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In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno

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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.

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.

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.

I have actually grown up listening to stories from my Grandfather that we were decendants of a great military leader who graduated from West Point and served valiantly during the Civil War and who LISTENED and OBEYED direct orders from Custer, even though he did not agree with what Custer had decided during the Battle of Little Big Horn. A decision that Custer made himself and ultimatley paid the price for. I give strong praise to Ron Nichols for telling a VERY compelling story about Custer's second in charge ( I've been told from my father that Marcus Reno is my great great great uncle ) and the controversy that surrounded him after the battle.

Mr. Nichols proves what my family knew all along - That Major Reno DID follow the direct orders from Custer and had he not conducted himself during that treacherous battle the way he did- he would have lost every man in his company just as Custer did. It was a shame the way this country treated perhaps the bravest soldier in the aftermath of the Battle. In reading this book, I found myself furious and wishing I could have lived during this time to defend my family ( obviously I have some bias ). Thank you Mr. Nichols for the devotion you made in your life to research and bring to life the true story surrounding a great military hero. -Jon R. Reno

Ronald H. Nichols brings students of the Little Big Horn a valuable source of information about Custer's second in command, Major Marcus Albert Reno. An ex Marine with a gift for writing, Nichols spent more than two decades studying Reno and the battle which both ensured his immortality and his controversial role as scapegoat for Custer's catastrophic defeat.

Nichols book succeeds in bringing Reno out of Custer's shadow and presenting him in an objective, thoroughly researched book. Nichols knows his man and the ground upon which he fought. The value of IN CUSTER'S SHADOW is enhanced by Brian Pohanka's thoughtful introduction.

The books published about this battle in a remote corner of Montana would fill a good sized library and you'd expect a lot of books about Reno. There aren't. The last biography of Reno was published more than three decades ago. Nichols' excellent book meets the need for a biolgraphy which takes into account the recent milestones in the study of this fascinating battle.

Older treatments of the Little Big Horn usually take the position that Custer lost the battle because his subordinates, especially Reno, let him down. They assume that the battle was Custer's to win.

Nichols takes a less ethnocentric, more objective approach suggesting that the Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors won the battle rather than seeking scapegoats to explain Custer's defeat. His underlying thesis resembles He Dog's explanation of the battle to General Hugh L. Scott in 1919. Scott asked the famous Oglala warrior what would have happened if Custer and Reno had stayed together and charged into the village.

Without hesitation, He Dog answered that he and his warriors would have killed them all no matter what they did. The warriors were many and the soldiers too few.

Indeed, Nichols points out that Reno dismounted his troopers and formed them up into a skirmish line about 500 yards from a defilade formed by a change in the course of the Little Big Horn River which concealed more than 500 warriors. Continuing his charge would have placed Reno in the same desperate position Fetterman found himself in, cut-off and badly outnumbered with lifespans measured in minutes. And, it probably wouldn't have saved Custer and his command.

I like OUT OF CUSTER'S SHADOW and gave it five stars. If you're interested in the Little Big Horn, U.S. military history, the Indian Wars, the American West or the Seventh Cavalry, you'll enjoy Ron Nichols' book.

I've heard this story all my life, but was unsure just what the truth of it was about our Marcus. I've read a part of the book Son of the Morning Star, which is about Custer's Last Stand. My Dad said that some people who were to have died in this famous battle, actually did not die. Reason being that they hid under an overhang of roots in a creek and were not found by the Natives.

Anyway, I have read your review, and its good enough for me that I should buy this book. Your review on the book tells me that my hunch was correct, that our Marcus was following orders.

Jon, I'd really enjoy corresponding with you, as a relative. I'm currectly searching my genealogy and if it would be ok, I'd like to contact you. My email address is plbritton@hotmail.com (the "l" is "l" as in "lamb".

Thanks, Peggy Britton

PS. For anybody who wants a wonderful account of Marcus, I'd recommend this book, on Jon R Reno's reviw.

I have actually grown up listening to stories from my Grandfather that we were decendants of a great military leader who graduated from West Point and served valiantly during the Civil War and who LISTENED and OBEYED direct orders from Custer, even though he did not agree with what Custer had decided during the Battle of Little Big Horn. A decision that Custer made himself and ultimatley paid the price for. I give strong praise to Ron Nichols for telling a VERY compelling story about Custer's second in charge ( I've been told from my father that Marcus Reno is my great great great uncle ) and the controversy that surrounded him after the battle.

Mr. Nichols proves what my family knew all along - That Major Reno DID follow the direct orders from Custer and had he not conducted himself during that treacherous battle the way he did- he would have lost every man in his company just as Custer did. It was a shame the way this country treated perhaps the bravest soldier in the aftermath of the Battle. In reading this book, I found myself furious and wishing I could have lived during this time to defend my family ( obviously I have some bias ). Thank you Mr. Nichols for the devotion you made in your life to research and bring to life the true story surrounding a great military hero. -Jon R. Reno

sorry for the title there, but I generally have to agree with the chula vista reader and Hurley; this is just basically a story baselined from the rehash of Reno testimony, and as such, at least in terms of the actions of Reno et al., really sheds no new light, and tends to continue the Custer vs. Reno/Benteen polarization... which is fine, if that is really the tack that the author wishes to adhere to.
What I did find interesting, especially in terms of some of the Reno/Benteen apologists, is the very subtle absolution given Reno: his rout/retreat was not carried out properly due to the failure of the troop commanders. Isn't that the other side of the coin that so many argue over regarding Reno and Benteen's support (sic) of Custer; it's okay to excuse Reno for his subordinates alleged lack of performance, but not Custer?

I mean no disrespect to the relatives of Reno, but the wealth of data available in the historical record probably is even too lenient in "judging" the actions of Reno and Benteen on that day. This is NOT to say that any different outcome would have necessarily occurred; the United Tribes were truly better-positioned, better-armed, and effective that afternoon. The appearance of collusion by Reno and Benteen to not effect even a demonstration of lawfully-ordered military support to Custer cannot be dismissed, rationalized, nor wished away. It certainly was obvious to Captain Weir what Reno and Benteen were up to.

A critical, penetrating biography of Marcus Reno would be a welcome addition to Little Bighorn (LBH) devotees. You will not find it here. The chapters concerning Reno's actions during the Little Bighorn battle (two chapters out of a total of 17) most certainly break NO new ground.

Mr. Nichols sources for Reno's actions come virtually entirely from the testimony given at the Reno court of inquiry. As LBH fans know, the reliability of much of the testimony from the Reno court of inquiry is open to question. Many feel much was withheld, actions shaded, and even perjury committed. To base the single most important event in Reno's life essentially on this one source is not good biography writing. There is such a wealth of research devoted to this battle, it perplexes me why Mr. Nichols did not make any use of it.

I disagree with a previous reviewer of this book, as nothing is "proved" here. Simply regurgitating old testimony from that court of inquiry is not proof. Ronald Nichols is, as you may know, the editor of the complete version of the preceedings of the Reno Court of Inquiry.

The only reason this book is of interest is the account of Reno's years prior to LBH, especially his troublesome years at West Point. Reno's life after LBH was decidedly dull. This "besotted mediocrity", as Robert Utley called him, spent many fruitless years trying to get re-instated into the Army after his dismissal, while working as a clerk in the Pensions Bureau. Not very interesting reading.