The Untold Story of the Victors of the Battle of Little Bighorn

The Battle of Little Bighorn, often referred to as Custer's Last Stand, is one of the most renowned conflicts in American history. It took place on June 25 and 26, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in present-day Montana. The battle was a significant turning point in the Native American struggle for independence against the encroachment of white settlers. While Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men may have gained infamy due to their defeat, the true victors of the Battle of Little Bighorn were the Native American warriors.

The Great Plains Tribes

Before delving into the victorious Native American warriors, it is essential to understand the tribes involved in the Battle of Little Bighorn. The Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes formed a united front against the encroaching U.S. Army led by Custer. These tribes inhabited the Great Plains and were known for their fierce resistance to colonization and their strong sense of cultural identity.

The Victors of the Battle of Little Bighorn: The Lives and Legacies of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1745 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	60 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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The Battle Begins

On the morning of June 25, 1876, Custer and his men, underestimating the strength of the Native American encampment, launched a hasty attack. Little did they know that they were about to face overwhelming numbers and an incredibly well-coordinated defensive strategy. Although Custer believed he was in pursuit of a small village, he was met with the full force of the united tribes.

The Native American Warriors

The Native American warriors fought with unparalleled bravery and skill. They utilized their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage, utilizing the cover of hills and ravines to launch surprise attacks on Custer's troops. Moreover, their use of superior intelligence-gathering strategies allowed them to anticipate the U.S. Army's movements and plan their attacks accordingly.

The Oglala Lakota Sioux, led by their esteemed war chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, emerged as pivotal figures in the battle. Sitting Bull's spiritual guidance united various tribes, whereas Crazy Horse's tactical brilliance ensured victory for his people. The courageous Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors, such as Chief Two Moon and Chief Little Wolf, proved their mettle by holding their ground against Custer's force.

Tactical Successes and Custer's Demise

The Native American warriors' tactics, including their use of decoy maneuvers, forced Custer to divide his troops into smaller units. This fragmentation weakened the U.S. Army's defensive line, making them susceptible to the warriors' fierce attacks. As the battle raged on, Custer and his men found themselves isolated and outnumbered. In the face of overwhelming opposition, Custer and his command ultimately met their tragic fate.

A Moment of Triumph and Continuing Resilience

For the Native Americans, the Battle of Little Bighorn was a moment of triumph, as they successfully defended their lands and preserved their way of life. However, it was not the end of their struggles. The victory at Little Bighorn acted as a catalyst, leading to increased military efforts against the tribes and ultimately shaping the fate of Native Americans throughout the late 19th century.

In , it is crucial to recognize the Native American warriors as the true victors of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Their bravery, strategic genius, and unwavering determination allowed them to overcome the odds and protect their ancestral lands. The battle serves as a constant reminder of the resilience and strength exhibited by indigenous people in the face of adversity.

The Victors of the Battle of Little Bighorn: The Lives and Legacies of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1745 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	60 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

*Includes pictures of Sitting Bull, depictions of Crazy Horse, and important people and places in their lives.
*Explains several Lakota oral legends, including the origins of the names Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse
*Explains the Battle of the Little Bighorn and their roles in it.
*Includes a Table of Contents.

"When I was a boy the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to battle. Where are the warriors today? Who slew them? Where are our lands? Who owns them? Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country?” – Sitting Bull

"Upon suffering beyond suffering: the Red Nation shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world. A world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations. A world longing for light again. I see a time of Seven Generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again.” – Crazy Horse

Like Geronimo in the Southwest during the same era, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were warriors and leaders of different groups of Lakota (Sioux) who fought in several skirmishes against settlers and U.S. forces across the Plains during the 1860s and 1870s. Admired by their own people for their kindness and strong leadership, reviled by their enemies for their defiance, when The Great Sioux War of 1876 began, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were two of the most important leaders among all Native American tribes on the Plains, and they were the ones to turn to for those who intended to keep fighting whites.

Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were hardly the only Native Americans fighting the U.S. Army at the time, but they became legends at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which an estimated 2,000 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by Crazy Horse and inspired by one of Sitting Bull's visions routed and then annihilated the 7th U.S. Cavalry led by George Custer. That disaster led the American government to double down on its efforts to “pacify” the Sioux, and by the end of the decade many of them had surrendered and been moved onto a reservation. Crazy Horse kept fighting for a year before surrendering, and Sitting Bull defiantly refused to surrender, instead heading with a smaller band into Canada and remaining exiled.

When they finally did surrender, and the threat they posed eliminated, Americans viewed the two Native Americans as celebrities. Sitting Bull even went on to appear in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show during the 1880s. However, the two Lakota leaders would be connected in one more way: death. The deaths of both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse took place on reservations and remain controversial to this day.

The Victors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn looks at the two most famous leaders of the Lakota and the victors at Little Bighorn, but it also humanizes the men who became two of the most famous symbols of defiance in American history. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse like you never have before.