Being there . . . . to fully understand and appreciate the poignant drama surrounding drama of
unsung Major Marcus Reno’s life, career, and controversial, if not outright disturbing, actions at
the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Prior to what unsurpassed, unrivaled, Civil War-emphasizing
McFarland Publishers has prepared for you, and partially defined here, there has been little, if
any, in-depth analysis of both the criticized and lauded officer. For decades, publishing house
editors across America have yearned for a readable, absorbing, and realistically fresh
appraisement of the inscrutable, NAY, often enigmatical but always courageous commissioned
officer. Along came author Frederic C. Wagner III who served as an officer both in the U.S. Army
and the New York Army National Guard. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he worked for 22 years
as a commodities broker. “Readable? Here, read mine,” Fred seemed to say with a warm smile.
And, in 2021,”Marcus Reno in the Valley of the Little Big Horn – Limited Means, Excessive Aims”
was originally published. And what a treasure presented as a gift to the self, family member, or
friend! Note that it will always be cherished as an acclaimed biography, not necessarily popular
history, since sweat-dripping research inundates his solid substructure of scholarship. This most
thoughtful study is founded on a wide mastery of material, some old and familiar, some still
breathing but neglected, and some previously unused.
PROVOCATIVE NEW McFARLAND BOOK OFFERS FRESH ANSWERS TO THE UNANSWERED
QUESTIONS OF JUNE 26, 1876, THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN, ALSO KNOWN AS “CUSTER’S
LAST STAND” IN EASTERN MONTANA. WAS THE MASSACRE THE FAULT OF MAJOR MARCUS
RENO, SINCE BOTH LAUDED AND CRITICIZED? AUTHOR FREDERIC C. WAGNER III EXAMINES THE
“ORDERS” GIVEN IN CUSTER’S COMMAND AND HOW THEY WERE TREATED, THE TACTICS AND
FIGHTING IN THE VALLEY, RENO’S ALCOHOLISM, AND HIS LAST STAND ON THE HILLTOP NAMED
FOR HIM. HIGH, HIGH PRAISE BECAUSE IT READ IT READS LIKE FICTION . . .
Reviewed and Recommended as a Special Christmas and New Year Gift by Don DeNevi
“MARCUS RENO IN THE VIALLEY OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN – – Limited Means, Excessive Aims”, by
Frederic C. Wagner III. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina:
Originally published, 2021, 274 pages, 7”x10”, softcover, $49.95. Visit,
www.mcfarlandpub.com.
Though Reno’s actions at the Little Bighorn were never officially criticized by the army
command, he himself called for a Court of Inquiry into his actions at the battle to officially
exonerate his name. Two-and-a-half years later, on February 10, 1879, after extensive
interrogation of the officers and civilians present at the battle, the court concluded, “. . . while
Subordinates in some instances did more for the safety of the command by brilliant displays of
courage than did Major Reno, there is nothing in his conduct which required adverse criticism
from the Court.”
Echoes author Wagner III, ‘My conclusions are simple: Marcus Reno was not a coward: no
poltroon runs pell-mell into the teeth of a thousand warriors; he was not drunk; his
competence would have to be assessed as marginal; he made too many crucial tactical errors,
though some were forced upon him by failed assumptions, etc., all of which Fred painfully
explores, explains, and answers. Cogently, he writes in his concluding paragraph, “There are no
winners here, and to the misfortune of memory and history, the tragedy continues to stalk men
like George Armstrong Custer and Frederick William Benteen, but maybe most of all, Marcus
Albert Reno. A false mantle was thrust upon a man trying to do his best, ill served by his
commander even if not by design, and maybe even by some of those commanded. Like Custer,
that fateful day, posterity owes him more. He was just another soldier in dirty-shirt blue, maybe
not the best silk, but certainly of American homespun.”
What a ride! “Marcus Reno” reads like a novel, especially the only Appendix which Fred
breaks up into five categories, “Command’s Watch Time”, “EVENT” (absolutely priceless),
“Speed”, “Distance Traveled”, and “Source Notes: Primary Sources – – Secondary Sources in
Italics”. Of course, this book is gift worthy. But make darn sure you order a copy for yourself!
