The Battle of the Little Bighorn: An Epic Cultures Clash

let's get deeper into  the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which is commonly referred to as "The Custer's Last Stand."

 

 The Battle of the Little Bighorn: An Epic Cultures Clash

Table of content

1.  Introduction
2.  Background to the Battle
3. The Opposing Forces
4.  Chronology of the Battle
5.  Key Factors in the Stunning Native American Victory
6.  The Consequence and Effect of the Fight
7.  Key Participants and Leaders at the Battle
8.  Common Myths and Misconceptions
9.  The  Little Bighorn's Legacy
10.  conclusion
11.  Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, was one of the defining moments of the Great Sioux War of 1876. On that fateful day in June, the 7th Cavalry led by George Armstrong Custer engaged in battle with Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors along the banks of the Little Bighorn River. What began as a routine campaign by the U.S. Army to force Native American tribes onto government reservations, instead became General Custer's final battle.

Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Custer and over 200 men found themselves fighting for their lives against a massive encampment of Native warriors yet It was a stunning defeat for the 7th Cavalry, one that would forever stain Custer's reputation. 

 

While a great victory for the tribes defending their lands, it only intensified the military response from Washington in the following years. The full details of what exactly happened during those few days in June 1876 have long been debated. Some see Custer as a reckless leader, others as brave but foolish. For the Native Americans involved, it was a historic triumph, if only a temporary one.

 Background to the Battle

To really understand what happened along the banks of the Little Bighorn that day, we need to take a step back and look at the larger situation at play.

💭 The Great Sioux War had been raging for years by 1876, as Native tribes resistant to relocation resisted fiercely against mounting pressures from Washington.

💭The Lakota and Cheyenne found their traditional way of life increasingly challenged by encroaching settlements and dwindling buffalo herds although Treaties signed in past decades promised vast territories for exclusive Indian use but were now being broken as gold strikes and expanding railroads drove white expansion westward. 

💭When negotiations failed to protect their homeland So violence became inevitable between those defending Indian country and the U.S. Army sent to force the tribes onto reservations.

💭By the time Custer's expedition set out that June the tensions had reached a boiling point. A massive encampment of Lakota and Cheyenne gathered in the valley of the Little Bighorn, determined to make a stand against further dispossession. 

Their numbers alone conveyed a message although these tribes would not go quietly onto the reservations. It was into this tinderbox that Custer and the 7th Cavalry decided to march for setting the stage for the confrontation that would change the trajectory of the Great Sioux War.

  

The Great Sioux Reservation

The Lakota (also called the Teton or Western Sioux) and Northern Cheyenne occupied a vast territory across the Northern Great Plains by the mid-19th century. This included parts of present-day Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

After a series of wars from 1854 to 1890, the Lakota and Cheyenne signed treaties that confined them to reservations. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie established the Great Sioux Reservation, encompassing all of present-day South Dakota west of the Missouri River. This included the sacred Black Hills, a resource-rich area the Lakota considered the center of their spiritual world.

 Encroachments on Treaty Lands

The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 sparked a gold rush into Lakota and Cheyenne territory guaranteed by treaty as a result Thousands of prospectors flooded onto reservation lands despite warnings from the US Army. Lakota leaders such as Sitting Bull refused to negotiate with the US government over the sale or lease of the Black Hills.

With no legal recourse, the Lakota and Cheyenne opposed the trespass through raids on prospectors and settlements fringing their lands. The US Army was tasked with protecting travelers along the Bozeman Trail, a major overland route to the Montana goldfields. Attacks on Army outposts escalated tensions, leading to calls for the US government to force Native Americans onto reservations.

The Great Sioux War of 1876

In late 1875, the Grant administration directed Native Americans in the Great Sioux Reservation to report to reservations by January 31, 1876, or be considered “hostile.” With no response from Lakota leaders, the Army prepared a large-scale operation for the spring and summer of 1876. Three columns would converge on the Little Bighorn and Powder River regions, attacking or rounding up any Native Americans who resisted reservation life.

