Research question

[Ornery Orr]

I'm doing some research to put together my persona of Pvt. Charles M. Orr.  I've discovered that he was born in 1847 in Paris, Ontario, Canada, his prior occupation was as a painter and he joined the 7th Cavalry on September 24th, 1875.  He was assigned to Company C under the command of Capt. Tom Custer.  Although Company C was one of the companies led by Gen. George Custer (Tom's brother) Pvt. Orr was not with them.  He was assigned to temporary duty at the Powder River Camp. 

What I'm wondering now is what was the reason for many individuals staying back at the Powder River Camp?  Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Delmonico]

Two reasons, one was somebody had to guard the supplies there.  The other reason is some of the horses were unfit for the campagin.  since it is well documented that many bought straw hats from a sutler set up there, one would go good.  The Sunbody Espanola would be about right.  This is the same hat you see the Major Reno Ren-Actor on the History Channel shows wearing.  A 4X4 with a flat brim.  I'll see if I can find a link to show you it. 

[Delmonico]

Well I done fergot about that and I knew it.

Somebody broke Sunbodies website, if they is still down tommorow I'll call them and complain.

[Advertising]

[Ornery Orr]

That must have really been something to be 29 years old on June 25th, 1876.  Since he was a painter, I think I'm gonna write my persona as him staying back in order to paint depictions of the battle aftermath once Custer had his "victory".  Sounds more appealing than babysitting a lame horse.  Maybe he was guarding the sabres that they decided not to take with them?

[Lone Gunman]

What I'm wondering now is what was the reason for many individuals staying back at the Powder River Camp?  Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

A) Dysentery.  I'm pretty sure Dr Bob can fix you up with a period correct clyster so you can better re-live that portion of frontier service   

B) He was a painter, eh?  He was probably left behind to put the second coat on the out buildings.

C) The #1 reason most people stayed behind at Powder River Camp....our survey says: "So they didn't get kilt & scalped !" 

[Ornery Orr]

Answer C is plenty good for me!

[Dr. Bob]

OO,

Be happy to treat your desentary.  Some calomel to clean you out and eliminate the evils in your bowles.  Then a nice coffe clyster [enema] to regulate further action.  Fix ya right up!! 

[Ornery Orr]

Make mine decaf.

[Delmonico]

OO, one thought if you want to take yer perrsonna to the ultimate you might want to be a little slow in the head. (But hey, you joined the Frontier Army so onethat way already )  I would also guess painter meant someone who painted houses.  With out any protective gear even a couple years would raise yer lead levels to the dangerous point.

Just a thought, sorry I'm gettin' bored also.

[Books OToole]

Two possibilities:

1)  Bleeding Piles.  A common complaint among cavalrymen.

2) He obviously was an FNG [Funny New Guy].  Somebody has to be left behind for various reasons.  It seems logical to me that the Custers, both Tom as a company commander and George as acting regimental commander, would choose the new guy for those duties.

Books

[Dr. Bob]

Ornery Orr,

Decaf would eliminate the perceived benefit, whch would be the working of the caffine on the patients system.  Kind of like drinking a whole pot of coffee in one big gulp!  Ya jus gotta take it like a good trooper!

That's what the good ol' Army Surgeon Dr. Bob says!  It must be so.

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

As a kid growing up in Tennessee, I used to go to the Circle Y I summer camp which specialized in horse activities.  The premier event was a 3 day trail ride.  Apparently the camp got a good deal on cavalry saddles.  They were constructed of wood, had a channel cut down the middle for the horse's backbone, and had a layer of leather about as deep as gold plate.  Worked great for the horse, but even as a rugged little brat I had trouble walking after a couple of days on this small torture device, and forget about sitting.  If I were to ride one now there would have to be an ambulance nearby.  I empathize with those cavalrymen, especially them old 29'ers.

JD

[Kayleen]

  The lead in the paint was already mentioned. But watch out for some of the colors they could be toxic. Orange is very poisonous. Had something to do with the compounds used to make the colors. Not to mention the combination would make you "Funny in the head" as Bookes said.
Kayleen

[Delmonico]

Arsnic is is the orange and yellows.  But don't worry the copper sulfate in the greens and blues are as bad.  And they all contain lead oxide.

[Ol Gabe]

O.O.,
Perhaps you missed the page where your personnae talked about his "...re-assignment to the Steamer FAR WEST, wherein I was told to stand night Guard Duty and make sure that the two Gatling Guns and accompanying Ammunition Waggons left with the Steamer by Mr. Custer, Geo. A.,  did not fall into the hands of the Enemy."
Of course, your daytime 'Duty' would no doubt have included some shipboard work, and as you were a known Painter, some touch-up brushwork on the Pilothouse would have been just the thing to keep you busy.
No doubt your assignment as a Guard would have then been deemed necessary to have you continue to stay with the  two Guns on the fast trip back downstream with the news of the 'Last Stand', one of America's fastest recorded Steamer trips in the history of the Old West!
Best regards, good reading and hang on for the ride!
'Ol Gabe