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Post by keogh on Jan 28, 2018 14:52:53 GMT -5
Sending my registration fee this weekend! Looking forward to meeting everyone in August! Jean S Barto, new LBHA member. Welcome to the LBHA Message Board Jean. Its great to have you onboard with us. garryowen, Bill
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Post by keogh on May 10, 2017 21:58:31 GMT -5
It is with a very sad heart that I announce the passing of our dearest friend and mother -- the Grand Dame of the Little Big Horn Associates -- Joan Croy. Joan passed away today after suffering a heart attack shortly after leaving the hospital. She had just driven home and was stricken as she was leaving her car. This wonderful lady was like a mother to many of us in the LBHA. Her passing leaves a hole in our hearts that will not be filled anytime soon. It was Joan who requested that I moderate the Little Big Horn Associates Message board when it was first created in 2007 and it has been my honor to do so. I will post up funeral arrangements as soon as I can.
garryowen in sadness,
Bill Rini
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Post by keogh on Jul 17, 2016 0:46:07 GMT -5
I just received Vol. 30 (2016) of the Research Review today. On the cover of the issue is the superb painting of artist Jerry Thomas' Toward the Valley depicting Custer's HQ's group on June 25th, with the General flanked by his brother Col. Tom Custer and Adjutant Col. W. W. Cooke. Kudo's to Jerry on a job well done.
Inside the issue are 3 impressive articles by:
David Harrington entitled, "...The Only Man That Never Failed Me": The Birth of the Custer-Sheridan Relationship & the Richmond Raid of 1864.
It is a well-known fact that general's Phillip Sheridan and George Custer shared a close-knit bond. This relationship was forged during the final year of the Civil War. Author David Harrington takes us through an in-depth look at the beginning of this bond during Sheridan's 1864 cavalry raid on the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia.
Lorne Langley entitled, "A Brevet of a Coffin For Doing All You Can": The Intertwined Fates of Major Joel Elliott & Clara and Willie Blinn
At the Battle of the Washita in November of 1868 Major Joel Elliot, after uttering his famous "Brevet or a coffin" statement, rode off with a small number of troopers in pursuit of fleeing Cheyenne. There has been much speculation as to the specific reason for his actions. After lengthy study, author Lorne Langley looks at some of the speculation and furnishes the answer that he believes the primary source evidence provides to this long-standing mystery.
Michael Donahue entitled, "Crow Revisionism & Custer's Last Battle"
Do modern-day Crow Indians tell a different story of the Little Bighorn battle than the Crow scouts who accompanied the Seventh Cavalry? Author Michael Donahue presents evidence and a compelling story of how some ideas among the Crow have definitely changed through the passing years.
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Post by keogh on Jun 20, 2014 17:29:57 GMT -5
How did things go at Winchester at the conference? bc Had a wonderful time there. We had some great speakers talking about Custer in the Shenandoah Valley, especially the guest of honor, none other than Ulysses S. Grant who told us all how much he really admired the aggressive and inspired leadership of General Custer (despite what we might have otherwise read in books and papers). When I asked Grant for his favorite brand of whiskey, he simple replied, "Yes." He also assured us that he did not approve of the actions of his brother Orville and that Orville did not speak for him. In fact, he said Orville was cut off from all contact with the family for several years after the scandal he caused. The Conference was a great success. I enjoyed meeting the old-timers like Don Horn (Board Member emeritus), Joan Croy, Mary Jo Romero, Bill Blake, Dale Kosman, Kevin Connelly, Dick & Jeannie Micka, Lee Chambers, Lorne Langley, Brian Delvecchio, Sandy Barnard, Dale Harrison, Terry Jones, Jerry Thomas, Tina Walker, John Hart, Vince Heier, Spencer Waldron, Kevin Galvin, Randy Johnson, Jeff Broome, Melani Van Petten, Terri Zapata, Ray Hillyer, Phyllis Hummel and so many others. On the other hand, we missed seeing yourself, Fred Wagner, Bill Serritella, & Colleen who were all unable to attend this year. Next year looks to be an interesting and exciting conference centered on the Battles of Five Forks, Saylor's Creek and Appomatox. Our conference headquarters will be at the Holiday Inn in Lynchburg, Va. garryowen, keogh
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Post by keogh on Jun 9, 2014 0:31:31 GMT -5
