Battle of the Little Bighorn, The Reno-Benteen Defense

This is the final episode of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which is part of the Sioux War Playlist. The focus of the video is on the Reno-Benteen defense, which is filled with heroism and also less than heroic behavior.

[hatuletoh]

One of the sergeants who testified at Reno's board of inquiry said that "if we'd been lead by braver men, we'd all be dead." I always loved that quote.

[ambroseperkins]

a moment of appreciation for this man, he has done his research properly before feeding this to the audience

[thwatergateplumber]

Most maps, and video on wars, civil, WW I, II, etc., are not so difficult to grasp but for some reason this is one of those battlefields that I really need to go see it to get some bearing on just where, how, who everything moved.

[shanemeyer]

My mom is full-blood Oglala Sioux. My Great Grandfather was Cheif Frank Fools Crow. His grandfather, or my Great Great Great Grandfather, Knife Chief, fought and killed soldiers in the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was also the first agent of the Pine Ridge Agency Indian Police.

[dsbmwhacker]

I grew up in the area. Wandered the Battlefield prior to it becoming a National Park. A friend had a Trapdoor rifle that his Grandfather picked up in the battlefield area a few years after the battle. In the mid 60's my friend and I located the garbage dump from old Fort Custer, abandoned in the 1890's. The old fort location was on another friend's property so we were given free reign to explore. We dug up a multitude of artifacts...bottles, buttons, spent / live cartridges, uniform scraps, boot scraps, dinnerware, and occasionally a "US" belt buckle. Sadly the dump site was obliterated in the 70's when a new road grade was established.

[johnday]

A man, born and bred in the same village as i was, Garsington, Oxfordshire, England, was with Major Reno on Reno hill during this battle. His
name was James Pym, and he was awarded the Medal of Honour for his courage in volunteering to cross open ground under heavy fire to the
creek to fetch water for his wounded and thirst maddened mates. He did this several times until he was wounded himself and could no longer
go.

[brianmccarthy]

In general a very well done video and an excellent addition to Custer and Little Bighorn Studies. My father was a history teacher and a lifelong student of the 19th Century American West, particularly this battle, and was a member of the Little Big Horn Society. I started going there on family vacations as a small child. My father had hundreds of books on the subject and over the years I read them all. My brother still preserves the library. I've walked and ridden the battlefield in July and August many times. I still learned rhings from this program. Thanks very much. I'm now subscribed with notifications and I'll view your other programs.

[nmelkhunter]

These are great videos. I visited Little Bighorn when I was in middle school. But, the more I read about it, and watch videos like this, the more I must go back since I have a much better appreciation of the importance of proper recon and communication in combat situations. Again, well done.

[H.pylori]

the youtube algorithm recommended this today. As a long, longtime student of the battle, I can say that this video (will find the others) is outstanding. Back when I started, we only had Brinninstool, Graham, Miller, Edgar I. Stewart, and a few others to form out database. Did not have the internet and especially google maps. Your video makes things so much more understandable. THANK YOU....GREAT WORK!!

[wolfpack]

These are great videos! I really like you showing the relevant terrain features. As I reflect on it, I have the sense that the possibility of defeat was nowhere in any of the Officers' mindset, and based on past engagements, where the enemy behavior was to run off, and Custer's modus operandi of splitting the force, hitting them from different directions at once, creating havoc in their ranks, I can see how Benteen was thinking Custer's force had simply ridden off in pursuit to exploit the situation and would return to their defensive perimeter. Very rarely had the Indians counterattacked with such determination and ferocity, in my opinion, and this was what led to Custer's defeat. It was like a landslide or tsunami that simply engulfed him before he could disengage. Custer became decisively engaged with a superior force, attacking from all sides and the matter went to a quick conclusion. Garry Owen!

[robertspecht]

Love the series you have done on all parts of the battle of the Little Big Horn, the Rose Bud Battle and the winter war. Learnt more than what Wyoming history classes taught, and from a military point of view. Most of all you have a easy listening voice. Thank you for your input and time😊.

[gcav]

I love this channel. Thank you.

I don't believe the Indian nations are given enough credit. They knew soldiers were looking for them. They spotted custers column before the fight and let the indians know. Cavalry were not hard to spot in the dusty lands of Montana back then. And not to tactful in the heat of the day.
Splitting his force and continuing to move after seeing the village, was a blunder. Pride has its costs. He should have sent scout and waited for Benteen to return. He should have waited for Terry also, as was his directive. But glory knows no bounds and Custer wanted it all.
I have been to the battlefield. And it's eerie to be there. I couldn't wear my cav stetson that day. I swear there were to many ghosts saying no. Anyway. Thanks again.

[williamsteele]

i don't think people know maybe not amongst us nerds that custers brother tom was not just a m o h awardee but a double winner of the m o h he was a good soldier under fire and fearless

[iainsmith]

Hello from sunny Warwickshire. Just to say excellent video. Seeing the actual ground is brilliant.

[adrianrichards]

As a Brit in the UK I have to say I really enjoyed your professional like you’ve got a convert in the UK .

[tomservo]

Shout out from another 1st AD veteran. Great videos. I like to defend Benteen. I think he just assumed it'd be another 'dazzling Custer victory' that would just lead to more newspaper headlines and more Custer myth. By all accounts he sounded like someone that was rather demoralized by Custer's ego and glory hunting (surrounding himself with family members and lackeys) with him as just a third wheel and outsider, having to answer to a boozed up Major Reno. When things got heavy this combat veteran regained his cool and kept the 7th from getting wiped out.

[somedudeinminnesota]

This is an excellent channel. I would love too see a episode on the Dakota war of 1862 in Minnesota. Keep posting man you deserve so many more subscribers.

[RoryCase]

1. Had the Indian agents reported the true number of those who had left the agencies that Spring it would have been valuable intel. Agents were reimbursed based upon numbers of Sioux present. There was a tendency, therefore, to inflate the numbers present at any time.
2. Had Crook reported his action on the Rosebud to Terry, this would provide invaluable intel.
A. The numbers of Sioux encountered on the Rosebud was far greater than expected.
B. Those encountered on the Rosebud fought very tenaciously rather than hit and run style.

[PatrickMJr]

My half sisters are the great grandaughters of Captain Reno, i remember meeting my sisters grandma and her showing us an old war chest full of native artifcats, including wedding regalia, cu sticks, and even a formal headdress... she told us they had been gifted but i believe i know how they really came into her possesion.. when she died she had it all donated to the local native council in Shawnee Oklahoma.

[kingmaker]

Dude. Your channel is amazing. I'm a British dude... and I'm hooked. Your videos are fascinating. Keep it up