 

The most famous of these expeditions was led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer and the 7th Cavalry Regiment. Setting out from Fort Abraham Lincoln in present-day North Dakota in May 1876, Custer’s orders were to ride south and locate Native American encampments along the Little Bighorn River.

The stage was set for a major collision between the US Army and the Lakota and Cheyenne forces protecting their homelands.

you may also read about Surprising Facts About the American Civil War

The Opposing Forces

The opposing forces at the Battle of the Little Bighorn differed greatly in size olso composition, and fighting methods:

Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s 7th Cavalry Regiment	Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Forces
Soldier Count: Around 647 soldiers were organized into 12 companies.	Warrior Count: Likely between 1800 to 2500 warriors from different bands and tribes.
Armament: Armed with single-shot Springfield carbines with limited ammunition. Supported by Gatling guns that were never used in the actual battle.	Armament: Armed with a variety of weapons including repeating rifles, bows, war clubs, and lances. Had more ammunition per warrior than Custer’s men.
Tactics: Trained in Civil War-era cavalry tactics unsuited to fighting highly mobile Plains warriors. Relied more on courage than marksmanship or defensive tactics.	Tactics: Skilled at hunting and warfare honed by generations living off the Great Plains. Fiercely defending families, homelands, and way of life. Used rapid strikes, ambushes, and encirclement tactics.
Leadership: Led by the bold but reckless Custer, who refused Gatling guns and split his forces just before the battle.	Leadership: Led by great Lakota commanders like Crazy Horse and Gall, who inspired warriors to stand their ground.

The lack of coordination between the Army regiments, exhaustion from long marches, and Custer’s dividing his forces all contributed to the one-sided result at the Little Bighorn.

 Chronology of the Battle (June 25-26, 1876)

The initial movements and skirmishes that ignited the fighting at the Little Bighorn occurred over 24-48 hours from June 25 to the dawn of June 26, 1876. This timeline reconstructs the known events:

June 24: Splitting the 7th Cavalry

Custer’s scouts locate a large Native American village 15 miles away along the Little Bighorn River. Instead of waiting for reinforcements, Custer splits his forces into four groups:

•  Custer takes 5 companies (C, E, F, I, and L) straight to the village.
•  Capt. Frederick Benteen takes 3 companies (D, H, and K) south to cut off any fleeing warriors.
•  Maj. Marcus Reno takes 3 companies (A, G, and M) north to approach the village from the south.
•  Capt. McDougall guards the pack train with Company B.

This fateful decision divides Custer’s forces and removes the Gatling guns from his immediate support.

 Afternoon of June 25: Reno’s Attack

• Around 3 PM, Reno’s force attacks the southern end of the village but is quickly overwhelmed and pinned down.
•  Under heavy fire, Reno orders the companies to retreat into woods along the river after suffering heavy casualties.

 3-4 PM: Custer Hears Heavy Gunfire

•  Custer reaches high ground north of the village but realizes Reno is in trouble and tries to come to his aid.
•  Thousands of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors mobilize from the massive encampment, outnumbering Custer’s force at least 10 to 1.

 4-6 PM: Custer’s 5 Companies Annihilated

•  Attacked from all sides near present-day Custer Hill, Custer, and over 200 men are surrounded and killed in intense close-quarter fighting.
•  Exact details are uncertain due to the lack of survivors, but many were killed within minutes of the opening shots.  
•  Bodies are found stripped of weapons and equipment, with evidence many were attacked after being wounded.

After 6 PM: Reno and Benteen Take Defensive Positions

•  Reno and Benteen’s companies unite on a bluff and dig rifle pits against Native American attacks through the night.
•  They are reinforced by McDougall and Company B around midnight but nearly run out of ammunition.
•   The warriors do not close in for the kill, perhaps wanting the soldiers to retreat from the area.