I think it's equally possible Boston misled Custer by saying something like "Reno's giving them hell", in the same way Kanipe's statements were misleading to Benteen's men and the pack train. Boston wasn't a soldier. He may not have have understood what he saw, or may have told his brother what he thought his brother wanted to hear. There are many possibilities. Such faulty reporting could explain why Custer moved his command several miles farther downriver instead of returning the way he came. I think Fred's argument on Boston's movements better supports the conclusion that Custer was misled by Boston's information. Fred says Custer would have assumed Reno would conduct a proper retreat back the way he had come. He also says if Custer had run into trouble at Ford B he would have retreated the way he had come. But if Custer thought Reno was retreating, then why did he move miles downriver? Surely news that a subordinate commander is in full retreat would have been as good a reason for retreating as running into trouble at Ford B. Thoughts? Michael Michael, we can only speculate on what Boston saw and reported to his brother that day. My own timeline developed and posted here at the forum indicates that Boston arrived in Medicine Tail Coulee well before Reno retreated from the valley, so I don't happen to believe he told his brother anything at all about the Reno fight other than it was progressing well. Here is my own timeline for Boston Custer's ride based on all the primary accounts available: thelbha.proboards.com/thread/2254/boston-custers-rideI do happen to agree with Fred that Custer learned of Reno's retreat from the valley, but I believe it came from Mitch Boyer stationed on upper Boyer's Bluff at the time. To me, the greatest indication that Custer knew of Reno's retreat was the fact that he never bothered to cross the river at Ford B when he had 5 companies of Cavalry in the near vicinity and was only opposed by a dozen or so camp guards. Had Reno remained at the Garryowen Loop, I have no doubt Custer would have attempted to cross the river at Ford B and attack the warriors from behind. You ask why Custer chose to move further north if he realized Reno had retreated from the valley? We can only speculate, but I would point out that the evidence, as I interpret it at least, strongly suggests that Custer remained in the vicinity of Ford B and Nye-Cartright (Blummer) Ridge and Luce Ridge for sometime between 30 to 40 minutes before moving off to the north. I believe Custer was waiting for elements of his Regiment to join him at Luce Ridge before he elected to finally move further to the north. Doing so, of course, was the fatal decision that sealed his fate, as it cut him off from his supporting units, especially as those supporting units made little or no effort to join him for the next 2 1/2 hours. There are a number of reasons why Custer may have chosen to move further to the north at this time. But rather than discuss and debate all of them, it might be more fruitful to suggest that if Custer thought Reno was still fighting at the Garryowen Loop, he would have surely attempted a crossing at Ford B. Indian accounts (other than the fanciful White Cow Bull) tell us that never happened. garryowen, keogh
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Post by keogh on Jun 6, 2014 20:43:21 GMT -5
I hope to see many of you at this year's LBHA Conference which will be held at Winchester, VA at the Hampton Inn North from June 11 - 13.
garryowen,
keogh
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Post by keogh on Jun 6, 2014 20:40:45 GMT -5
Congratulations to out to Fred Wagner for an excellent and interesting article on Boston Custer's ride from the pack train to Custer's command in the recent edition of the LBHA Newsletter. Fred arrives at the conclusion that Boston passed over the bluffs in time to see Reno's retreat from the valley and thus informed the General of this very important development. The notion that Custer was aware of Reno's retreat from the valley is a controversial issue. The Crow scouts gave conflicting accounts. Fred clearly believes that Custer was informed of Reno's situation. I am in agreement with him on that.
garryowen,
keogh
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Post by keogh on Sept 28, 2013 20:53:36 GMT -5
We had a wonderful Roundtable Meeting in West Orange, NJ, this afternoon. In attendance were Don Horn, rch (Ray), benteen (Dan), Fred and myself. We discussed many aspects of the LBH battle including timelines, Luce Ridge, Wallace's times and itinerary, Reno's testimony, Sharpshooter Ridge, 3411, the Pitsch place, Martin's testimony, etc. over a fine lunch. The Summit Meeting was a grand success and a policy of detente was agreed upon by all parties.
garryowen,
keogh
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Post by keogh on Sept 14, 2013 10:24:41 GMT -5
I very much enjoyed the visits with the Steves (Benteen) family. From the view of the Crows Nest on the divide, to the visits in the convention.
