"Many of us view Marcus Reno through one lens, the battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25, 1876. And based on our viewpoint, namely our like or dislike of George Custer, we may rate Reno either just above or just below Benedict Arnold on our list of most disliked American military officers. But this is not another Little Big Horn story but rather a Civil War story, that played out almost twelve years to the day before the Little Big Horn.
Upon being graduated by the Military Academy at West Point, Reno had been commissioned as a Bvt 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons. In late 1861, he received a promotion to captain in the re-designated 1st U.S. Cavalry. During the March 17, 1863, fight at Kelly's Ford, Reno, who had command of 760 men of the 1st and 5th US Cavalry regiments, was injured in a fall from his wounded horse, resulting in a hernia. Going home to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to recover, Reno had his leave extended several times, after a supporting truss he had been prescribed opened an abscess on his right thigh.
After three months of medical leave, Reno returned to active duty during the Gettysburg Campaign, serving as chief of staff for Maj. Gen. William F. ‘Baldy' Smith. At General Meade's request, Smith led his militia force from the defenses of Harrisburg and joined the Army of the Potomac during the race back to Virginia…"
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