Custer

[civilwarbuglertn]

You have heard of all of George Custer's exploits during the Civil War, was he brave, just plain crazy, or a little of both?

[Bugeler]

I am new at this site. I am a Bugeler. Actually a Trumpet player. I use to blow my bugel at Civil War Ceromonies back in 1990. Is there a need for extra work or any movie parts. I was a member of the 12th Virginia Calvery Jeb Stewarts boys? Thanks Joe

[hoosier]

Bugeler, this might not be the best place to have your post seen by those who might have a useful response for you.

I'd suggest scrolling down to the bottom of the Dispatch Depot page and clicking on the link to the New Recruits Meet and Greet Area. Those who are new to the website usually go there to make their presence known, and those of us who have been around a while check that area periodically to see who's come on board.

Getting back to the theme on which this thread was started -

Civilwarbuglertn, I'd be inclined to say Custer was a little of both. Brave, unquestionably, but also impetuous to the point where he could, on occasion, be described as a "mad, impetuous fool," with considerable justification.

On at least one occasion during the Civil War, Custer got himself into a predicament similar to the one he faced years later. Had not another Federal unit come to his rescue at Trevilian Station, that, rather than the Little Bighorn, might have been Custer's Last Stand.

[nbforrest]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Custer isolated because he was following Sheridan's orders? It seems to me that he was sort of thrown into the fire but was able to execute an excellent defense and safely extricate his men aided by the Union attack on the Confederate left.

Respectfully

[cpl_lewis]

if you want to know info on custer just step on over to http://www.blanketbrigade.com/.... the man who runs that site/sutlery , Dale Harrison, has been portraying custer for years. He is a great man and will probably answer any questions you may have. Tell him Courtney a.k.a. cpl Lewis sent ya. hope it helps

[william42]

Cpl Lewis, welcome to the board. I like your avatar. Where is that beautiful scenery from? I wish I could enlarge it to get a better look.

Terry

[whitworth]

It is always difficult for some to distinguish the heroism of Custer and his bravery in battle in the Civil War, separate that, and look at the failures in judgment Custer made prior to his destruction at Little Big Horn.

In the Indian campaign, Custer pushed his small band of troopers into attack, totally disregarding that the infantry was soon approaching. Custer ignored the overall plan.
Compounding that error, he failed to heed any intelligence his scouts gave him on the size of the Indians in the area.

Custer divided his troops in the face of an "unknown" number of Indian warriors, throughly underestimated by Custer's judgment.

Custer knew the tribes were very good at ambushing small parties of cavalry. Custer knew that the tribes were not armed with only bows and arrows and muzzleloading rifles.

By his actions in moving Benteen, Reno and his force towards the supposed location of the Indian villages, he was not prepared to wait for reinforcements. All the glory of victory would be his alone.

There is an old military principle that I frequently told myself. Know how you are going in; know how you are getting out. Sometimes the latter is more important than the first. Clearly Custer had no plan for getting out.

[ole]

Custer's useful qualities during the WBTS got him killed. He should never have been allowed out of contact with his commanding general. As I said earlier, loose cannon. Keep him close and give him tough tasks, but never, ever, let him out of your sight.
Ole

[larry_cockerham]

I saw a most interesting presentation on our local public tv station this weekend from John Siegenthaller's War on Words, in which the author of a new book Lost Triumph or something close to that, claims that Custer's charge at Gettysburg southeast of Culp's Hill was the reason for JEB Stuart not being able to complete his appointed mission, namely to close the pincher move opposite the ill-fated Pickett's charge. This was / is an obvious attempt to give Lee credit for some planning beyond the executed records of the battle. Has anyone read this book?

[ole]

JEB must have had some reason for being over there. Crediting Lee with the planning doesn't strike me as illogical. No. I haven't read the book.
Ole