The picture of Myron and myself (black and white) you will find his grand-daughter standing beside him. She is now Mrs. Pac. (I think that is correct spelling). In the picture she is wearing my 74 jacket. I then told her to reach into the inside pocket and she pulled out my copy of the W.W. Cooke, Benteen come quick message...PS bring PAC. That is what she is holding when the picture was taken. The great-great-grand daughter of Capt. Benteen is now a Pac.
It was an enjoyable conference.
Gerry I see you have met the very lovely and vivacious Ms. Pac. She was at the Gettysburg Conference last year and was quite the center of attention among many of the young gentlemen at the Conference. I remember her well. garryowen, keogh
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Post by keogh on Sept 13, 2013 18:19:20 GMT -5
Got my September 2013 LBHA newsletter today. They have a pic of me on the cover in a yellow shirt. Inside of the back cover page is a pic of Gerry standing by Myron Steves and others. One of them is over a hundred years old, U pik which 1.
bc Myron Steves is quite an interesting character. He is the widower of Captain Benteen's grand-daughter. His son, Buddy Steves is the official LBHA photographer. garryowen, keogh
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Post by keogh on Aug 17, 2013 13:45:29 GMT -5
Good. I'm glad. Maybe we can do our best to forget about the ugly past, despite differences of opinion.
Best wishes, Fred. Its already done Fred. I look forward to seeing you again so we can discuss some new developments I've come across about our favorite battle. This one in particular centers on Luce Ridge. It may be important. garryowen, Bill
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Post by keogh on Aug 17, 2013 13:08:44 GMT -5
For anyone interested, we are trying to put together another of our famous/infamous New York-New Jersey Round Tables.
The tentative date is Saturday, September 28, 2013, and I am trying to arrange it at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, New Jersey, right near the former Pal's Cabin.
So far the following have expressed interest in attending: 1. bandboxtroop 2. rch 3. benteen 4. fred 5. keogh... I believe 6. Don Horn
Everyone interested is invited to attend and the more the merrier. The only thing we would ask is that all past arguments, animosities, antipathies, dislikes, fights, battles, and one-eyed stares be ditched in the nearest dumpster before entering.
Best wishes, Fred. Its good to see you again on the forum Fred. Yes, you can put me down as attending the Roundtable. I will get an email out to the rest of our past attendees to let them know. If I hear back from any of them, I'll post it up here. garryowen, keogh
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Post by keogh on Mar 12, 2013 17:11:58 GMT -5
I look forward to Fred's article. I agree with the significance of "3411," although I don't attach it to DeRudio's sighting. While DeRudio indicates this as the spot, generally, in his RCOI testimony, it would put Custer south of Weir Hill on the bluff 5 minutes before Reno bolted from the timber. I wonder how Fred reconciles this?
Enjoy...
Clair I asked Fred about this at one of our Roundtable Meetings, and he had a very simple and effective answer to the very valid points you bring out regarding the obvious flaws in DeRudio's alleged sighting of Custer on the bluffs. Fred simply rejects the time of the sighting that DeRudio testified to. He accepts DeRudio's supposed sighting of Custer on 3411, but simply rejects DeRudio's time reference for when he made the sighting. Now how's that for an effective method of making a square peg fit a round hole? I don't have the latest newsletter yet, but I congratulate Fred on his latest article. Although he and I do not always see eye to eye on how things played out, his articles are always an enjoyable and informative read. garryowen, keogh
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Post by keogh on Sept 10, 2012 11:14:26 GMT -5
Former LBHA Treasurer Kevin Connelly and his lovely wife. Kevin portrays Sgt. Jeremiah Finley.
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Post by keogh on Sept 9, 2012 14:10:08 GMT -5
West Pointer Colonel Joe Shea and his lovely wife and LBHA Board member Colleen Shea at the Grand Banquet. Colleen portrays Libby Custer as if she really were. Attachments:
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