THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN
The battle of Little Big Horn took part on the 25:th of June 1876.
In the south of Montana on the banks of the Little Big Horn River stood the most well-known battle ever, between Americas Native people and the United States army, about which much has been written. General Alfred Terry did split up the 650 soldiers in the 7:th cavalry into 3 batallions, under the lead of : Major Reno, Captain Benteen and Lieutenant Colonel Custer in the campaign that the army operated against the plains indians. The mission of the 7:th cavallry was to track and capture or exterminate the indians who still made resistance to live in peace on the earmarked reservations.
Custers indian scouts had found a giant indian camp, but Custer ignored the reports from his scouts, who said they´ve seen a giant Sioux and Cheyenne camp. On the banks of the Little Big Horn River was the largest concentration of indians in the history. Approximately between 10-15000 people and with more than 2500 warriors. Present were Cheyenne, Sans Arcs, Miniconjou Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Blackfeet and Hunkpapa Sioux.
Captain Benteen and his cavallry was sent to the west to cut off the indians retreat to the south, and Major Reno was supposed to cross the river and attack the southern part of the camp, while Custer should support Reno, but Custer decided later to attack the center of the camp with his cavallry. Major Reno did never manage to attack the village as he understood that the indians had lured him into a trap. He ordered his cavallry to sit off and take a defensive role instead of making an offensive attack that Custer had ordered them to. Reno´s cavallry was attacked very hard, but managed to keep a temporary resistance. Benteen who realized he was "on a fools mission" returned and found Major Reno's men in a desperat fight. Neither Benteen or Reno could understand why Custer's cavallry never came to support them as they had planned. Reno and Benteen managed to keep resistance for 3 hours until the evening came.
4 miles up the river from Reno, Custer took his men down to the Little Big Horn River. The Indians swarmed from all directions and came riding across the river. Custer never reached the river as he was forced to retire to a higher position. The Sioux chief Gall attacked Custer from behind while Crazy Horse attacked from the front. All Custer´s 197 men on the ridge were killed that day in less than 20 minutes.
The day after both Benteens and Renos men were attacked again. It was not until noon as the indians disapperad. On the 27:th of June General Terry and his cavallry found Custer and his men on the ridge. The only survived was Captain Keogh's horse Comanche who was badly hurt. Dead and wounded after the battle were: Custer's cavallry 197 men dead. From Major Reno's 134 men; 36 dead and 26 wounded. From Captain Benteen's 125 men; 11 dead and 29 wounded. How many indians who died in the battle is unknown as they took care of their dead people before they left and moved the camp.
Though this was the greatest loss for the United States Army against indians, this battle became the beginning of the end to the plains indians. In Washington the hate increased against indians after they´ve heard of the battle and great resources were put in to defend all "free" indians and put them on reservations.
Custers indian scouts had found a giant indian camp, but Custer ignored the reports from his scouts, who said they´ve seen a giant Sioux and Cheyenne camp. On the banks of the Little Big Horn River was the largest concentration of indians in the history. Approximately between 10-15000 people and with more than 2500 warriors. Present were Cheyenne, Sans Arcs, Miniconjou Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Blackfeet and Hunkpapa Sioux.
Captain Benteen and his cavallry was sent to the west to cut off the indians retreat to the south, and Major Reno was supposed to cross the river and attack the southern part of the camp, while Custer should support Reno, but Custer decided later to attack the center of the camp with his cavallry. Major Reno did never manage to attack the village as he understood that the indians had lured him into a trap. He ordered his cavallry to sit off and take a defensive role instead of making an offensive attack that Custer had ordered them to. Reno´s cavallry was attacked very hard, but managed to keep a temporary resistance. Benteen who realized he was "on a fools mission" returned and found Major Reno's men in a desperat fight. Neither Benteen or Reno could understand why Custer's cavallry never came to support them as they had planned. Reno and Benteen managed to keep resistance for 3 hours until the evening came.
4 miles up the river from Reno, Custer took his men down to the Little Big Horn River. The Indians swarmed from all directions and came riding across the river. Custer never reached the river as he was forced to retire to a higher position. The Sioux chief Gall attacked Custer from behind while Crazy Horse attacked from the front. All Custer´s 197 men on the ridge were killed that day in less than 20 minutes.
