Custer's Last Stand | Part 8 | The Final Showdown

What happened between the moment that George A. Custer dispatched a trumpeter with his famous final plea for back-up, and the gruesome discovery of his forces at the Little Bighorn? Certainly, the morning of the 26th of June 1876 found the overwhelmed Major Reno and what remained of his men, along with Captain Benteen, gathered atop a hill, bloody, dehydrated, surrounding by putrefying corpses, and mystified as to the whereabouts of Custer. And the nightmarish ordeal of Reno's clash with the Lakota and their allies was not yet over. Gunfire, carbines and the whiz of arrows echoed in the distance, while below them fearsome Lakota warriors were unnervingly draped in the bloodied jackets and hats of Custer’s 7th Cavalry. Finally, at 3pm, the vast encampment of Lakota began moving off, and at dawn the next day they glimpsed a dust cloud in the distance: reinforcements at last. What they saw upon finally descending the hill, was a scene of such horror, that it would resound through the ages…

Join Dominic and Tom as they describe, moment by moment, the events of George Custer’s electrifying last stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and its aftermath. What really happened, and what became of Custer, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull? Above all, who was to blame for the events of that shocking day?

Intro 0:00
Recap 0:09
Did Benteen make a mistake? 01:39
How long did
Custer live for? 7:27
Where is Custer? 10:57
The Arrival of
General Terry 17:31
Finding Custer 20:54
What Happened to Custer 22:36
The Topography
of The Battle 28:07
Custer's Strategy 29:27
What Was Crazy Horse Doing? 35:19
Are There Any Survivors? 43:29
How Everyone Found Out About The Battle 45:26
Who's To Blame? 47:47

Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
@holland_tom
@dcsandbrook

Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

[jaycarl]

As a native Califorian I just found out that I love hearing US history from the mouths of 2 Englishmen. They are serious about the subject matter but not so serious as to be dull and boring. Their humor and wit are just enough to entertain you and keep you chuckling. Just found this channel and will be here to stay.

[willt]

Best single quote I’ve heard from a survivor “If we’d been led by braver men, we’d all been killed”

[grahamwritesagain]

I wish many more people hear about Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland. These guys are the most watchable historians on YouTube--knowledgeable, insightful, good-natured and fair. Loved this absorbing 8-part series on the Battle of Little Bighorn and watched some episodes two or three times. Not just for the light shed on the personalities and motives of the men who fought there--Custer, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Gall, Reno and Benteen--but also for the analysis of background events in the Grant administration that brought them together in that remote spot in southeastern Montana on Sunday, June 25, 1876. I must confess I also thoroughly enjoyed the droll character sketches of George Crook and Alfred Howe Terry. Great stuff, gentlemen. I wish your channel all success.

[Douglas.Scott.McCarron]

Who was to blame? Well, the Indians of course. They beat Custer. It wasn't that Reno and Benteen failed, it was that the Indians succeeded.

[Aspen]

The thing I think people forget regarding the Springfield trap door rifles is that, yes they were single shots, but they shot the 45-70 cartridge. Even today that cartridge is held in high regards by hunters. It was a better and more powerful long range cartridge than the Winchesters and Henry’s which shot the weaker 44 rim fired and the 44-40s. If you could keep the fire up from a skirmish line and keep an enemy at a distance the Springfields would have had the advantage of being better at long distance.

But if troopers were exposed in the open while warriors could storm and close the distance or use ravines to conceal their movement while they closed the distance under full cover protected from the cavalry’s fire, the weakness of the Winchesters and Henry’s cartridges would have been negated, their shorter range disadvantage being replaced by the great advantage of being repeater rifles. At shorter distances there was no comparison.

[eshaibraheem]

I enjoy all your podcasts, but the episodes on the Little Big Horn had me riveted throughout. What characters! And how you brought them vividly to life. Well done, and very many thanks.

[markholle]

Growing up less than 60 miles away from the Little Bighorn Battlefield, I too was fascinated with the stories of what happened on that fateful day. I read every book I could get my hands on and spent many time at cemetery as my uncle was buried there (and eventually my grandparents). As you mentioned, the irony of the Native Americans and Sitting Bull's great victory meant their future defeat was near. But if you go to the battlefield today, you will see something that was not there where I was a kid. It is the honor that is given to the Native warriors who won that day, not just Custer and the 13th Cavalry. You will also see the hope that we can live with each other, sharing Montana.

[jamesb]

