Battle Stack: Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer's last stand)

The battle of the Little Bighorn was fought in 1876 in the Montana territory. In 1874 Gold was discovered in the Black Hills which fell within the territory of the Sioux Reservation. A Government offer to buy the black hills was rejected, but prospectors began arriving. US soldiers were sent to attack any Natives not on the reservation. Sitting Bulls camp was by the Little Bighorn River, and not on the reservation, when it was spotted by US soldiers...what happened next? Find out in this animated tactics video!

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[ElCrab]

Custer had 647 soldiers, officers, and scouts. Approximately 175 went with Reno (including nearly all of the scouts, white and native), 115 with Benteen, 220 with Custer, and 140 with the pack train.

Crazy Horse did not attack from the behind of any of Custer’s position. Nor did he sweep from the north. Crazy Horse did cross the river ahead of Custer’s advance north from Medicine Tail Coulee/Nye-Cartwright Ridge, but somewhere between Calhoun Hill and Custer Hill. He went up the slope and crossed the ridge, taking up positions east of Company I, which was likely in a reserve posture but facing east. Crazy Horse then went on a “bravery run, ” cutting through gaps in the soldier lines (likely between L and I, possibly I and C as well), returning unharmed. He then stated he would do this again, but not return to the positions in the east. Warriors followed him, and it broke the soldier’s resolve. Most headed north toward Custer Hill, some tried to go to Company L to the south, and a few just ran any which way to escape. Attrition has whittled L down, and depending on your theory du jour, Company C was either split by platoons and one was extending L’s line onto Finley-Finckle Ridge, and another was with Company I.

Regardless, C-I-L was a bigger force than E-F, and it was shattered and destroyed. Perhaps 20 made it to Custer Hill out of 130, and the game was up.

[bplumb]

I was there yesterday. I spent 4 hours on the Hallowed ground of the Little Bighorn. From the details I saw and the walking of much of the area of the last stand plus driving to where Reno and Bennett were plus stopping at each plaque story board some of this short video doesn't fit. It truly is an amazing place. The desperate moment kept running through my mind when men realized they were Not going to make it must have been hard even for seasoned troops!

[EverettBaland]

These types of things in history are a worthwhile study. Some of us will be supportive of one side or the other and that has no importance, except to an individual. One can't change history. When someone has too much authority and acts improperly, they take others into their consequences. Keep studying. Neat are these animations.

[grandsonofsamnifdy]

Sitting Bull was murdered by collaborators doing the governments dirty work, not an uprising. The medicine man was targeted because the ghost dance worried the authorities.

[DeadPixel]

This 6 minute video is more detailed and accurate than a 45 minute BBC documentary I just watched about this same battle.
Well done!

[seandobson]

Custer's substansive rank at the Battle of Little Big Horn was Lieutenant Colonel, he was a brevet Major General but at the end of the civil war was returned to his substansive rank of Captain and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1866 to command the newly-formed 7th Cavalry Regiment.

[claud]

I agree with a lot of the comments below. Having researched this particular battle for decades I have waded through a lot of books and articles on the subject, none of which adequately abbreviated it while keeping it factual. When you deal with something as polarizing as this it is hard not to be swayed by all the personal observations that pass for facts. Thanks for being short and to the point!

[rfletch]

Great summing up! Right to the point.
As Custer said so eloquently, "There's just too many of them!"

[powwowcritic]

You'll have to visit where Custer attacked that hill has a blind spot he mistaken that the camp was small, but it went for miles

[SteveGee]

Extremely helpful animation . Reason: It has been difficult to understand exactly where, in relation to the river) the fighting took place. Well done.

[bigmansyndrome]

Yes! Another video! I've been waiting for one for ages. Your channel is sure to blow up if you consistently post this kind of content so keep it up.

[libtardloather]

Thats what happens when you underestimate your opponent!

[jeep]

Important fact, Custer gambled he could reach the village. The reason was he was after the women and children to use as shields. This is how he intended to get the warriors to quit fighting. What he did not know was that some river areas can not be crossed.

[palenik]

Nice! One of my relatives was part of the unit that secured the baggage train. He also fought at Mobil bay during the civil war

[johnbecay]

Jarod Smith, i agree, while necessarily not too detailed, it captures the main combatant movements and the urgency and desperateness of the soldiers. It is concise and accurate. It takes a British production company to capture one of America's greatest battles. thank you.

[billfariss]

Best animated version of this fight ever. I can finally understand the geographical layout of the battle

[malcolmc]

Not as accurate as it could be. The 7th cavalry totalled just over 600 men( in 12 companies( one company to guard the mule train, 3 companies with Benteen, 3 companies with Reno and the remaining 5 with Custer)) plus Indian scouts and some civilians( Mule wranglers, scouts, including his nephew). Custer did not try to support Reno, he detached two companies to guard his rear which was under attack. He then tried to cross the river with his remaining 3 companies but was beaten back and headed for high ground where his command was massacred.
He had sent a messanger to Benteen to "come quick and bring ammunition" but Benteen was slow to move forward and when he did was "driven" back to Reno's position( Benteen and Custer hated each other, Benteen blaming Custer, probably rightly, for the loss of a group of troops in a much earlier action).
It should also be pointed out that the 7th cavalry were not, as Hollywood portrays them expert marksmen and horsemen. Pay was pitiful( I think around $7 a month) and many were European immigrants with very little or no riding or shooting experience. The Indians were much better warriors and in some cases better armed with repeating rifles.

[csanders]

I have years of research into the battle. And, have tried to "view" it several ways. YOUR version is the best, the best. Thanks.

[jobfour]

Best illustration to date on who what where and how Custer got

[msjoanofthearc]

Brilliant, thank you for this wonderful analysis!