The day after both Benteens and Renos men were attacked again. It was not until noon as the indians disapperad. On the 27:th of June General Terry and his cavallry found Custer and his men on the ridge. The only survived was Captain Keogh's horse Comanche who was badly hurt. Dead and wounded after the battle were: Custer's cavallry 197 men dead. From Major Reno's 134 men; 36 dead and 26 wounded. From Captain Benteen's 125 men; 11 dead and 29 wounded. How many indians who died in the battle is unknown as they took care of their dead people before they left and moved the camp.
Though this was the greatest loss for the United States Army against indians, this battle became the beginning of the end to the plains indians. In Washington the hate increased against indians after they´ve heard of the battle and great resources were put in to defend all "free" indians and put them on reservations.
The most important Sioux people who participated in the battle of Little Big Horn 1876 according to Indian sources.
White Buffalo (Tatanka Ska) made a list over the Sioux people who died in the battle of Little Big Horn. He then lived until he was 80 years old on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Here is the list:
Bad-Light-Hair
Bear-With-Horn
Black Fox
Black Wasichu
warrior and brother to Chase-in-the-Morning, and cousin to Black Elk; was shot in the battle hanging on the side of his horse. He died in the camp the night after.
Chased-by-Owls
Cloud Man
Dog's-Back-Bone
Dog-With-Horns
Elk Bear
Flying By
Guts (or Open Belly)
Hawk Man
High Eagle
Sioux chief over "the great council lodge".
High Elk
Sans Arc chief killed by Reno's men.
Kills Him
Left-Handed-Ice
Lone Dog
young Sans Arc. He had together with Two Bear, who was killed by Reno's scouts right before the attack, gone away to pick up his horse. Lone Dog fled to the camp to warn everyone just as Reno's men opened fire against the camp.
Long Robe
Mustache
Owns-Red-Horse
Plenty Lice
Red Face
Standing Elk
Swift Bear
Swift Cloud
Two Bears
Three Bears
died in the camp on the 27:th of June the day after the battle.
White Eagle
Young Bear
Young Black Moon
warrior and leader of the attacks on Reno.
Young Skunk
Other "important" Sioux people who participated according to Indian sources.
American Horse (Wasico Tasunke)
Oglala chief and leader for the Bear People band, son of Sitting Bear. Not to be mistaken for the older American Horse who died in the battle of Slim Buttes 1876.
Bad Soup (or Bad Juice)
who had been with the 7:th cavallry at Fort Lincoln, and who pointed out Custer's body to White Bull.
Big Elk (Un-pan Tan-ka)
Oglala chief who took part in a smaller group fighting very close to Custer's last position.
Big Leggins
halfblood Sioux who could read figures and who identified the soldiers they had fought against as the 7:th cavallry.
Big Nose
Big Road
Oglala war chief.
Black Elk
Oglala born in 1863 and son of the older Black Elk. As a young kid he took 2 scalpes from dying soldiers and together with other boys he shot arrows on dying soldiers on the battlefield.
Black Moon
Hunkpapa war chief who was one of the leading indians in the fights.
Brings Plenty
killed a soldier with his warclub.
Comes Again
Crazy Heart
Minneconju warrior and son of chief Lame Deer; was honored as a carrier of the shirt in the fight with Custer.
Crazy Horse (Tashunka Witko)
one of the main leaders at Little Big Horn.
Crow Dog
Brule warrior who captured 3 horses from soldiers during the Custer fight. He took the horses to his tipi on the other side of the river. As he returned Custer and his men were already dead.
Crow King
Hunkpapa war chief who lead 80 warriors in the fights. 2 of his brothers died.
Elk Nation
He saved his friend Little Bear, when his horse had been shot under him.
Feather Earring
Minneconjou warrior who took part in the fights against Reno, where his brother died. He lived until 1919.
Flat Hip
Hunkpapa warrior who was one of many indians who said a long time after the battle that he killed Custer.
Flying Hawk
Hunkpapa warrior and brother of Kicking Bear and a cousin of Crazy Horse. He was born in March 1852 and was a son of chief Black Fox and Iron Cedarwoman. He fought with his friend Crazy Horse in the Custer fight. He became a chief at the age of 32, and died at Pine Ridge, South Dakota on the 24:th of December 1931.
Fool Bull (Tatanka Witko)
Medicinman born in 1844 who carried a shield made of buffalohide in the battle. This shield is today available to watch at the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Gall (Pizi)
Hunkpapa war chief who was born in 1838. He was among the Cheyenne guarding the horses as Reno attacked the camp. His 2 wifes and 3 children were killed in the attack and Gall said: "It made my heart bad. After that I killed all my enemies with the hatchet."
