Video Of An Old Pony Express Rider

This is a really interesting interview from long ago of a former Pony Express rider. It's a quick watch at only 2-3 minutes long.

"This is Richard Clarke (15 December 1845 – 5 May 1930), born in Yorkshire, England, who was a United States frontiersman, Pony Express rider, actor, and armed forces member.

During his career, Clarke fought alongside George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn against the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples."

I thought General Custer's Battalion was wiped out

Letter to a Trooper.
John Stuart Stuart-Forbes, born 28th May 1849 RUGBY England
John S Hiley, was a pseudonym, adopted from his brother in law.
"E Troop, was also known as the "Grey Horse Troop"
This cover last sold I believe for $28,000 2015?

Article 1976
The letter was franked by a Left wing margin, single, 1873 3d Rose, Plate 19. (SG#144) Tied with a MARGATE Duplex postmark

The 7th Calvary Regiment's strength at the battle consisted of approximately 700 men, split into three battalions (Custer, Reno, and Benteen). Lieutenant Colonel Custer was, of course, the Commander of the Regiment.

Custer's battalion was wiped out. Benteen joined with Reno on Reno Hill.

The total casualties were about 268 killed and 68 wounded (a few of whom later died from their wounds).

The fight on Custer Hill was a rout. The fight on Reno Hill was a defensive one until the Native Americans left the field and the Regiment was relieved.

It was possible for any individual trooper to be detailed (to the pack train, for example) from their unit that day, so there were quite a few survivors from the wiped out units that ended up on Reno Hill. None of those who fought on/near Custer Hill survived...

John

Small correction John. One cavalry horse survived the battle know as Custers last Stand. There was purportedly one scout, young man, who claimed he survived the battle. When informed of this the Great War Chief Gall said"where are his wings" . Libby Custer who spent the rest of her life building Custers legend hated the native Americans, but couldn't help but be impressed by Gall, who carried himself with great dignity as befitting his status. Custer was widely despised by his men, and colleagues. All this from Larry McMurty's "Custer" .
Regards, mark

Edit: Side note. To this day the 7th Cav has a diagonal strike through their regimental patch. I was told by a veteran it was acknowledging the loss of colors and unit at the Little Big Horn.

Mark,

Comanche and Curly, respectively, I know.

I was talking about human participants... Comanche, while no doubt a brave and fine horse, didn't do much fighting that day... Much wounded, he was honored the rest of his life and then stuffed for display...

The scout Curly's account of the battle was/is not believed, either then or now.

John

Forensic history is interesting.
The common lore is what most people tend to learn and believe.

"In the years between 1876 and the later 1920s, 70 grizzled galoots and geezers told amused journalists and historians that they were the lone survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Their stories fell into one of three predictable patterns: disguised themselves as Indians by wrapping up in blankets; hid inside a scooped-out horse or a scooped-out buffalo; rescued by the chief's daughter, who found them irresistible ().

Many could have been there, just not directly with the 7th at that time.

If interested, please add the following to the discussion.
pat

https://www.historynet.com/survivor...ng-stand.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Finkel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richa...rontiersman)

Overall picture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battl...vivor_claims

(edit:tried three times to spell "please"

Ok-Ok, you caught me. I am the lone survivor of Big Horn. Jeez.

In truth Rogdcam there were many many survivors. Unfortunately for the 7th they were all Native Americans.
Regards mark

So, Rog, we can add time travel to your many accomplishments?
Imagine the stunning rarities you could have picked up for next to nothing...



John