Black powder use on this day in history

[RWMC]

Custer was always an egotistical glory - monger, for sure. But in the mid 19th century U. S. Army, he did not have a corner on that market. Many fellow commissioned officers were very much the same.....just not quite as colorful.
How he would have faired with the 2nd cav. in tow is an unknown since differences in strategic philosophies might have actually detracted from unit efficiency.
His refusal to absorb the 2nd cav may very well have been due to his ego, but it is dangerous to always assume that the things that were done and seem wrong in retrospect were always due to ego problems. Custer may have had legitimate reasons that were never recorded by history. Many of his fellow officers like Benteen and Reno had grievances against Custer and were jealous of his popular fame. It was these officers who would survive and inform history what, from their perspective, went wrong at the Little Bighorn.
These men would not paint a pretty picture of the Son of the Morning Star. His wife, Libby, outlived most of the critics and forever staunchly defended her husband's reputation, but plenty of people remained to tarnishing as well.

Good insight, Tommygunn. Maybe Custer had some lingering feelings of guilt and a sense of hesitation when asked if he would like the 2nd Cavalrys' assistance. Just nine years earlier, LT. Kidder and 10 men from the 2nd Cavalry were sent out by General Sherman with some dispatches for Custer. Custer failed to wait for Kidder at the designated meeting place. Kidder and his men then ventured on to try to find Custer, but instead of finding Custer, they came across a group of Lakota and Cheyenne. A short battle ensued, in which Lieutenant Kidder and his 10 men and Indian scout were all killed. Maybe Custer sensed that there may still be some " bad blood " between him and members of the 2nd Cavalry due to the deaths of Kidder and his men. Just a thought. But then again, Custer may have been as unconcerned over the death of Kidder and the 2nd Cavalry troopers, the same way in which he did not care to find out the whereabouts of Major Elliott and 20 men of his own 7th Cavalry, who were unaccounted for at the end of the battle of Washita. They too, were all dead. Speculation can go on and on " until the cows come home."

 

[4v50 Gary]

Yesterday was the final day of Gettysburg that resulted in a Union victory. Today in history Pemberton surrendered the garrison of Vicksburg to Grant, opening the father of the waters to the Union. OK, so Port Hudson was still in Confederate hands but soon after learning that Vicksburg fell, Port Hudson surrendered too.

 

[RWMC]

Yesterday was the final day of Gettysburg that resulted in a Union victory. Today in history Pemberton surrendered the garrison of Vicksburg to Grant, opening the father of the waters to the Union. OK, so Port Hudson was still in Confederate hands but soon after learning that Vicksburg fell, Port Hudson surrendered too.

And to think, our country's deadliest war was fought with firearms using black powder.