The Battle of Little Bighorn: Custer's Troops Take to the Trail

The Story of the Battle: Causes of Warfare | The Expedition Against the Native Tribes | Native American Movements and Their First Conflict With the Troops | Custer's Troops Take to the Trail | Custer Divides His Command, and Reno Engages the Native Americans | Custer's Last Battle | Reno Battle Renewed by the Native Americans | The March of Generals Terry and Gibbon and Their Arrival at the Battleground | The Return to Bismarck | The Story of the Failed Attack Released |

General Custer had started up the Rosebud Creek with about 600 soldiers, 44 collaborating Native Americans Scouts, and 20 or more packers, guides, and civilians. They moved cautiously along the creek, crossing it several times as they sought the most advantageous marching and camping ground. The afternoon of the third day, June 24, the scouts reported that the Native American trail they were following turned abruptly to the right and went westward toward the Little Bighorn River Valley. They were then only about 8 miles from where the Native Americans had defeated Crook's forces on June 17, but having received no communication from General Crook, they had no knowledge of the battle. After darkness set in and the men and horses had rested, Custer broke camp and continued to follow the trail. During the night the cavalrymen moved several miles nearer the high divide between the Little Bighorn and Rosebud Valleys. Then they halted to await daylight so that a more careful reconnaissance of the surrounding country might be made.

At daybreak, from a high point on the divide, the scouts observed smoke in the Little Bighorn Valley, implying that the Native Americans were encamped there. This information was carried to Custer, but by the time he reached the point a haze, caused by the brilliance of the sun, obscured the view. Evidently, Custer was not entirely convinced as to the location of the Native Americans. On returning to camp, he was informed that the Native Americans had discovered their presence. He then called a conference of officers and to them he stated that his plan had been to rest a day in the hills and to make the attack early on the morning of the 26th as was previously outlined by General Terry. Their discovery by the Native Americans, however, altered the plan, and it now seemed urgent to attack at once. A delay until the next day might result in peaceful disengagement by Native Americans.