The Battle of the Little Bighornby Alex Breeden

•

Objective

• To inform the reader about the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

• To educate about General Custer and what happened leading up to the war.

• To tell you the number of natives and number of soldiers who fought.

• My opinion on whether or not, the war was worth fighting.

War Background

• The year is 1876 in the Montana territory.

• Custer and his 7th cavalry strike the Sioux and Cheyenne Indian camp on June 25th.

• Custer has orders to round up the Native Americans in this area to place them on reservations.

Custer’s Early life• George Armstrong Custer is his

full name but he is more commonly known as General Custer.

• He was born in New Rumley, Ohio and graduated last in his class at the U.S Military Academy.

• Soon, Custer surpassed his colleagues in the Civil War. Custer rose through the ranks and found himself at General.

• After the Civil War the very proud war hero headed to the west to round up Native Americans into reservations.

The BattleJune 1876

Early morning June 25th, Custer’s scouts found a huge force of approximately 2,000 natives. Instead of consulting with his commander (Alfred Terry) he charged the camp which led to his death and most of his regiment.

On that day Custer split his regiment into three troops.

The first troop was lead and commanded by Major Marcus Reno. His troop was ordered to attack the village by crossing the river.

Another troop was lead by Captain Frederick Benteen. His troop’s task was to prevent the Native Americans from escaping.

The final troop was lead by none other than General George Custer. His troop went north to attack from a weak point.

In less than one hour, Custer’s entire troop was wiped out. Benteen’s troop was killed off and the only survivors joined up with Reno where they waited for help.

The Result

• As a result to Custer’s poor decision making, the Sioux and Cheyenne defeated the 7th cavalry regiment and the camp proceeded to pack up and leave the area.

• Alfred Terry was the man behind the attack, his men showed up 6 days later to find the few survivors of Reno’s forces.

Warriors vs. Soldiers

Sioux and Cheyenne• The Native Americans

had roughly 2,000 warriors.

• Weapons consisted of bows arrows, spears, hatchets and the occasional rifle.

• Death toll was approximately 40.

7th Cavalry • 650 soldiers and

scouts• Weapons include

rifless. and pistol • Death toll was about

half of the original regiment, including all of the men Custer led.

The Controversy

• After the battle Americans found it hard to believe that their beloved war hero was killed by Indians.

• Custer’s enemies said that Custer had disobeyed orders by not waiting for the larger body of soldiers to arrive.

The Flip Side

• Custer’s supporters argue that it is Reno who is to blame for the death of General Custer. They say that if Reno had stayed and fought that it would have been enough support to keep Custer alive.

Was it Worth It?

• Going into the Battle of the Little Bighorn was not worth it for the 7th cavalry regiment.

• Custer was already a war legend and did not need to do this.

• This was also a devastating blow to the U.S citizens because their hero was killed.

Credits

• David Breeden (My father and former history teacher)

• Library book on the Battle of the Little Bighorn

• Wiki on the Battle of the Little Bighorn

• World Book Encyclopedia• Images courtesy of Google Images