Batle of the Little Bighorn   He sent the first, under Major Reno down to the river to attack the Indians from the south. The second, under Capt. Benteen, to scout the ridges and then follow up slowly. Custer led the third battalion at a much faster rate, along the ridge on the east side of the river to a point north of the Indians, where he again split his 3rd battalion into two wings. The right wing commanded by Capt. Keogh, with about 120 men, remained on the top of the ridge, while Custer with about 85 men in his left wing rode down the ridge to the river to await the fleeing non-combatants that would be crossing his path. The plan worked to some extent, but Custer had badly estimated the strength of his adversary. Maj. Reno arrived at the south end of the village to find himself on the defensive as hundreds of Indians attacked his battalion. After a short stand, he retreated to his former position on the river bluffs. Capt. Benteen, following instructions, was moving North at a slower pace when he observed Maj. Reno’s column retreating up the hill under fire. Capt. Benteen turned and gave support to Maj. Reno, then joined in with the defense of the ridge.

At the onset, as expected, the non-combatants did cross Custer’s path, but in such number that he was unable to capture them. Custer retreated up the bluffs to cemetery ridge just under Custer hill to wait for Benteen’s reinforcements.

The Indians, having successfully terminated all advances by Maj. Reno and Capt. Benteen, and upon learning of more cavalry north of the village, withdrew to engaged Capt. Keogh’s right wing. 

   Batle of the Little Bighorn   If one is to believe Richard Fox’s technique of “firing pin signature analysis” on spent cartridges found at the scene. Capt. Keogh took up a skirmish line just south of Custer hill, on top of the bluffs. The Indians struck with such force that the line broke and the right wing ran for salvation with Custer. Salvation was not to be theirs. Of the estimated 120 men, only about 20 made it to Custer’s hill. Custer, realizing that the end was within minutes, as his 100 or so remaining men were cut down by an ever increasing Indian assault, is believed to have sent some 40 men running on foot toward the river as a diversion, while dispatching 9 horsemen to the south to get help from now overdue Capt. Benteen. Neither those on
foot or those on horseback survived. The horsemen were cut down in seconds. The make-shift infantry
, running as a diversion, were cut down as they ran. 28 survivors took cover in a nearby ravine where they watched Custer and the last remaining men on the hill meet their doom. It is not known who was the last soldier alive, but it is believed that he was one of the 28 men who died in that ravine. The final death toll was 210 calverrymen, civilians and scouts. Among the dead were both of Custer’s brothers and a nephew.

After the Indians withdrew from their assault on Maj. Reno and Capt. Benteen, The officers made one attempt to join up with Custer, moving about a mile and a half north before being turned back in heavy fighting. They now fortified the bluffs some 5 miles south and fought a gallant fight for the next two days. 58 men died, before the Indians, learning of a relief column approaching from the south, abandoned the attack and scattered in every direction. Although exonerated in a military inquiry, Maj. Reno’s failure to come to the rescue of the famous and flamboyant Lt. Col. Custer would haunt him to the end of his career. Within 4 years, most of the Indians involved were either captured, killed or had turned themselves in. A small band escaped to Canada. Both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were killed by Indian police while under arrest. . .

***THE END***

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