Guys,

I can see both sides of it. Actually I was more in the "Custer was a twerp" camp before i got involved in this same discussion on the old list. Larry is making a pretty good case there, but you got to balance that out against the weirdness at Trevillian Station.

My own thought is that Miles and Howard, maybe Sturgis and Terry too, were both better commanders in the Indian Wars. Howard especially, he respected the capabilities of the enemy. The Indians used to call him "Day After Tomorrow," but it was Howard's dogged pursuit of the Nez Perce that defeated them, and it was his caution that kept his men alive. In that war, Miles was the glory boy who dashed in at the last moment to claim the victory and all the glory.

Wait for my book, guys!

jn