the seventh Indiana in Benteen's brigade. Also, I disagree with your assertion that Benteen disobeyed Custer's Bring packs order.

[@anselwills6127]

It’s easy to blame someone else when the other person is dead and cannot defend himself

[@gottadomor7438]

You do have a point there.

[@Miguel195211]

So if the officers divided the Indian women among themselves, then this is rape.

[@brucebutler2746]

It should be noted of the Battle of the Washita, Custer achieved no offensive success through hostage taking. He escaped annihilation, and the natives also escaped. Escape of the natives at the Little Bighorn would hardly serve to discharge his orders. There is little reason to believe that hostage taking was on Custer's mind. at the Little Bighorn. It was widely remarked that Benteen was demonstrably irritated with his reconnaissance mission, due to his concern over the wear upon horses. He sent a lieutenant to finish the scout for him on that account. Benteen's perceived lethargy in route to Custer would be in conformity with his disposition to preserve his mounts. Attribution of the pace of his movement to personal antagonism with Custer is highly speculative. Benteen took no longer to reach the Little Bighorn than Custer, who, in support of Reno, watered his horses at the morass and at the north fork of Reno Creek. Custer's note (an inadequately composed "frag" order) is properly interpreted as requiring Benteen to join the regiment, not Custer personally. Having reached Reno, Benteen had discharged his orders from Custer, and was then subordinate to Reno's orders. Captain Weir, an admirer of Custer, disobeyed Reno's orders and proceeded to the sound of firing. He reached his observation point in time to witness the entire collapse of Captain Keogh and Custer's extended position. The presence of warriors was so massive, as to cause Weir to waiver in his commitment to attack; a disappointment which seems to have led Wier to drink himself to death within six months of the battle. Upon joining Weir, Benteen posted his flag on the point, and (according to Two Moons, and as re-related by Sitting Bull) Custer's band sent a bugle call in response -- well prior to the final demise of Custer's element. One wonders which bugle call was sounded? By the time of the Court of inquiry, the officers of the 7th Cavalry mended their differences sufficiently to support each other's stories, and thereby salvage their joint reputations. The only mention of bugle sounds by the 7th was in the context of native celebrations.

[@whatsup3270]

Custer was positioned to split the gap between the noncombatants fleeing and the flank of the warriors giving Custer an either or option. Since Reno didn't row or penetrate the village there was neither a flank or flee that occurred. Custer eventually and foolishly charged most say he wasn't able to forge the river, and few agree on why (position of the forge or resistance from Indians). Even then Custer could have rode out but didn't. There is no doubt in my mind that Custer's plan was built on no Indians fighting back, thus when the Indians did engage, the Calvery had no chance.

[@Tellgryn]

Gall said when Weir reached Weir point the battle was over, this is proven by what happens on the field. Weir command is near Weir Point the other company that followed him and moved froward towards Midence Taril Coulee and was about to enter it, when Weir signaled to turn back. Weir had place what was left of the 7th cavalry in a very bad spot, he saw his mistake when the 900+ Indians were riding towards Weir point and about to overrun the other company. This proves the battle of last stand hill is over and that is before Reno and Benteen get to Weir point. The other company is followed the shoe prints of Custer's command. This shows part of Custer's command took MTC.

[@Tellgryn]

Weir is part of the Michigan cavalry under Custer in the Civil War. Thomas served in the 5th Michigan Cavalry enlisted as a pvt and was promoted to brevet Col in 1868. Weir loved Custer and would follow him anywhere. This is the one troop I wonder why did not take with him as they are very close (I do know about the rumors).

[@degrelleholt6314]

Well. Reno ranked Benteen, right? Reno told Benteen to stay with him. Don't really see what the "Benteen" controversy could be. Does everyone think army officers should all be cops who don't play by the rules?

[@MrMAC8964]

i thought custer had been relieved of command bye pres ident Grant but was allowed to accompany. why was he then in charge?

[@whatsup3270]

That was more than a year earlier. Custer had been reinstalled as the commander no doubt to the dismay of the competent officers.

[@Tellgryn]

@@whatsup3270 No months and does not get reinstated until May 8th, 1876, Reno was in charge until Custer came back and Custer changed the command structure when he got back to 3 battalions and not 2 as Reno had the command structure.

[@barbaraanneneale3674]

I'm sorry, but that's not how it happened.

[@jjdjj5392]

So where did custer live with his native woman concubine? Did his wife find out?

[@GeorgieCole-lk9ps]

Custer talks in length about how pretty his girlfriend was from washita

[@mickymantle3233]

Whatever he was doing...it was abhorrent. I'm so glad he got his Ass kicked.

[@grassroot011]

Also he was a , in modern parlance, a Narcissist.

[@31terikennedy]

It was common knowledge that Indians would concentrate in large numbers when they left the reservation to raid. Custer was never in danger of being annihilated. He lost 19 men because an officer disobeyed orders not to chase fleeing Indians. Custer spent the whole day at the Washita destroying and capturing Indian horses to neutralize Indian mobility and destroying and capturing what the Indians left behind. When the Indians were seen to be massing on the surrounding hills, Custer marched toward them an scattered the Indians. He then countered marched and fell back on his support returning the captives to the reservations as further incentive for the others to return. Everything you said is nonsense.