Did Custer shoot his own horse?

Horses

Was Custer’s horse the only survivor of the Civil War?

“The only equine member of the federal cavalry forces in Custer’s immediate command who was known to have left the battlefield in the hands of the military and whose life can be generally chronicled from that time until his death.” In other words, the sole survivor.

Why did Custer not believe his orders were taken literally?

The rampant desertions in the midst of hostile territory, despite his previous measures of arresting deserters and placing sentries at night, left Custer concerned that his officers and loyal enlisted men would be vulnerable to attack. He claimed he did not believe his orders would be taken literally; they were mainly made for effect.

Did Custer’s horse Comanche survive the Battle of Little Big Horn?

Our biography of the noble horse Comanche has stated for several years that he was the only U.S. Army survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn — more popularly known as “Custer’s Last Stand.” But now, having researched the point after a query from friends, we must report that it’s not so.

What kind of horse did Custer ride?

Custer had two horses with him on the campaign: Vic (Victory) and Dandy. In battle, he rode Vic (right), who had a white blaze on his face and three white stockings. Historian Michael Donahue believes the Indians took Vic with them to Canada.

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What happened to Custer’s body?

Custer’s body was found amid a knot of slain men and horses just below the western summit of a small hill. Lt. Edward Godfrey and another soldier counted 42 bodies strewn across the slope. “We found no powder burns,” Godfrey reported about Custer’s body, implying he didn’t commit suicide.

Did Custer kill Vic the horse?

This post posits a fascinating theory: that Vic was killed at the LBH, most probably shot by Custer and his men–with dozens of other Cavalry horses—under orders to create a bulwark for soldiers in a last-ditch effort to defend themselves. The theory continues.

What are the names of Custer’s horses?

The first of them, named Comanche, was reportedly the sole survivor of the battle of Little Bighorn, also called Custer’s Last Stand. The other two horses, Black Jack and Sergeant Reckless, deserve a story of their own, but for now, we are going to focus on the steed that started this tradition of respect for the noble animal companions in battle.

Did Custer survive the last stand?

There was, however, one survivor, from the carnage of the “Last Stand”. Comanche, the horse of Captain Myles Keough, who was killed along with Custer, survived the battle with no less than seven bullet wounds.

Was Comanche the only horse to survive Custer’s last stand?

A fine book was written about Comanche in 1989: His Very Silence Speaks: Comanche, The Horse Who Survived Custer’s Last Stand. The author, Elizabeth Lawrence, has a whole chapter on the “sole survivor” topic and concludes that Comanche wasn’t the literal only survivor.

Did the Comanche survive Custer’s Last Stand?

We can dispense with those who point out that Comanche couldn’t be the sole survivor of Custer’s Last Stand because thousands of Native Americans survived the battle. (Duh: they won. And they weren’t in the U.S. Army.)

What happened to Custer at Little Bighorn?

Indians defeat Custer at Little Big Horn. Determined to resist the efforts of the U.S. Army to force them onto reservations, Indians under the leadership of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse wipe out Lieutenant Colonel George Custer and much of his 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Moreover, what really happened at Little Bighorn?

What was Custer’s order to General Reno?

Custer curtly replied, “You have your orders.” Custer then ordered Reno to take three companies of 140 troopers and 35 scouts and launch an attack from the south end of the village. The slow pack train, under Captain Thomas McDougall, was given another 175 men. Custer retained five companies with 210 mounted soldiers and civilians.

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Why did Custer not cross the river?

Custer never crossed the river. Instead, he led his men north on the near or east side along high bluffs above the valley, apparently hoping to block any Indians from getting away in that direction.

Did Custer’s Seventh Cavalry survive the last stand?

Yes, yes, they were part of Custer’s Seventh Cavalry and they survived. But we’re talking about the last stand, here: the actual hillside battle on June 25, 1876 where Gen. George Custer and his force of about 210 men were entirely wiped out. With those stipulations, let’s look at the details.

Why is it called a Comanche horse?

He named the horse “Comanche” to honor his bravery. Comanche was wounded many more times but always exhibited the same toughness. On June 25, 1876, Captain Keogh rode Comanche at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. The battle was notable as their entire detachment was killed.

What was Custer’s response to the Little Big Horn?

Custer’s only answer was: ‘You have your orders.’” his command, anyway) before he knew anything about the exact or approximate position of the Indian village or the Indians.” Brig. Gen. Alfred Terry, or mentioned it when responding to criticism of his own actions at the Little Big Horn battle.

Was Custer’s Last Stand a manufactured legacy?

25th June 1876: General Custer with his men from the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of Bighorn being defeated by the combined forces of the Sioux-Cheyenne Indians. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ was a manufactured legacy. The Battle of the Little Bighorn—aka Custer’s Last Stand—is steeped in controversy.

What happened to Custer’s Thoroughbred at the Little Bighorn?

Like nearly all lore about Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn, there is much controversy regarding the fate of Custer’s Thoroughbred, Victory, at the LBH. But claims have always existed that Vic’s hooves were robbed from his grave at the LBH by two Cavalry officers.

How many officers were in Buckskin when Custer rode?

It turns out there were six or more officers in buckskin that fateful day, but George A. Custer was the only one riding a sorel horse with four white socks.

Why were there so many Dead Ponies on Custer’s field?

There were not so many dead ponies found on the field, nor many dead horses, indeed surprisingly few, and most of them were on or near Custer Hill. It would seem that they were turned loose that the men might better defend themselves, or were wounded and broke away.

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What is the story of Custer’s horse Vic?

” 1st: Gen. Custer rode ” Vic ” into the fight; Vic was a sorrel, with four white feet and legs and a blaze in the face; he was not found on the field. I have heard that he had been identified in the possession of some Indian in the hostile camp after they went into the British possessions.

What happened to the body of General Custer?

The body was stript except his white cotton socks and they had the name cut off. 4th: Yates, Cooke, Smith and Reilley lay on Custer Hill in the vicinity of the General but nearer the top of the hill, the General ‘s body was slightly down the slope, toward the river.

What weapons did General Custer carry in the wagon train?

The dogs were left with the wagon train. 2nd: General Custer carried a Remington Sporting rifle, octagonal barrel; two Bulldog selfcocking, English, white-handled pistols, with a ring in the butt for a lanyard; a hunting knife, in a beaded fringed scabbard; and a canvas cartridge belt.

How many dead horses did Custer find on the hill?

On the very top were found four or five dead horses that were swollen, putrid, and offensive, their stiffened legs sticking straight out from their bodies. Close under the brow of the hill several horses are lying together, and by the side of one of these Custer was found.”

What happened to Vic the horse?

Historian Michael Donahue believes the Indians took Vic with them to Canada. In contrast, one field report states that Vic was found dead, 100-150 feet from Custer, and another says Vic was one of the dead horses making up the breastworks near where Custer died.

What horse did George Armstrong Custer ride?

After the war, he was stationed in Ft. Riley in northeast Kansas with the 7th Cavalry Company, under the command of George Armstrong Custer. Like the legendary Bucephalus, the horse ridden by Alexander the Great, Comanche was famous for being capable of enduring wounds and fatigue, as well as being of fighting spirit.

Did Custer have two horses in 1876?

But a fascinating series of events, including the sudden appearance of alleged LBH artifacts in modern times, invite conjecture about one particular theory. Custer had two horses in 1876. “Dandy” was a fifteen and a half hand Morgan mixed-breed, a dark bay with white nose and elongated star on his forehead.