 

 The morning of June 26: Reno and Benteen Retreat

•  On the morning of June 26, the Native American forces break off the engagement.
•  Reno and Benteen retreat north after a siege of nearly 24 hours, carrying their 51 wounded with them.
•  Native American casualties are unknown but estimated to be around 60 based on burial sites later found on the battlefield.

 Key Factors in the Stunning Native American Victory

The defeat of five companies of Custer's force with no survivors would haunt the Army for decades. A variety of interlinking factors contributed to the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho victory:
 

 1. Size of the Native American Village

•  With thousands of warriors gathered, the village was far larger than Custer anticipated. Some estimates suggest up to 8000 Native Americans.
•  As Custer approached, the huge numbers of warriors pouring out of the encampment overwhelmed his divided forces.

2. Repeating Rifles vs. Single-Shot Carbines

•  Native warriors were often better armed with repeating rifles seized from settlements and military campaigns.
•  In contrast, the cavalrymen were equipped with single-shot Springfield carbines that were slower to reload and fired fewer rounds per minute.

 3. Breakdown of Discipline and Leadership in Reno's Companies

• Major Reno lost control of his three companies during the confusing fighting in the trees along the encampment.
• Many of his men panicked and fled across the river to the bluffs where Benteen later found them.
• This left Custer's five companies wholly isolated and allowed thousands of warriors to concentrate on their annihilation.

 4. Custer's Divided Tactics

•  By splitting his forces without waiting for reinforcements, Custer ensured neither Reno nor Benteen could come to his aid once under attack.
•  He relied on outdated Civil War cavalry tactics ill-suited to a fight with highly mobile Native American forces.
•  Allowing companies to become separated cost him strength in numbers at a critical moment.

 5. Brilliant Native American Battlefield Tactics

•  Lakota and Cheyenne commanders like Crazy Horse expertly trapped and separated Custer on the high ground, surrounding his companies.
•  Warrior bravery and ingenuity allowed them to get in close and eliminate Custer's men despite taking casualties.
•  They refused to let up through the night, pinning down Reno and Benteen and preventing them from reinforcing Custer earlier.

 6. Low Ammunition Supplies

•  Reno and Benteen's companies nearly exhausted their ammunition supplies after the all-night siege.
•  This prevented a final stand and forced their retreat, allowing the Native American forces to claim victory.
•  Better equipping of warriors with ammunition ensured they could sustain fire longer.

The Consequence and Effect of the Fight

The fallout from the disaster at the Little Bighorn was widespread, with consequences for the US Army, the Native American tribes, and the mythmaking around Custer's Last Stand.

 

 For the US Army

1.  Deep humiliation that 268 soldiers were killed, including a famed Civil War hero like Custer.
2. Multiple investigations questioned Custer's leadership, but senior officers including General Alfred Terry escaped blame.
3.  Reform of weapons and tactics to emphasize defensive capability over bold offensive maneuvers against Native American forces.
4.  More determined than ever to exert control over Lakota and Cheyenne, leading to the climax of the Great Sioux War.

For the Native American Tribes

1.  Celebrated as the greatest victory over the US Army in the long struggle to protect ancestral lands.
2. Brought different bands like the Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota together in solidarity.
3.  Provoked an aggressive response from the Army that eventually forced tribes onto reservations within a year.
4.  The loss of influential chiefs like Crazy Horse weakened Native American resistance in the long run.

 The Custer Myth and Little Bighorn in Legacy

 

 The Battle of the Little Bighorn

💨- Initially a humiliating disaster, Custer's Last Stand later became mythologized as a noble fight against overwhelming odds.

💨- Custer is cast as a gallant martyr and the 7th Cavalry as tragic heroes, with a focus on their bravery.

💨- Native Americans were portrayed as savage aggressors rather than defenders of their homeland and culture.

💨- Little Bighorn battle site made a National Monument in 1946 over Native American objections.

