Benteen: A Brave But Bitter Battalion Leader

One can hardly mention Marcus Reno without also discussing Captain Frederick W. Benteen. Both served under Custer, and both detested him in similar ways. Not that they necessarily like each other, either. Benteen once struck Reno and challenged him to a duel. Sadly, each man saw his military career end due to alcohol issues.

Background and Early Army Career

Benteen was born in August 1834 at Petersburg, Virginia, virtually the place where America’s Civil War ended. That war was the making of Benteen’s military career. By its end he had progressed through each rank to that of full colonel, and he was breveted a brigadier general.

Benteen’s career path was anything but conventional, however, which may have led to his apparent bitterness in much of life. He did not attend West Point, as most career officers had. As a boy he moved with his family to Missouri, where he was apparently a commoner.

Benteen’s father, a true Virginian, not only remained an ardent slave holder but viewed Southern slavery as a divine institution. At the Civil War’s outbreak Frederick aligned with the Union and enlisted. His father not only disowned him but stated he would pray daily that Frederick would be killed – ideally by a bullet fired by one of his own kin.

Distinguished Civil War Service

By September 1961 Benteen was a First Lieutenant in the 10^th Missouri Volunteer cavalry, and within a month he had become a captain. By 1962’s end he earned the rank of major, and early 1864 he was made Colonel in charge of a regiment. His brevet to brigadier general was made after the war’s end.

Benteen distinguished himself in numerous actions and conflicts during the Civil War. As Missouri was heavily divided between slavery and abolition, a good deal of military effort and resources went toward fending off secessionist forces and driving them from the state. Benteen was in the thick of much of it.

In Colonel Graham’s summary of Benteen’s career, he describes a family secret later “let out” by Benteen’s 10-year-old son Freddie. Benteen’s embittered father served the Confederacy as a blockade runner on “the great inland rivers.” Those apparently included the Mississippi and Missouri. Regardless, knowing his vessel and mission, Frederick used his 10^th Missouri to capture and confiscate the vessel and contraband cargo. His father remained in federal prison until paroled in 1865. He learned only years later that his capture had come at his son’s hands.

Benteen would distinguish himself beyond Missouri during the Civil War as well. He was conspicuous in his regiment’s actions in Alabama and Georgia too as the war progressed, thus earning his recommendation for the brigadier-general brevet.

Post Civil War Career

Unlike many career officers, Benteen retained his rank as Colonel of the 138^th “colored” regiment in 1865. As Custer historian William A. Graham wrote, “Benteen found this service personally distasteful,” and noted he “surrendered” the rank in July 1866 when the new 7^th Cavalry Regiment was organized. Benteen joined the Seventh as a captain and held that rank for most of his remaining career.

It is uncertain why Benteen disliked leading the “colored” regiment. Some writers allege he exhibited racial prejudice. It is also alleged he disliked or mistreated black interpreter Isaiah Dorman while later stationed at Fort Rice in Dakota Territory. He has generally been described as generally disliking most people.

A Sports Perspective

Benteen does appear to have appreciated various sports and their benefits, both to him and to his enlisted subordinates. Historian Thom Hatch quotes Private Thomas Ewert, who wrote to the Yankton Press and Dakotaian:

“On the first day of March, 1873, ‘H’ company seventh cavalry, stationed at Nashville, Tennessee, resolved to organize a club with the view of having games, sports and exercises to be known as the ‘Benteen base ball and gymnasium club’ (in honor of our company commander, captain F.W. Benteen, Brevet Colonel U.S.A.).”

Numerous accounts exist of baseball contests played between teams from Forts Rice and Lincoln as well as against civilian teams or clubs from nearby cities. In 1877 during the Nez Perce campaign, a trooper noted contests between the 2^nd and 7^th Cavalries along the Yellowstone River drainage.

Benteen seems to have enjoyed the merits of fishing as well. Frontier military troops often loved to supplement their mundane rations with either wild game or trout and other fish teeming in the streams along which they camped and campaigned. Reno himself made several mentions of the fishing rod he took along and enjoyed using during his western campaigns.

The Custer Controversy

When it came to Custer, however, Benteen had plenty of dislike and criticism. As with Reno, this may have stemmed from professional envy, given Custer’s youth and rapid success without seniority. It relates to other sources as well, however.

Benteen was close to Major Joel Elliot, who was wiped out along with 20 troopers during the Washita attack. Officers must have leeway to make decisions independently based on circumstances at hand. Acting independently, Elliot broke off his attack and pursued fleeing warriors away from the point of attack. Only much later was his squadron found, all dead and mutilated. No one had known he had left, or where he had gone.

Weather conditions were extreme, men and horses were already at risk due to the previous day and night’s march, and overwhelming numbers of warriors were appearing from nearby villages. Custer felt compelled to leave after scouts failed to find Elliot’s squadron. Benteen always felt Custer had abandoned him.

Custer fumed after he was criticized publicly in an “anonymous” letter published by a newspaper following Washita. The letter had been written to a friend by Benteen without intent to publish it. (At least one anonymous letter would appear in the New York Herald exposing tradership scandals under Grant’s administration. Ironically, Custer was a suspected source.) For any other faults, Benteen owned what he said. Custer, in effect, backed down when Benteen claimed authorship.

Little Bighorn Legacy

Animosity simmered beneath decorum through subsequent assignments and campaigns. It would lead to questions after the Little Bighorn. Among the first might be why Benteen’s battalion sent southward, away from the Sioux/Cheyenne village. It likely reflects trust rather than spite. Someone did need to ensure no “hostiles” were fleeing southward.

When Benteen decided (independently) his assignment was futile, he returned toward the other two battalions. Custer sent a message to Benteen directing him to hurry northward and bring the ammunition packs. The mule train was detached separately, but it reached Reno’s demoralized and routed troops about when Benteen’s did. Unanswered (and unanswerable) questions arise from there.

Disconcerted, Reno directed Benteen to help his troops; Benteen’s superior, he effectively countermanded Custer’s order.  Benteen was widely commended for taking command and control of the combined troops entrenching on those bluffs. He directed at least one surprise offensive movement, undoubtedly saving troopers’ lives. None other than George Herendeen described him as exceedingly brave.

Could He Have Saved Custer?

Benteen also led a troop movement toward Custer’s location, which was unknown to him. By that time, hordes of warriors were streaming en masse toward Reno’s position. It was later realized they had finished annihilating Custer’s troops. Further advance would have been suicidal. Only coordinated rear-guard action saved them.

Benteen’s Biggest Battles

Benteen continued his career as the 7^th Cavalry rebuilt. In 1877 he distinguished himself against the Nez Perce at Canyon Creek and was breveted colonel. He was promoted to major in 1882. However, after performing honorably in numerous battles from 1861 on, he effectively lost his battle with alcohol. As with Reno, drunkenness led to debauchery and discharge.

As with virtually all aspects of the Little Bighorn, many continue to question Benteen’s actions that day. In retirement he found mutual empathy with former trooper Theodore Goldin, whose Little Bighorn accounts are highly suspect. Letters between the two show Benteen’s bent for sarcasm and critique.

President Cleveland amended Benteen’s army dismissal to a one-year suspension. He then retired on disability. He was event breveted brigadier general for his actions against the Nez Perce and for what he is known best: the Little Bighorn.