What Happened At The Battle Of The Little Bighorn

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The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand, remains one of the most iconic and controversial events in American history. What Happened At The Battle Of The Little Bighorn, on June 25-26, 1876, was a crushing defeat for the U.S. Army, resulting in the death of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and hundreds of his men. This article will delve into the events leading up to the battle, the engagement itself, and the aftermath that shaped the narrative for generations.

The Clash of Cultures and the Road to Little Bighorn

The seeds of conflict were sown long before the first shots were fired at the Little Bighorn. The U.S. government’s expansionist policies, coupled with the discovery of gold in the Black Hills – a sacred area for the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes – fueled tensions. Treaties were broken, promises were ignored, and the tribes, led by prominent figures like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, refused to be confined to reservations. The government’s determination to force these tribes onto reservations ultimately set the stage for a confrontation.

In the spring of 1876, the U.S. Army launched a three-pronged offensive against the “hostile” tribes. General George Crook’s column was repulsed at the Battle of the Rosebud, leaving Custer’s 7th Cavalry and Colonel John Gibbon’s Montana Column to continue the pursuit. Custer, known for his ambition and eagerness for glory, pushed ahead, eager to engage the Native Americans before Gibbon could arrive. His scouts warned him of the size of the Indian village, but Custer, perhaps blinded by overconfidence and a desire for a decisive victory, chose to ignore them. The troop strength was approximately:

• 7th Cavalry Regiment: Around 600
• Native American Warriors: Estimates vary wildly, from 1,500 to over 3,000

Custer divided his forces into three battalions: one led by himself, one by Major Marcus Reno, and one by Captain Frederick Benteen. His plan was to surround the village and prevent the Native Americans from escaping, but this plan quickly fell apart due to underestimated numbers and fierce resistance. A small table depicting the leaders of that day is shown below:

To understand more about Custer’s fateful decision-making process, please refer to the historical records compiled by the National Archives and Records Administration.