Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn: A Historical Tale

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was one of the most infamous battles in American history. It was fought on June 25, 1876, between the United States Army and a coalition of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Native Americans and the death of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and all of his men.

Background

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was the culmination of a series of events that began in 1874, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills were part of the Great Sioux Reservation, which had been established by the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. The discovery of gold led to an influx of white settlers into the Black Hills, and the Sioux people began to resist the encroachment on their land.

The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn

by Nathaniel Philbrick

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14891 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	743 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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In 1876, the United States government ordered the Sioux to return to the Great Sioux Reservation. The Sioux refused, and General George Crook was sent to lead an expedition to force them to comply. Crook's expedition was defeated at the Battle of the Rosebud on June 17, 1876.

After the Battle of the Rosebud, Custer's 7th Cavalry was sent to pursue the Sioux. Custer's men caught up with the Sioux at the Little Bighorn River on June 25, 1876.

The Battle

The Battle of the Little Bighorn began at around 2:00 pm. Custer's men attacked the Sioux village from three different directions. The Sioux warriors put up a fierce resistance, and Custer's men were quickly overwhelmed. Custer himself was killed in the battle, along with all of his men.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was a major defeat for the United States Army. It was the largest battle fought between the United States Army and Native Americans, and it resulted in the death of one of the most famous American military leaders of the 19th century.

Aftermath

The Battle of the Little Bighorn had a profound impact on the relationship between the United States and the Sioux people. The battle led to the end of the Great Sioux War and the establishment of the Black Hills as a permanent part of the United States.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn is also remembered as a symbol of the resistance of Native Americans to the encroachment of white settlers. The battle has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and documentaries, and it continues to be a source of fascination for historians and the general public.

Key Figures

George Armstrong Custer

George Armstrong Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, on December 5, 1839. He graduated from West Point in 1861 and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Custer was a brave and ambitious officer, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1863, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg.

After the Civil War, Custer was sent to the West to fight the Sioux and Cheyenne. He was a ruthless and effective commander, and he quickly earned a reputation for his brutality. Custer's most famous victory was the Battle of the Washita River in 1868, in which he massacred a village of Cheyenne Indians.

Custer's career came to an end at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was killed in the battle, along with all of his men. Custer's death was a major blow to the United States Army, and it marked the end of an era of American expansionism.

Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull was born in 1831 near the Grand River in South Dakota. He was a Lakota Sioux chief and medicine man who played a leading role in the resistance to the United States government. Sitting Bull was a skilled warrior and a gifted orator, and he quickly became a respected leader among the Sioux people.

Sitting Bull was a strong advocate for the preservation of the Sioux way of life. He opposed the government's efforts to force the Sioux onto reservations, and he led a number of raids against white settlers and soldiers. Sitting Bull's most famous victory was the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in which he defeated Custer's 7th Cavalry.

After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and his followers fled to Canada. They remained in Canada for several years, but they eventually surrendered to the United States government in 1881. Sitting Bull was imprisoned for two years, and he was then sent to live on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota.

Sitting Bull continued to be a vocal critic of the government's Indian policies. He died in 1890 during the Wounded Knee Massacre, which was a tragic event that marked the end of the American Indian Wars.

Legacy

The Battle of the Little Bighorn is a reminder of the complex and often tragic relationship between the United States and Native Americans. The battle has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and documentaries, and it continues to be a source of fascination for historians and the general public.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn is also a reminder of the courage and resilience of the Sioux people. Sitting Bull and his followers fought bravely against overwhelming odds, and they ultimately prevailed. The Battle of the Little Bighorn is a testament to the strength and determination of the Sioux people, and it is a story that continues to inspire people today.

The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn

by Nathaniel Philbrick

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14891 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	743 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE