Little Big Horn
Other Names: Custer's Last Stand
Date of Battle: June 25, 1876
Location of Battle: Crow Agency, MT
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Participants: Lt. Colonel George A Custer and the 7th Cavalry attack the largest Indian encampment of Sioux and Cheyennes the west had ever seen.
The entire 7th Cavalry left Crow’s Nest about noon with a 15 mile march to the Indian camp. Benteen went South into some very rough country to block an escape route to the south. Reno and Custer went down Reno Creek, followed by the slow pack train. Custer and Reno split at about 2:30 pm below the lone tepee. Reno and his men attacked the south end of village about 3:00 pm and saw Custer on the bluff above, watching the battle. Custer sent Martin, the trumpeter, with a message back to the pack train about 3:30 pm. Reno retreated to Reno Hill about 4:00 pm. because there were too many Indians for him to handle. Benteen meet Martin about 4:00 pm. and the pack train still hadn't got that far yet. Benteen reached Reno at Reno Hill about 4:30 and the pack train reached Reno Hill a little after 5:00 pm. The Indians say that the Custer Battle lasted about as long as it takes to eat a meal (15 to 30 minutes). 253 Soldiers and civilians were killed and the Indians lost about 40 warriors.
For more information see:
Battles and Skirmishes of the great Sioux War
Centennial Campaign
Custer's Luck
Encyclopedia of Indian Wars
The Fighting Cheyennes
Indian Wars of the Great Plains
Indian Fights and Fighters
Indian Wars of the West
The Sioux Indian Wars
Traveler's Guide to the Great Sioux War
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