Good Fox
warrior who showed great spirit as he was riding between the soldiers taking several coups while touching them with his coupstick, which was wrapped in otter fur. He also survived the Massacre at Wounded Knee and then died in 1928.
He Dog
one of Crazy Horse's best warriors who later on became a judge at the "Court of Indian Offenses" on the Pine Ridge reservation, South Dakota and he also was a living history book to the Oglala peoples history and culture.
High Eagle
He Crow
Minneconjou warrior who was injured in the Custer fight.
Hump
Oglala head chief.
Hump
Minneconjou chief who was 29 years old in 1876 and was injured early in the fights as his horse was killed under him.
Hump Nose (or Hump)
Sans Arc chief.
Iron Cedar
Hunkpapa warrior in Gall´s band who saw Custer's men from a high point above the river and directed Gall´s warrior to another position.
Iron Hail
Iron Hawk
Hunkpapa warrior who was 14 years old as he rode in to the battlefield with his bow and arrows and his face painted in red. He shot and killed one soldier from his horseback.
Iron Star
Minneconjou warrior and number 2 after Lame Deer. A leader in the Custer fight. He died later in the Minneconjou Sioux village near Lame Deer as General Miles' attacked the village the 7:th of May 1877.
Iron Thunder
Minneconjou warrior and brother of Hump. He was 28 years old in 1876.
Kicking Bear
Hunkpapa warrior and brother to Flying Hawk. He killed some of Reno's soldiers as they tried to escape back to the river. He later became a profet for the Ghostdance movement on the Pine Ridge reservation in 1890.
Little Bear
was hurt in his leg as his horse was shot under him during the Custer fight and he was saved by Elk Nation.
Little Knife
Hunkpapa warrior who in 1879 said that Custer had been killed by a 15 years old boy who´s brother just had been shot.
Eugene Little Soldier (Akichitahchigala)
born in 1863 and fighting with his bow against Reno. He was among the Indian police who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Little Warrior
Lone Bull
Hunkpapa warrior and Sitting Bull's cousin took part in the fights against Reno.
John Lone Man (Isnawichah)
born about 1850 and one of the Indian policemen who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Long Elk, warrior who was injured in the battle.
Oliver Looking Elk (Hehakawaketo)
born about 1845 and one of the Indian policemen who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Low Dog
Minniconjou chief who fought both against Reno and Custer. "I called to my men: "this is a good day to die, follow me".
One-Who-Walks-With-the-Stars
a young Oglala woman and wife of Crow Dog. As she was fetching horses by the river she hit and killed 2 soldiers who had fled from the battlefield and were going to swim over the river.
Pemmican
Red Fish
Red Hawk
Red Horn Buffalo
Red Horn Bull
Red Horse
Minneconjou warchief who was collecting wild plants as Reno's men "charged so quickly we could not talk...".
Round Fool
a boy who discovered a soldier who had been hiding all the night in a thicket after the fights against Reno. The soldier was forced with fire to leave his hiding place and was killed by Sioux warriors.
Scarlet Top (Inkpaduta)
Santee chief who probably not took part in the battle. His 2 sons (whose names are not stated) were among many other warriors that said they killed Custer.
Walcott Shoots Walking (Wakutemani)
and one of the Indian policemen who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Short Bull
Brule Sioux who took part in driving Reno's men back to the other side of the river. He later became a profet in the Ghostdance movement.
Sitting Bull (Tatanka Yatanka)
Hunkpapa Medicinman and chief, also a powerful leader. Was´nt active in the battle as he was in his teepee with a seriously damaged leg, as he the day before had been kicked of a horse. His vision during a sundance the 14:th of June predicted a victory for the indians, and it was he who ordered the indians to stop the attacks on Reno and Benteen's troups on the 26:th of June. He was killed in his camp at Grand River, North Dakota on the 15:th of December 1890.
John Sitting Bull
Hunkpapa warrior and son of Sitting Bull.
Spotted Bull Horn (Tatanka-he-gle-ska)
married to a cousin of Sitting Bull. Was killed together with Sitting Bull on the 15:th of December 1890
Spotted Eagle
Sans Arc Sioux chief.
Spotted Rabbit
son in law to White Buffalo who fought very close to the final position of Custer.
Standing Bear
Minneconjou warrior who was 16 år years old as he fought in the battle with his older brother and uncle.