A couple of comment that clarify some things.
1. The expedition plan was a three prog advance to pen in the tribes and escort them back to the reservation. Custer and Reno were at the briefing so at least Reno knew the plan. Custer's orders were to join up with General Terry on the Big Horn River a few miles from Reno Hill on June 27th. IF Custer's 7th had moved the standard distances normal for the heat and terrain, he would have reached the rendezvous on the evening of the 26th. Instead, Custer lead forced marches to get there early on the 25th including marching nearly all night on the 24th/25th. Why?
2. Every survivor said the same thing, the horses were exhausted when they arrived at the Little Big Horn. They rested on a short time with minimal water for the horses. By the time the battle was engaged, the horses no longer could gallop. The field was large and sprawling. what was a distance of over 3 miles as the crow flies between Reno and Custer was in reality closer to 7 on good riding terrain. In that era, a mile of distance is more like 10 to us. By the time the message arrived telling Benteen to hurry forward, it was in reality too late because the horses could not move fast enough.
3. Civilians think all rifles sound the same, but the truth is an experienced trooper could tell the difference. They knew the Indians had many repeaters because of the sounds. It also is very important to realize they also knew the repeaters in the hands of good rifleman had twice the effective range of the single shot carbines which were left over and out of date Civil War weapons. The Indian tactics had their riflemen pinning down the troopers while others crept forward and used arrows as indirect fire on Calhoun Hill and Last Stand Hill. The tactic did not work as well on Reno's hill because the terrain was different (few ravines) and the men built and dug rough rifle pits. The low Indian losses reflect this.
4. Before leaving for the Big Horn campaign, Custer met with representatives of the Democrat party about running for President. Notes survived from the meeting and Custer understood he needed to claim the victory and the glory to get the nomination. That quest explains the forced marches and not waiting per orders. Custer himself had only two tactics. Charge blindly or in the West take hostages. During the Civil war his units had the highest losses in the entire US army. What people ignore is sending in Reno would have been a tactic for Reno to draw off the warriors while he rode around and seized the women and Children as hostages, something he did before. It explains the report of observing Reno's attack falter, but he continued on to grab hostages. Initial reports in the Army show utter disgust at Custer and put the blame on him. The shift to Benteen and Reno was a direct result of Custer's Widow launching what is effectively a propaganda campaign. It worked because the Indian wars were slowly coming to an end and the Army was afraid to fight back when budgets were being cut. Custer's widow came from a prominent family with connections which also was a factor. And it was the beginning of the period known as "yellow journalism" with everyone writing outlandish tales to sell cheap papers and books.

The fault lies on Custer's shoulders, period. Reno's attack never had a chance with tired men and horses across rough terrain. Benteen never had enough men to make a difference to Custer and he made the correct decision. Custer divided up his forces with no regard to reality, and he had an agenda for a glorious victory. You also failed to mention Custer's chest wound was not fatal. The bullet to the temple was and there were gun powder burns indicating suicide.

[bymattreynolds]

Found Dominic and Tom last year while absorbing all I could about the fall of the Aztecs. Of course, I stumbled upon their epic series on the fall of the Me-shee-ka. I became a subscriber after the first episode, and I must say it’s probably the best investment I’ve ever made entertainment wise. As an American, I learned more about Custer and his final days through this series than my previous 40 years in the states. So informative, gripping, hilarious at times, and haunting. A true masterpiece of storytelling. But it’s like this with all subjects these gentlemen dive into. I look forward in anticipation to every time Theo drops a new gem. I’ve also recently read Tom’s Rubicon and have three of Dom’s Adventure in Time books on the way for me and kiddos. Thanks for all that you do fellas.

[minerva]

I cant wait for the new episodes on WW1 and Franz ferdinand to be uploaded, listened to the first ep and found out you were on location so patiently waiting for hopefully a video version :)

[geoffreydron]

What might be an interesting counterpoint to the US Army’s experience at Little Bighorn is the British Army’s experience in South Africa only three years later. In January 1879, a British expeditionary force under Lord Chelmsford was surprised by a massive assault by Zulu impis at Isandlwana. Utilising their hallmark tactic of head, horns, and loins formation, the estimated 15, 000 Zulu warriors attacked a British column of over 1, 800 men, putting them to rout and killing more than 1, 300.

However, at the nearby outpost of Rorke’s Drift, a mere 139 British troops held out successfully against successive assaults by a force of approximately 4, 500 Zulu warriors, inflicting severe casualties on the native attackers. In this engagement, the 24th Foot suffered but 17 men killed in action and ten wounded, while the Zulu attackers are believed to have lost more than 500 men.

Thus Reno’s Hill and Rorke’s Drift may provide instructive counterpoints to Last Stand Hill and Isandlwana. In combat, discipline, firepower, and intelligent leadership proved to be the trump card.

[sartanawillpay]

There was no way the Lakota and Cheyenne were going to do a Zulu-like charge against Reno and Benteen's 350 troops who were dug in and pretty concentrated. They lacked the discipline to take the sort of casualties they would incur overrunning the position, casualties they could not readily replace as a people.Furthermore, by keeping the survivors of the 7th pinned down the Lakota achieved their goal of protecting the village. When Terry approached they sensibly rode off.

[MaShcode]

Having visited the battle site in Montana my first reaction was that the area is quite confined considering the geography and it would’ve been fairly easy for Custer, Benteen and Reno to ascertain the number of Sioux, Cheyanne, etc warriors they were up against and wait at a distance for reinforcements. Clearly arrogance was at the core of this “blunder”.

[martybaggenmusic]

If you get an invitation to a party and these two guys are going to be GO! Entertaining, informative.... wonderful.

[JonathanSparks-htvq]

In my opinion. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull are some of the best American military generals that rank right up there with Grant, Patton and Eisenhower. It’s a shame that they don’t get the recognition they truly deserve.

[LisaBush-pxwt]

❤you guys! You covered one of my favorite stories so well. I really enjoyed your point of view. Will be listening more. ❤ from Alabama USA

[billschofield]

Why do they blame Reno Benteen Custer divided his forces all for the glory he would get instead of he was responsible for the death of 3-4 companies

[johnnydavis]

Good to recognize the unique achievements of the Indians in this campaign. The Indians had never put together such force before and properly handled it.

[carveraugustus]

Absolutely fantastic series. You remind me of and then I bought the Custer archaeology book.

I also quite liked your epic series on Cortes and Montezuma and the fall of his empire.

[raymoose]

That was great historic coverage! I quickly learned that the Indian leaders had a clear strategy. Custer on the other hand was very aware of the times that R.E Lee and Stonewall Jackson split up their forces and were successful in doing it. Yet the lesson that he should have learned from them is the fact that they didn’t have an ego problem with slipping out of an area at night when they knew they were outnumbered. The Indian scouts had to know those numbers. Sometimes when the ego rules intelligence drools.