[drzz]

Nope. This is the "we may never know" sermon which is used by people who don't want to dig in anymore. There are testimonies of witness, military analysis and Reno's and Benteen's own testimonies and exhibits which show that there were perjuries, lies, false exhibits. The question is WHY? These men were alive, and well, and if they knew that they could easily defend themselves, why did they hide the truth ? Why did they lie ? 210 men were alone on a hill, surrounded by the enemy. They asked for support which never came. Custer included 400 men in his battle plan, but no one of these 400 men support him in the battle. Custer's honor and the honor of every one of his 210 men is at stake. Are you ready to bury their honor ? They fought for their flag. Are you ready to forget what they did? Are you ready to insult Custer because it's what people said at a time ? General Custer deserves justice, as a man, as a soldier, as an American citizen who answered the call of duty.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Custer was a pompous jackass with an overblown estimation of his own abilities.

He was no hero, he dragged his men into a fight he should have never gotten himself involved in.

His orders were to find the indians and maintain contact with them.

When he thought he had been discovered, he convinced himself the indians were going to run. (thus the reason for sending Benteen on that circuitous circle jerk that kept him and the packtrain out of the battle for most of the day).

He then compounds his problem by sending Reno with his command down into the valley to attack the south end of the village.

Reno quickly realizes he’s in over his head, due to inaction, incompetance and fear, he then gives several contradictory orders. Finally orders a full retreat across the river to the heights on what is now called Reno Hill.

Custer proceeds up the ridgeline to Medicine Tail coulee where he THINKS the North end of the Village is. (It’s actually the halfway point). After realizing his mistake he has to fight a pursuing force that finally pins him down on Custer hill. His command by this time has become disjointed and scattered.

Reno is soon joined by Benteen and after some discussion they decide NOT to go to Custer’s aid. Who can say whether they were right or wrong. Had they left the defensive location they were in it’s more than reasonable to expect that they too would have been wiped out. The ground between Custer Hill and Reno hill is perfect for ambush and light cavalry attacks. They would have been hammered from all sides the entire trip.

One unit did try to go to Custer’s aid. But when they reached saddle hill they didn’t see a battle, they saw people moving among bodies scattered on the slope (most likely the village women and children looting the corpses). This was 2 hours into the battle. After retreating back to Reno hill they reported what they saw to Reno and Benteen.

The fact still remains.

You were not there, I was not there

Neither of us know and to say otherwise is mere fantasy. All we have to go on are the reports of the Men both Indian and White that WERE there.

[Rodney King]

Custer's honor and the honor of every one of his 210 men is at stake. Are you ready to bury their honor ? They fought for their flag. Are you ready to forget what they did? Are you ready to insult Custer because it's what people said at a time

I do agree with you totally about Custer. But, don't forget, they are dead. It's not like they are on trial or anything and in desperate need of our support.