After Custer's Last Stand, was Benteen or Reno(or Custer) found to be derelict in their duties ?

Question

Am I correct that there was an actual trial re:Reno or Benteen?

Answer 1

After hearing some of the things that were being said about him Reno requested a court of inquiry. It wasn't the best move on his part because, although he was technically exonerated, the court was covered in the press and Reno's questionable actions were brought even further into public view. It is probable that the army wanted the whole business of the Little Bighorn Battle to be forgotten as soon as possible. Reno was restored to duty but the army was keeping a close watch on him and a few years later he was tried on different charges and removed from duty. He died in disgrace from complications due to alcoholism at an early age. Benteen was never charged for his actions at the Little Bighorn although he did face trial on unrelated charges later in his career. He, Benteen, appears to have always had a problem keeping his scorn a secret from authority figures whom he didn't respect. Remember Benteen was a mustang, enlisted as a private soldier, had never been to West Point and didn't have a degree. On at least two occasions he is known to have threatened to shoot a superior officer. One of those times was the that first night on Reno Hill overlooking the Little Bighorn when Reno suggested that they should try to break out through the ring of native warriors who had them surrounded and leave their wounded behind. Benteen was heard by at least two men present to tell Reno that if he, Reno, ordered that anyone be left behind that Benteen would kill Reno himself. Reno apparently believed him because he never gave the order and took no further part in the defense of the hilltop. Reno finally had his rank restored and his record expunged by President Jimmy Carter during the president's flurry of last minute pardons while leaving office. Reno's descendents had him disinterred from his New York grave and reburried at the Little Bighorn Battlefield Cemetery where his correct final rank of "Major" is carved on his stone. Custer was lionized in the popular press of the time and to suggest that he might have overstepped his authority or made mistakes was looked upon as something close to treason against the white race. George Armstrong Custer was exhumed from the his battlefield grave and reburied at the West Point Cemetery. His stone makes mention of his brevet, or temp Civil War rank of Major General but is inscribed with his correct rank at the time of his death, Lt. Col. Nearly the only one who did speak poorly of Custer's leadership and skills as a soldier during that time period was Benteen and he continued to serve, always in one degree of trouble or another. Benteen lived out his years and finally retired after having been suspended from duty at least once. He died in Atlanta and was buried there but was moved to Arlington National Cemetery after a few years, the Little Bighorn officers seem to have been a restless group after death. Now and again, not often but enough to give the world hope, things work out the way they should. Benteen, the mustang who came up from the ranks, threatened to shoot a superior officer who wanted to leave the wounded behind and had a near eternal problem with authority, but was very nearly worshiped by his men, also has his rank inscribed on his Arlington headstone,,,it reads "General"

Answer 2

Yes, there were trials of Reno and Benteen, but to my knowledge, both were exonerated of any charges made against them.

Answer 3

Check out Little Bighorn National Battlefield at
www.nps.gov/libi

Answer 4

Custer was a baby and squaw killer and got what he deserved, I don't care if he was portrayed by Robert Shaw and Erroll Flynn.