Battle of the Little Bighorn

June 25, 1876 – General George A. Custer, leading 250 men, attacked an encampment of Sioux Indians near Little Bighorn River in Montana.

Custer and his men were then attacked by 2000-4000 Indian braves. Only one scout and a single horse survived ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ on the Little Bighorn Battlefield.

News of the humiliating defeat infuriated Americans and led to all-out war. Within a year, the Sioux Indians were a broken and defeated nation.

Citation Information

Article Title Battle of the Little Bighorn

Author History.com Editors

Website Name HISTORY

URL https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-little-bighorn

Date Accessed June 24, 2023

Publisher A&E Television Networks

Last Updated July 1, 2022 Original Published Date November 24, 2009

Citation Information

Article Title What Really Happened at the Battle of the Little Bighorn?

Background to the Battle of the Little Bighorn 

The U.S. Army dispatched three columns of soldiers, including Custer and his 7th Cavalry, to round up Indigenous people and return them to their reservations.

The plan was for Custer’s cavalry and Brigadier General Alfred Terry’s infantry to rendezvous with troops under the command of Colonel John Gibbon and Brigadier General George Crook. They’d then find the Native Americans, surround them and force their surrender.

Crook was delayed but Terry, Custer and Gibbon met-up in mid-June and after a scouting party found a trail headed toward Little Big Horn Valley, they decided Custer should move in, surround the tribes and await reinforcements.

Custer forged ahead but things didn’t go as planned. Around midday on June 25, his scouts located Sitting Bull’s camp. Instead of waiting for reinforcements, however, Custer planned a surprise attack for the next day. He moved it up when he thought the Native American forces had discovered his position.

Author Annette McDermottWebsite Name HISTORY

URL https://www.history.com/news/little-bighorn-battle-facts-causes

Date Accessed June 24, 2023

Publisher A&E Television Networks

Last updated June 20, 2023

Original Published Date February 27, 2018