Reno had been ordered to charge the village. He disobeyed that order when he halted, dismounted and set up a skirmish line in a field south of the village [depriving himself of 20% of his firepower - horse holders]. He was driven [for want of a better word] from there to the woods along the river. When Bloody Knife had his head blown off next to, and brains splattered on, Reno, Reno lost it and “led” a route across the river and up to what is now Reno’s Hill. Most of the men in his unit were killed during that retreat, or by being left behind in the woods.
Benteen had been sent to the west, and it was to him Custer sent Giovanni Martini with the famous “Come Quick..’ note. To say Benteen moved with anything but alacrity would be an understatement. Autie reed, a civilian, and Custer’s nephew was with Benteen. He left Benteen when the latter got the written message. Autie Reed died with his uncles. Benteen stopped on the way to water his horses, and never pushed his column. When he got to Reno’s position [Custer was no more than a mile or so away at the time], Benteen stopped, and disobeying his orders, reinforced Reno. Both reused to budge from Reno Hill at the request of Lt. Weir, and even when they heard heavy firing to the north.
DAMN IT, YOU KNOW ALL THE BATTLE, THAT’S TRULY AMAZING !!
CONGRATULATIONS !
I know well the story and I am pleased that you know it well too.
Yes, Custer was betrayed!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKeTsG2JpQA
‘Nother typo: “reused” [in last sentence] should be “refused” [spell check does have its limits].