Thin Elk
Touch the Cloud
Minneconjou war chief and cousin of Crazy Horse.
Two Strike (Nomp Karpa)
Brule Sioux who counted 12 coups during his lifetime including the one´s he took at Little Big Horn. Han lead the attack on the Pine Ridge agency after the Massacre at Wounded Knee.
White Bull
son in law to Sitting Bull.
Joseph White Cow Bull
Oglala warrior who was one of the first to ride against Custer's troups.
White Buffalo (Tatanka Ska) made a list over the Sioux people who died in the battle of Little Big Horn. He then lived until he was 80 years old on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Here is the list:
Bad-Light-Hair
Bear-With-Horn
Black Fox
Black Wasichu
warrior and brother to Chase-in-the-Morning, and cousin to Black Elk; was shot in the battle hanging on the side of his horse. He died in the camp the night after.
Chased-by-Owls
Cloud Man
Dog's-Back-Bone
Dog-With-Horns
Elk Bear
Flying By
Guts (or Open Belly)
Hawk Man
High Eagle
Sioux chief over "the great council lodge".
High Elk
Sans Arc chief killed by Reno's men.
Kills Him
Left-Handed-Ice
Lone Dog
young Sans Arc. He had together with Two Bear, who was killed by Reno's scouts right before the attack, gone away to pick up his horse. Lone Dog fled to the camp to warn everyone just as Reno's men opened fire against the camp.
Long Robe
Mustache
Owns-Red-Horse
Plenty Lice
Red Face
Standing Elk
Swift Bear
Swift Cloud
Two Bears
Three Bears
died in the camp on the 27:th of June the day after the battle.
White Eagle
Young Bear
Young Black Moon
warrior and leader of the attacks on Reno.
Young Skunk
Other "important" Sioux people who participated according to Indian sources.
American Horse (Wasico Tasunke)
Oglala chief and leader for the Bear People band, son of Sitting Bear. Not to be mistaken for the older American Horse who died in the battle of Slim Buttes 1876.
Bad Soup (or Bad Juice)
who had been with the 7:th cavallry at Fort Lincoln, and who pointed out Custer's body to White Bull.
Big Elk (Un-pan Tan-ka)
Oglala chief who took part in a smaller group fighting very close to Custer's last position.
Big Leggins
halfblood Sioux who could read figures and who identified the soldiers they had fought against as the 7:th cavallry.
Big Nose
Big Road
Oglala war chief.
Black Elk
Oglala born in 1863 and son of the older Black Elk. As a young kid he took 2 scalpes from dying soldiers and together with other boys he shot arrows on dying soldiers on the battlefield.
Black Moon
Hunkpapa war chief who was one of the leading indians in the fights.
Brings Plenty
killed a soldier with his warclub.
Comes Again
Crazy Heart
Minneconju warrior and son of chief Lame Deer; was honored as a carrier of the shirt in the fight with Custer.
Crazy Horse (Tashunka Witko)
one of the main leaders at Little Big Horn.
Crow Dog
Brule warrior who captured 3 horses from soldiers during the Custer fight. He took the horses to his tipi on the other side of the river. As he returned Custer and his men were already dead.
Crow King
Hunkpapa war chief who lead 80 warriors in the fights. 2 of his brothers died.
Elk Nation
He saved his friend Little Bear, when his horse had been shot under him.
Feather Earring
Minneconjou warrior who took part in the fights against Reno, where his brother died. He lived until 1919.
Flat Hip
Hunkpapa warrior who was one of many indians who said a long time after the battle that he killed Custer.
Flying Hawk
Hunkpapa warrior and brother of Kicking Bear and a cousin of Crazy Horse. He was born in March 1852 and was a son of chief Black Fox and Iron Cedarwoman. He fought with his friend Crazy Horse in the Custer fight. He became a chief at the age of 32, and died at Pine Ridge, South Dakota on the 24:th of December 1931.
Fool Bull (Tatanka Witko)
Medicinman born in 1844 who carried a shield made of buffalohide in the battle. This shield is today available to watch at the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Gall (Pizi)
Hunkpapa war chief who was born in 1838. He was among the Cheyenne guarding the horses as Reno attacked the camp. His 2 wifes and 3 children were killed in the attack and Gall said: "It made my heart bad. After that I killed all my enemies with the hatchet."
