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Nakoma Blackfeather

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Nakoma Blackfeather

April 21, 2026 2:52 pm

Battle Of The Little Bighorn | Custer's Last Stand | Sitting Bull And Crazy Horse Fought on June 25, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in Montana, this historic clash—known to the Lakota and other ... View MoreBattle Of The Little Bighorn | Custer's Last Stand | Sitting Bull And Crazy Horse Fought on June 25, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in Montana, this historic clash—known to the Lakota and other Plains natives as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, and commonly referred to as Custer's Last Stand—was a defining moment of the Great Sioux War. It pitted the combined forces of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. The encounter resulted in a major and decisive victory for the Native American forces. The Build-Up to Conflict The Great Plains remained one of the final Native American strongholds as westward expansion accelerated after the Civil War. As available land further east became scarcer, the US government increasingly sought to claim the Plains for building railroads and offering settlers favorable deals on land. By the late 1860s, a large portion of Native Americans had been moved onto designated reservations. Committed to preserving their ancestral way of life and avoiding confinement, the Plains natives prepared for a resolute holdout. Tensions reached a boiling point when the government allowed commercial hunters to heavily deplete the vast buffalo herds to clear the way for railroad tracks. The buffalo were the center of the Plains natives' livelihood, providing food, shelter, and clothing. This intentional depletion directly threatened their survival, leading to escalating conflicts between the indigenous tribes, incoming settlers, and railroad workers. The Black Hills Dispute Lieutenant Colonel Custer arrived in the West in 1866. He quickly realized the Plains natives fought a highly mobile and terrain-savvy campaign, very different from traditional military engagements he was used to. In 1868, the US government signed a treaty firmly recognizing South Dakota’s Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation. However, an 1874 expedition led by Custer discovered gold in these hills. Recognizing the land as the rightful property of the Sioux Nation, the United States attempted to purchase the territory. The Sioux, viewing the Black Hills as deeply sacred ground, absolutely refused to sell. In response, Custer was tasked with relocating all natives in the surrounding area to reservations by January 31, 1876. Those who did not comply were deemed hostile. The Great Gathering & The Sun Dance Instead of submitting to the order, many left their reservations, traveling to Montana to join forces with prominent leaders Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Thousands gathered on the banks of the Little Bighorn River, creating one of the largest encampments ever seen on the Plains. The massive group consisted of at least six or seven close camps. There were an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people present, with roughly a third being men of fighting age, well-armed with repeating rifles, bows, and tomahawks. Before the battle, Sitting Bull performed the Sun Dance, a highly sacred Native ritual. Seeking spiritual guidance for his people, he engaged in a rigorous ceremony of endurance and sacrifice. After two days, Sitting Bull experienced a powerful vision predicting a major victory. However, his vision came with a strict warning: no spoils were to be taken from the fallen soldiers, lest great hardship follow. His accurate visions heavily boosted the morale of the gathered warriors. The Battle Commences The US Army dispatched three columns to intercept the tribes. General Alfred Terry, Colonel John Gibbon, and Custer met in mid-June. After scouts located a native trail heading toward the Little Bighorn Valley, Custer was ordered to surround the camp and await reinforcements. Instead of waiting, Custer planned a surprise advance on June 25th. He divided his 600-plus men into four groups. Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen were sent to advance from the south and scout the southwest, while Custer took 210 men to strike from the north. Reno’s forces engaged first but were quickly surprised by the fiercely organized resistance. Reinforced by Crazy Horse, the native warriors vastly outnumbered Reno’s men, forcing a rapid retreat up what is now known as Reno Hill. Custer’s Final Stand Meanwhile, Custer moved north to find a river crossing. Hearing the fierce exchange, Benteen’s troops rushed to join Reno. At this exact moment, native forces, fearing a secondary attack from the north, redirected their massive numbers. Led by prominent figures like White Thunder and Crazy Horse, the warriors successfully encircled Custer’s advancing troops from the tall grass. Outmaneuvered and completely surrounded, Custer ordered his men into defensive positions. The native warriors overwhelmed the soldiers' lines with sheer numbers and tactical speed. Custer's troops dismounted, attempting to use their horses for cover, but the situation was insurmountable. Custer and every man in his immediate battalion were defeated in the decisive clash. Reno and Benteen’s forces, fortified on the distant hill, witnessed the immense movement of native warriors and held a circular defensive line. They fought intensely until General Terry’s reinforcements finally arrived. Outnumbered by the new troops, the native forces packed up their camps and retreated. At the end of the conflict, the US Army had lost approximately 280 soldiers, while native losses numbered around 160. It remains the most historically significant Native American victory of the Great Sioux War.

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Mark l gover

Government is still the problem today.

1 April 21, 2026

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