Custer Lead the 7th Cavalry against Black Kettle and the Cheyenne in 1867. 6 of his men were killed compared to massive Cheyenne loses including women and children. Custer appeared pleased with his role as rounder up of the Indians. He helped Develop the winter war against the Indians although the winter made it difficult for the cavalry it was even more difficult for the Indians who during winter became immobile and quite defenceless. They didn’t hunt in the winter and relied on the preserved buffalo meat they hunted in the other seasons. If these food supplies were destroyed the Indians could be starved and die out.
After the massacre of the Cheyenne at Washita Custer was involved in several other campaigns against the Indians. In 1874 he was sent to the Black Hills which belonged to the Sioux on a scouting mission. Gold had been discovered on the Black Hills and Custer allowed the information to be leaked out after the Authorities wanted it to be kept secret. This caused White prospectors to go there which angered the Sioux as the land belonged to them.
In 1875 Custer was getting the idea that perhaps he may run for President. To help his campaign he wanted to damage the current president Grant’s reputation. He accused President Grant’s brother in law of corruption, taking contracts to supply agencies that looked after the Indians on reservations. As a result of this Custer was suspended from his duties as Commander of the 7th Cavalry. He went to his Commanding Officer General Terry who helped Custer Make an apology via a telegram. Custer got his job back. Custer had been disgraced and his good reputation among whites was damaged.
In 1876 Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse refused to live in their reservation. They wanted to be out following old Indian traditions and the old lifestyle which was far better for Indians, hunting Buffalo and moving around on the plains. The Government wanted them contained. In the summer of 1876 the 7th cavalry lead a campaign against them to round up and punish the unwilling Indians.
It was during this campaign that Custer and his regiment faced their last stand at the battle of Little Big Horn. The plan was that the 7th Cavalry under Custer and the 7th Infantry under Gibbon would form a pincer movement around the Indian settle meant at little big horn. Custer disobeyed his orders and cut through mountains meaning he would arrive at the Indian camp first. It is though that he may have done this to reclaim personal glory or glory for his regiment. Another mistake Custer made was his refusal to take Gatling guns which were rapid fire, crank driven guns with clustered barrels, the first practical machine gun firing many rounds per minute. His men and horses became tired due to forced marches. Custer split his regiment in to 4 units, Reno, Bentea and Mcdougal commanded the other 3 units. He set off towards Little Bighorn. As he led his troops into the camp they became surrounded and he and his unit were all killed. The other 3 units held off the attack for about 30 hours until the Infantry came.
There were other factors which weren’t Custer’s fault. The number of Indians at Little Bighorn was under estimated.
The Indians were supplied with better weapons with which warriors had bought off traders. These Winchester magazine repeaters were far superior to the single shot muzzle loaders Custer and his men had. Evidence has shown that Custer and his men’s single shot rifles had became faulty with cartridge shells becoming wedged in the heated carbine chambers which they hacked at with their hunting knives.
The Indians where expected to have retreated like they would normally do in battle but they stood and fought.
The news of the defeat of one of the United States finest Regiments reached Washington on July 4th 1876 the 100th anniversary of Independence Day. This was a huge blow to their pride. Consequently changes were made within the military such as the increase in numbers and the campaigns against the Indians more vicious, the Sioux were wiped out.