Good Fox
warrior who showed great spirit as he was riding between the soldiers taking several coups while touching them with his coupstick, which was wrapped in otter fur. He also survived the Massacre at Wounded Knee and then died in 1928.
He Dog
one of Crazy Horse's best warriors who later on became a judge at the "Court of Indian Offenses" on the Pine Ridge reservation, South Dakota and he also was a living history book to the Oglala peoples history and culture.
High Eagle
He Crow
Minneconjou warrior who was injured in the Custer fight.
Hump
Oglala head chief.
Hump
Minneconjou chief who was 29 years old in 1876 and was injured early in the fights as his horse was killed under him.
Hump Nose (or Hump)
Sans Arc chief.
Iron Cedar
Hunkpapa warrior in Gall´s band who saw Custer's men from a high point above the river and directed Gall´s warrior to another position.
Iron Hail
Iron Hawk
Hunkpapa warrior who was 14 years old as he rode in to the battlefield with his bow and arrows and his face painted in red. He shot and killed one soldier from his horseback.
Iron Star
Minneconjou warrior and number 2 after Lame Deer. A leader in the Custer fight. He died later in the Minneconjou Sioux village near Lame Deer as General Miles' attacked the village the 7:th of May 1877.
Iron Thunder
Minneconjou warrior and brother of Hump. He was 28 years old in 1876.
Kicking Bear
Hunkpapa warrior and brother to Flying Hawk. He killed some of Reno's soldiers as they tried to escape back to the river. He later became a profet for the Ghostdance movement on the Pine Ridge reservation in 1890.
Little Bear
was hurt in his leg as his horse was shot under him during the Custer fight and he was saved by Elk Nation.
Little Knife
Hunkpapa warrior who in 1879 said that Custer had been killed by a 15 years old boy who´s brother just had been shot.
Eugene Little Soldier (Akichitahchigala)
born in 1863 and fighting with his bow against Reno. He was among the Indian police who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Little Warrior
Lone Bull
Hunkpapa warrior and Sitting Bull's cousin took part in the fights against Reno.
John Lone Man (Isnawichah)
born about 1850 and one of the Indian policemen who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Long Elk, warrior who was injured in the battle.
Oliver Looking Elk (Hehakawaketo)
born about 1845 and one of the Indian policemen who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Low Dog
Minniconjou chief who fought both against Reno and Custer. "I called to my men: "this is a good day to die, follow me".
One-Who-Walks-With-the-Stars
a young Oglala woman and wife of Crow Dog. As she was fetching horses by the river she hit and killed 2 soldiers who had fled from the battlefield and were going to swim over the river.
Pemmican
Red Fish
Red Hawk
Red Horn Buffalo
Red Horn Bull
Red Horse
Minneconjou warchief who was collecting wild plants as Reno's men "charged so quickly we could not talk...".
Round Fool
a boy who discovered a soldier who had been hiding all the night in a thicket after the fights against Reno. The soldier was forced with fire to leave his hiding place and was killed by Sioux warriors.
Scarlet Top (Inkpaduta)
Santee chief who probably not took part in the battle. His 2 sons (whose names are not stated) were among many other warriors that said they killed Custer.
Walcott Shoots Walking (Wakutemani)
and one of the Indian policemen who arrested and killed Sitting Bull in 1890.
Short Bull
Brule Sioux who took part in driving Reno's men back to the other side of the river. He later became a profet in the Ghostdance movement.
Sitting Bull (Tatanka Yatanka)
Hunkpapa Medicinman and chief, also a powerful leader. Was´nt active in the battle as he was in his teepee with a seriously damaged leg, as he the day before had been kicked of a horse. His vision during a sundance the 14:th of June predicted a victory for the indians, and it was he who ordered the indians to stop the attacks on Reno and Benteen's troups on the 26:th of June. He was killed in his camp at Grand River, North Dakota on the 15:th of December 1890.
John Sitting Bull
Hunkpapa warrior and son of Sitting Bull.
Spotted Bull Horn (Tatanka-he-gle-ska)
married to a cousin of Sitting Bull. Was killed together with Sitting Bull on the 15:th of December 1890
Spotted Eagle
Sans Arc Sioux chief.
Spotted Rabbit
son in law to White Buffalo who fought very close to the final position of Custer.
Standing Bear
Minneconjou warrior who was 16 år years old as he fought in the battle with his older brother and uncle.
Thin Elk
Touch the Cloud
Minneconjou war chief and cousin of Crazy Horse.
