Two points fairly recently several archeologist found a line of spent shells along the military crest of the ridge. of course there were only a few hundred of the shells which holds with the volleys.
Regrading the abilities of the Sioux/Cheyenne: Nonsense.
By 1880 several dozen memberss of the Sioux nation, not to mention Cheyenne, had served with the south (and Union to a lesser extent) during the war. Don't you think they brought anything home? They are hardly Muslims. Secondly the Southern Cheyenne had a larger number of the Dog Society however the Northern by that time had absorbed a number of southern Cheyenne. I submit personnel evidence. My great grandfather as well as a great uncle were Dog Soldiers and one of them fought Custer. That same great uncle fought at Peabody Ridge and Vicksburg and appears on Confederate unit rolls. And he was not alone.
Further there is this - my experience. 38 years (off and on) as a Marine will tell you that the only way irregular troops (and Injuns were irregular) could win this fight was through surprise and firepower. There are 5 separate narative accounts of volley fire that I am aware of. Further it fits. Breaking the spam pf control and cohesion of the unit is the only way the Sioux/Cheyenne could have won that day.
Besides do you really expect me to doubt the word of my grandfather....
Thank you for your posts.
Question : Crook lost a battle earlier apparently forcing him to stop. Was Crook in violation of orders from Miles to proceed north to support the three point attack ?
Were Crook’s losses ( real and imagined ) so bad that he could not proceed north ? Crook went fishing instead ?