💨- Debates continue over memorializing a US defeat and how to tell the story from the Native American perspective.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn remains one of the most storied events of the American West, with Custer cast as both culprit and victim in the country's fraught history.

 Key Participants and Leaders at the Battle

The Battle of the Little Bighorn involved notable commanders and fighting men on both sides who shaped the course of events:

 

Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer

👀- Flamboyant officer who led the 7th Cavalry Regiment to disaster, dying with over 200 of his men.

👀- Civil War hero known for bold tactics, but underestimated Native American forces. Made fatal errors splitting his forces.

👀- Legendary figure in American history who later became synonymous with Custer's Last Stand. The subject of endless debate and numerous biographies. 

  

Major Marcus Reno

🔫- Led the initial three companies of Custer's forces into the southern end of the village.

🔫- Lost control of his men during confused fighting along the river and bluffs, with many fleeing.

🔫- Heavily criticized for his performance after surviving the battle, with accusations of cowardice and drunkenness.

 Captain Frederick Benteen

👉- Led three companies south of Custer's trail but made it to Reno's position on the night of June 25.

👉- Held the defensive position on the bluffs against Native American forces, saving Reno's surviving companies from annihilation.

👉- Criticized for not attempting to reinforce Custer earlier, though likely would have been ineffective.

👉- Survived the battle and later claimed he could never understand Custer's actions.

 Sitting Bull

🐂- Influential Hunkpapa Lakota spiritual leader who had visions of Native American victory.

🐂- Helped unite various bands before the battle but did not fight directly, though present at the encampment.

🐂- Surrendered in 1881 after years of resistance and died in 1890 while under Army watch.

Crazy Horse

🐴- Legendary Oglala Lakota war leader who masterminded the encirclement of Custer and his annihilation.

🐴- Inspired Native American resistance early in the battle and led counterattacks on Reno and Benteen.

🐴- Remained defiant until 1877 when he surrendered at Fort Robinson, later dying in custody in unclear circumstances.
 

The contrasting leadership and decisions on both sides during the battle heavily influenced whether each force was victorious or doomed.

 Common Myths and Misconceptions

Given the controversy and legend surrounding Custer's Last Stand for almost 150 years, numerous myths and misconceptions persist about the Battle of the Little Bighorn:

 Custer Surprised a Sleeping Camp

🇽False. The village was already mobilizing warriors due to the attack on June 25 by Reno's force. Custer was actually surprised by the huge number of Native Americans.

The Native Americans Outnumbered the Soldiers

✅True. Conservative estimates suggest at least 1800 warriors to 650 soldiers. Some counts suggest a 10 to 1 disparity or higher favoring the Native American forces.

 Custer Could Have Won with Gatling Guns

❗Unlikely. Even if Custer kept his forces concentrated with the Gatlings, the terrain limited where they could be deployed and warriors were adept at closing distances rapidly.

 Custer's Men Were All Killed in a Massacre

✋Exaggerated. About 268 died with Custer's five companies. Over 300 survived the siege of Reno and Benteen's position. Indian casualties were significantly lower.

 Custer Deserved His Fate Through Arrogance

😕 Debatable. Custer made fatal mistakes splitting his forces, but he could not anticipate exactly how large the village was or the intensity of resistance. Outcomes of other failures were less catastrophic.

Native Americans Celebrated It As Their Greatest Victory

💪Initially true. But the Army escalated campaigns, leading to the Native American defeat within a year. In

In the long run, the Battle of Little Bighorn provoked harsher efforts to confine tribes to reservations rather than stopping that process.

Sitting Bull Drove the Local American Powers to Triumph

✋Exaggerated. Sitting Bull inspired spiritual resistance and helped unite the villages, but was not a battlefield commander. Credit for the victory belongs more to Crazy Horse, Gall, Lame White Man, and other Lakota and Cheyenne leaders.