Two Strike (Nomp Karpa)
Brule Sioux who counted 12 coups during his lifetime including the one´s he took at Little Big Horn. Han lead the attack on the Pine Ridge agency after the Massacre at Wounded Knee.
White Bull
son in law to Sitting Bull.
Joseph White Cow Bull
Oglala warrior who was one of the first to ride against Custer's troups.
An eyewitness story from the Battle of Little Big Horn, from the Lakota chief Red Horse written on the Cheyenne River reservation in 1881.
Five springs ago I, with many Sioux Indians, took down and packed up our tipis and moved from Cheyenne river to the Rosebud river, where we camped a few days; then took down and packed up our lodges and moved to the Little Bighorn river and pitched our lodges with the large camp of Sioux. The Sioux were camped on the Little Bighorn river as follows: The lodges of the Uncpapas were pitched highest up the river under a bluff. The Santee lodges were pitched next. The Oglala's lodges were pitched next. The Brule lodges were pitched next. The Minneconjou lodges were pitched next. The Sans Arcs' lodges were pitched next. The Blackfeet lodges were pitched next. The Cheyenne lodges were pitched next. A few Arikara Indians were among the Sioux (being without lodges of their own). Two-Kettles, among the other Sioux (without lodges). I was a Sioux chief in the council lodge. My lodge was pitched in the center of the camp. The day of the attack I and four women were a short distance from the camp digging wild turnips. Suddenly one of the women attracted my attention to a cloud of dust rising a short distance from camp. I soon saw that the soldiers were charging the camp. To the camp I and the women ran. When I arrived a person told me to hurry to the council lodge. The soldiers charged so quickly we could not talk (council). We came out of the council lodge and talked in all directions. The Sioux mount horses, take guns, and go fight the soldiers. Women and children mount horses and go, meaning to get out of the way. Among the soldiers was an officer who rode a horse with four white feet. [This officer was evidently Capt. French, Seventh Cavalry.] The Sioux have for a long time fought many brave men of different people, but the Sioux say this officer was the bravest man they had ever fought. I don't know whether this was Gen. Custer or not. Many of the Sioux men that I hear talking tell me it was. I saw this officer in the fight many times, but did not see his body. It has been told me that he was killed by a Santee Indian, who took his horse. This officer wore a large-brimmed hat and a deerskin coat. This officer saved the lives of many soldiers by turning his horse and covering the retreat. Sioux say this officer was the bravest man they ever fought. I saw two officers looking alike, both having long yellowish hair.
Five springs ago I, with many Sioux Indians, took down and packed up our tipis and moved from Cheyenne river to the Rosebud river, where we camped a few days; then took down and packed up our lodges and moved to the Little Bighorn river and pitched our lodges with the large camp of Sioux. The Sioux were camped on the Little Bighorn river as follows: The lodges of the Uncpapas were pitched highest up the river under a bluff. The Santee lodges were pitched next. The Oglala's lodges were pitched next. The Brule lodges were pitched next. The Minneconjou lodges were pitched next. The Sans Arcs' lodges were pitched next. The Blackfeet lodges were pitched next. The Cheyenne lodges were pitched next. A few Arikara Indians were among the Sioux (being without lodges of their own). Two-Kettles, among the other Sioux (without lodges). I was a Sioux chief in the council lodge. My lodge was pitched in the center of the camp. The day of the attack I and four women were a short distance from the camp digging wild turnips. Suddenly one of the women attracted my attention to a cloud of dust rising a short distance from camp. I soon saw that the soldiers were charging the camp. To the camp I and the women ran. When I arrived a person told me to hurry to the council lodge. The soldiers charged so quickly we could not talk (council). We came out of the council lodge and talked in all directions. The Sioux mount horses, take guns, and go fight the soldiers. Women and children mount horses and go, meaning to get out of the way. Among the soldiers was an officer who rode a horse with four white feet. [This officer was evidently Capt. French, Seventh Cavalry.] The Sioux have for a long time fought many brave men of different people, but the Sioux say this officer was the bravest man they had ever fought. I don't know whether this was Gen. Custer or not. Many of the Sioux men that I hear talking tell me it was. I saw this officer in the fight many times, but did not see his body. It has been told me that he was killed by a Santee Indian, who took his horse. This officer wore a large-brimmed hat and a deerskin coat. This officer saved the lives of many soldiers by turning his horse and covering the retreat. Sioux say this officer was the bravest man they ever fought. I saw two officers looking alike, both having long yellowish hair.
