Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Detail on Reno the Man:A Psychological View would Help, April 1, 2001
This review is from: In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno (Paperback)
Very interesting and great detail on the life of Marcus Reno from his roots where he lost his father and mother at a young age; however, through work and dedication ended up at West Point. There may be more than irony that in his West Point years, Reno had great difficulty with demerits and ended up graduating after two suspension and 6 years at West Point. Although no severe incidents occur at West Point they were enough to suspend him twice as is much the case in his post Little Big Horn (LBH) years resulting in a final court martial. The impact of losing his wife and mother of his child while escorting a survey party with a portion of the 7th in the area of North Dakota and NOT being able to return to his family had to have had a severe impact on Reno. Particularly after his post LBH episode, Reno seemed to have trouble adjusting to bachelorhood. Nichols covers the LBH well except in cases where he buys completely that Benteen was to scout to the left to infinity as Benteen reported and where he speaks in brief detail on Reno's retreat from the LBH valley. Besides vacating his position, the issue of whether all his men were notified of the sudden retreat seems a little weak (company commanders were alleged to be at fault) and more discussion on the lack of a rear guard in the retreat is critical but lacking. In the Reno Court of Inquiry, Lt. Varnum, Dr. Porter, Girard and George Herendeen describe the retreat termed a "charge" by Reno as an uncontrolled rout. Perhaps there was no way to stop the men for a rear guard but that does not seem to be explored in great detail. There also is the controversy surrounding lack of ammunition as being a need to retreat; however, testimony by witnesses on Reno-Benteen Hill note that Reno's battalion took little from the ammo boxes provided by the pack train. Although not ventured by the author, the effect of having the scout Bloody Knifes brains splattered about his face may have caused Reno's abrupt retreat without a rear guard. I say abrupt since over 20 plus men were left behind, some killed and the majority hiding in the brush until they could make it across when the Sioux shifted to Custer's field. This book is very interesting and a final chapter by a psychologist analyzing some of Reno's writings (such as his threatening letter to Former President Ruthorford Hayes) and history may have revealed something more about a man haunted by the LBH. A retired Marine Colonel told me recently that the mere suggestion of cowardice even unproved is severely damaging to a military man's career. Perhaps the same occurred to Reno.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The shadow cast was his own!, February 8, 2007
This review is from: In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno (Paperback)
This book is much better written than Walton and Terrell's FAINT the TRUMPET SOUND, written 33 years earlier. In this book, sources are cited and are extensive. In the earlier treatment, Reno was given a coat of whitewash, and dirt was thrown at everyone around him. Nichols tries to provide the unvarnished truth. In 17 naturally divided chapters he details the time, place, and activities in Reno's life. As I read, I began to count. It took Reno 6 years to graduate from West Point, due to suspensions for demerits ... twice in his senior years. Custer made it in 3, due to the war. He did have to draw on his luck in avoiding a similar expulsion. While 2nd Lt Custer distinguished himself at Bull Run and became an aid on McClellan's Staff ... Lt Reno was still in the North West. He did not arrive in the east until January of 1862, 9 months after Ft. Sumter, and 6 months after Bull Run. In the 39 months remaining in the war, after Reno arrived, he spent 8 on leave, and another 5 months as a recruiter and horse buyer. He fought in a few battles, and was wounded once but, most of the balance of the war he was in staff positions and through them received his promotions. Four days after he was notified he had been brevetted a brigadier; he resumed his regular rank of captain. In the 11 years after the War, he had a number of staff positions, including several courts marshal. He spent 15 months on the selection board that chose the Springfield Carbine that the 7th fought with. Again, in those same 11 years, he took 40 months leave. His wife's sudden death, and the delay in receiving leave, left a deep emotional scar on him. Although he did receive 13 months leave in succession afterwards, and took his son to Europe, Reno never did recover. When that long leave concluded, he assumed command of Ft Lincoln, with Custer in the East, and with just 6 months to get ready for the Little Big Horn Campaign. This timeline provides an additional perspective on how to interpret Reno's performance on his scout, his charges, and the stand on the hill that would bear his name. While there are many questions about his conduct and courage when the bullets were flying, Nichole holds up a man that in the balance of his life had the courage and limited bureaucratic skills to work and fight the system to try to reclaim his honor. Without intent, Ron Nichols also details a pathetic man on a downward path of self destruction who occasionally tried to resist, but blindly embraced his weaknesses. This is a good read on several levels.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Much Needed Biography, July 15, 2002
This review is from: In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno (Paperback)
I have read reviews of this book and have found it to be split on opinions of Reno. I feel it should be the definitive work on Reno. For better or worse this book is the best on Reno, considering the limited amount of literature available on Reno. I admire Ronald Nichols for devoting twenty years for researching this book. Being an avid amateur Custer historian this book will add another view of Little Bighorn and the author's insight into the battle. I especially like the attention given to letters written in defense of Custer and blaming Reno by former Confederate General Thomas L. Rosser. Rosser, a classmate and friend of Custer's at West Point was a true friend of Custer even after the Civil War. One cannot help to feel for Reno and his quest for reinstatement to the Army. When he was finally reinstated many years later it had to be a relief for his descendants. Reno was truly one of the more unfortuanate characters in American Military History along with Confederate General John Bell Hood. A very good book indeed and my congratulations to Mr. Nichols for writing it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