Benteen Could Have Saved Custer by Reinforcing Him

❗Unlikely. Benteen only arrived at Reno's position around 4 PM when Custer was already dead or isolated. Attempting to reach Custer would have meant the destruction of all the detachments in detail.

Major Reno Was a Drunkard and Coward

✖Unproven. Reno made mistakes in losing control of his men during confusing fighting, but any officer would have struggled given the circumstances. Drunkenness allegations were never substantiated.

The reality of the battle as reconstructed from evidence is more nuanced than the Custer myth or anti-Custer rhetoric. Misconceptions continue partly due to the limited first-hand accounts on the Native American side.

The  Little Bighorn's Legacy

 

 The Battle of the Little Bighorn: An Epic Cultures Clash

The fall of Custer and the 7th Cavalry in June 1876 left an immense and complex legacy for both the United States and Native Americans:

- For the US Army, it led to an intensive review of strategy, tactics, training, and equipment. But it also provoked brutal retaliation against the victorious tribes.

- For Native peoples, it was a high point of resistance on the Plains before increasing confinement to reservations like Pine Ridge and the ultimate loss of traditional homelands.

-For Custer, he became permanently enshrined as a heroic but polarizing figure. He inspired admiration for his boldness but criticisms of his arrogance.

- The Great Sioux War ended in Native American defeat within a year, but tribes like the Cheyenne continued episodic fighting into the 1880s.

- Possession of the Black Hills was secured by the US government through highly questionable legal maneuvers after 1877.

- Development of the National Park Service led to the preservation of the Little Bighorn battlefield from commercial exploitation.

- Debates continue over memorializing both sides while respecting Native American perspectives on a US Army defeat.
 

conclusion

Far more than a single battle, the traumatic events of the Little Bighorn in the summer of 1876 came to symbolize the wider struggles of an era over land, resources, and cultures. The victors shaped history, but on that day by the Little Bighorn River, Custer and the myth of American conquest met their end.

 

"History is etched with the blood of the fallen, and at Little Bighorn, it was written with a heavy heart."

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 When did the battle take place?

The main fighting occurred in the afternoon and evening of June 25, 1876. Reno and Benteen's forces were under siege overnight on June 25-26 until retreating on the morning of June 26.

 Where exactly was the battlefield located?

The fighting centered around the Little Bighorn River in present-day southeastern Montana, east of what is now the town of Crow Agency and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

How many US soldiers were killed?

Custer's five companies suffered about 268 killed, including Custer himself. Over 50 were wounded, including many who later died of injuries. Other deaths brought the total US loss to around 275-280.

How many Native American casualties were there?

Due to Native accounts being largely oral, estimates vary widely from as low as 36 to over 300 killed and wounded. Most modern estimates place the number under 100 based on archeological evidence.

 Who were the main Native American leaders?

The Lakota leaders Crazy Horse and Gall were the masterminds of the victory, with critical spiritual guidance from Sitting Bull. Other key leaders included Lame White Man, Two Moons, and Rain in the Face.  

 What were the main causes of Custer's defeat?

The divided tactics of his forces, underestimating the size of the Native village, breakdown of Reno's men, flaws of weaponry, exhaustion after long marches, and refusal to wait for reinforcements until engaging a fight he couldn't win.

When did the Great Sioux War end?

The large Native American victory at Little Bighorn accelerated Army campaigns that forced the Lakota and Cheyenne onto reservations by mid-1877, ending the Great Sioux War. Small-scale conflicts erupted until 1890.

 What happened to surviving participants after the battle?

Custer became a legend. Reno faced a court of inquiry. Lakota leaders like Crazy Horse surrendered within 1-2 years, while Sitting Bull was exiled to Canada before surrendering in 1881.

 How is the battlefield preserved today?

It was designated a National Cemetery in 1879 and a National Monument in 1946. The National Park Service protects the site and works with Native American tribes to interpret the history. Reenactments are held annually.