Red Horse wrote down the battle in 41 drawings
Before the attack the Sioux were camped on the Rosebud river. Sioux moved down a river running into the Little Bighorn river, crossed the Little Bighorn river, and camped on its west bank.
This day [day of attack] a Sioux man started to go to Red Cloud agency, but when he had gone a short distance from camp he saw a cloud of dust rising and turned back and said he thought a herd of buffalo was coming near the village.
The day was hot. In a short time the soldiers charged the camp. [This was Maj. Reno's battalion of the Seventh Cavalry.] The soldiers came on the trail made by the Sioux camp in moving, and crossed the Little Bighorn river above where the Sioux crossed, and attacked the lodges of the Uncpapas, farthest up the river. The women and children ran down the Little Bighorn river a short distance into a ravine. The soldiers set fire to the lodges. All the Sioux now charged the soldiers and drove them in confusion across the Little Bighorn river, which was very rapid, and several soldiers were drowned in it. On a hill the soldiers stopped and the Sioux surrounded them. A Sioux man came and said that a different party of Soldiers had all the women and children prisoners. Like a whirlwind the word went around, and the Sioux all heard it and left the soldiers on the hill and went quickly to save the women and children.
From the hill that the soldiers were on to the place where the different soldiers [by this term Red-Horse always means the battalion immediately commanded by General Custer, his mode of distinction being that they were a different body from that first encountered] were seen was level ground with the exception of a creek. Sioux thought the soldiers on the hill [i.e., Reno's battalion] would charge them in rear, but when they did not the Sioux thought the soldiers on the hill were out of cartridges. As soon as we had killed all the different soldiers the Sioux all went back to kill the soldiers on the hill. All the Sioux watched around the hill on which were the soldiers until a Sioux man came and said many walking soldiers were coming near. The coming of the walking soldiers was the saving of the soldiers on the hill. Sioux can not fight the walking soldiers [infantry], being afraid of them, so the Sioux hurriedly left.
The soldiers charged the Sioux camp about noon. The soldiers were divided, one party charging right into the camp. After driving these soldiers across the river, the Sioux charged the different soldiers [i.e., Custer's] below, and drive them in confusion; these soldiers became foolish, many throwing away their guns and raising their hands, saying, "Sioux, pity us; take us prisoners." The Sioux did not take a single soldier prisoner, but killed all of them; none were left alive for even a few minutes. These different soldiers discharged their guns but little. I took a gun and two belts off two dead soldiers; out of one belt two cartridges were gone, out of the other five.
The Sioux took the guns and cartridges off the dead soldiers and went to the hill on which the soldiers were, surrounded and fought them with the guns and cartridges of the dead soldiers. Had the soldiers not divided I think they would have killed many Sioux. The different soldiers [i.e., Custer's battalion] that the Sioux killed made five brave stands. Once the Sioux charged right in the midst of the different soldiers and scattered them all, fighting among the soldiers hand to hand.
One band of soldiers was in rear of the Sioux. When this band of soldiers charged, the Sioux fell back, and the Sioux and the soldiers stood facing each other. Then all the Sioux became brave and charged the soldiers. The Sioux went but a short distance before they separated and surrounded the soldiers. I could see the officers riding in front of the soldiers and hear them shooting. Now the Sioux had many killed. The soldiers killed 136 and wounded 160 Sioux. The Sioux killed all these different soldiers in the ravine.
The soldiers charged the Sioux camp farthest up the river. A short time after the different soldiers charged the village below. While the different soldiers and Sioux were fighting together the Sioux chief said, "Sioux men, go watch soldiers on the hill and prevent their joining the different soldiers." The Sioux men took the clothing off the dead and dressed themselves in it. Among the soldiers were white men who were not soldiers. The Sioux dressed in the soldiers' and white men's clothing fought the soldiers on the hill.
The banks of the Little Bighorn river were high, and the Sioux killed many of the soldiers while crossing. The soldiers on the hill dug up the ground [i.e., made earth-works], and the soldiers and Sioux fought at long range, sometimes the Sioux charging close up. The fight continued at long range until a Sioux man saw the walking soldiers coming. When the walking soldiers came near the Sioux became afraid and ran away.
Text: Garrick Mallery, Picture Writing of the American Indians, 10th Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology 1893.
Text: Garrick Mallery, Picture Writing of the American Indians, 10th Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology 1893.
