Understanding The Battle Of Little Bighorn

By Tammie Caldwell


American soil has experienced some of the greatest wars in history and some were won while others were lost in bloody battles characterized by several casualties. The battle of Little Bighorn is one such engagement that was lost utterly. The battle is currently known by various names including Battle of Greasy Grass and Custer Last Stand. The engagement involved the seventh Cavalry regiment of the American Army and united Native American tribes.

Little Bighorn River was the place where the battle happened in June 25th and 26th, 1976. Little Bighorn River is on the eastern side of what used to be the territory of Montana. This was the most prominent action of all actions in the Great Sioux War. The skirmish which began as a series of conflicts ended into a full blown Sioux War. This war was triggered by the encroaching settlers into the Native Indian-inhabited Great Plains.

The settlers caused Native Americans to be forced to move to ever reducing reservations. Whereas a majority of Native American accepted to relocate, others declined and decided to form a resistance to oppose the initiative. An alliance between Lakota and Cheyenne tribes was formed under the leadership of Sitting Bull. The alliance was called Sun Dance. Several thousand Indians who had initially accepted to relocate joined the alliance and a big army was formed.

This war involved many war leaders from the Indian tribes including Chief Gall and Crazy Horse. On the side of US Army soldiers, George Custer, who was in control of the whole seventh Cavalry Regiment was killed along with several prominent officers in the war. The war culminated into great success for the united Indian tribes as the American forces were thwarted and utterly destroyed.

Little is known about what really happened during the battle. The little that has been discovered so far is hugely arguable. Estimates place the number of casualties at fifty five soldiers injured and 268 dead. Many US superior officers who led the engagement died and hence the huge gap in facts about it. Native Americans have also been giving contradicting facts and accounts of the war.

The commanding officer, George Custer has received criticism for several errors and miscalculations. He overrated his forces against the enemy and refused to accept Gatling guns for to reinforce his troops. His decision to divide his forces into three units made it easier to defeat too. Generally speaking, huge false assumptions characterized the engagement and destined it for certain loss on the side of the American forces.

The place where the engagement occurred has been turned into a national monument. Soldiers who fell on the battlefield were reburied in a mass grave at the site. Various artists have featured the engagement in various artistic works like video games, music, radio programs, paintings, , TV shows, and film.

Reconstruction of the seventh Cavalry regiment has been done since the war. Positions have been filled. The Indian resistance has also been thwarted and restricted to reservations. Some historians have praised Custer for his actions and decisions in the engagement.




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