Battle of the Little Bighorn - Custer's Last Stand | History | 

My apologies for the two errors that slipped through editing but here's the correct edits - * Edit: Custer was a Lt. Colonel not Lt. General at the time of the battle. * Edit: The quote of Custer's final message to Benteen should say big village not valley which is corrected with the onscreen quotation. Thanks again

The site of the last stand is a VERY spooky place. We visited there some years ago, it was mid July and the temperature was right at 100 degrees. Once you got away from the visitor's center and got on the "path" that talked about the battle, I mean it got DEAD quiet. No animals moving, just the wind whooshing through the prairie grass, very eerie.

Another point is that of the weapons they used. Custer's men used single shot Springfield rifles and 45 pistols. The Indian's used Winchester and Henry and Spencer repeating rifles. 14 shot rifles in a .44 caliber more effective than a single shot rifle. They were outgunned from the beginning.

As a member of the Sioux, I listened to my great grand father tell me about this. He was just 14, but a warrior.

During a road trip on our Harley Davidson back in 1975, we visited the site of Custer's demise. It was quite eerie as it was in July very close to the 25th. We spoke with several visitors but we did not meet any rangers on the field. I had not studied the campaign much before then but in the years since I have looked into it. This particular history offering is well done.

"Hellbent on furthering his reputation Custer departed from his orders and decided to attack without the aid of the Terry/Gibbon column." That comment omits significant details. On the morning of June 25 Custer ordered the men to camp for the day and attack the following day on June 26, which was the earliest day the Terry/Gibbon column would be in position. But after resting several hours it was discovered that some supplies had fallen from the pack mules and troopers who went back to retrieve them saw Indians carrying off the supplies. Everyone connected with the planning of the campaign (Sherman, Sheridan, Terry) was of the opinion that the Indians would scatter across the plains in countless smaller groups, which would defeat the purpose of the campaign to capture them when they were all together. When Custer was informed that Indians now knew of his proximity to the village he decided he could not wait until the following day to attack, fearing the Indians would use that time to scatter. So even if he was "hellbent on furthering his reputation" he initially gave orders to attack in coordination with Terry/Gibbon and only decided to attack without their participation when he reasoned that waiting another day was no longer practical.

Country singer Johnny Cash had a song Custer with this line in it: "Custer split his men. Well he won't do that again". Another line is: "It's not called an Indian victory but a bloody massacree. There might have been more enthusin' if us Indians had been losing".

“How the battle unfolded” is actually not a current debate. All of Custer’s men died, but plenty of Natives lived to pass the story on. The “secrecy” stemmed, for a very long time, from an unwillingness to accept Native accounts of the battle.

It was NOT a massacre, it was self defense. Wounded Knee was a massacre

Custer was a fearless warrior. But he was also reckless and foolhardy. He never should have attacked. His scouts told him how many Indians were there, but his massive ego would not allow him to consider the fact that he could be defeated.

Great video! I really appreciate how you edited the scenes from Son of the Morning Star together to make it enjoyable to watch while also representing what was being portrayed on the screen.

Knowing that the camp was about to start moving, Custer went against his own better judgment and ordered an immediate attack. That is a very perceptive way to put it. It was arguably tragic, but the story of the American Indian was never going to end any other way.

Custer was never a Lieutenant General. He was a Brevet (temporary) Major General in the Civil War and commanded a Cavalry Division under Philip Sheridan. After the war he, like countless other US officers, reverted to their regular army rank of Lieutenant Colonel. That was his post war rank although he was often called General by his men, many of whom had been with him in the Civil War.

He refused to take along sabers, Gatling Guns or cannon because he said that they would slow him down.

The Black Hills were used by the Sioux for hunting game and the trees were useful for housing and whatnot. They had practical reasons to want to keep them.

When you make a treaty, stick by it. If you don't value your word, nobody else will either. No amount of gold is worth your integrity.

Who else thought Custer was being played by Ben Stiller when he looked like White Goodman in 'Dodgeball'?

My late husband and his horse were part of the 7th cavalry reenactors who were filmed in those scenes near Billings, MT..

A wonderful commentary spoken clearly and concisely . Thank you so much .

Custer died for your sins! Hoka Hey! Hehanni waniyetu opawinge wanje wikcemna zaptan sam zaptan ehantanhan Lakota oyate kin hena Shahiela oyate kin Pehin Hanska akicita sica kilena wichaktepti yelo! He lila wakan yelo! By the way only four Arapaho warirors were present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and they were kept apart under surveillance for a while because the Lakota thought they were spies. Anyway when the battle started and Custer troops tried to storm the northern end of the village where the Cheyenne camp was located these Arapaho warriors fought alongside the Lakota and their Cheyenne relatives. To this day there is an oral tradition that says that probably the first of two shots that killed General Custer was shot by one of this Arapaho warriors. This video is an excellent researched historical document.

Custer 's hair was not long on this day, in fact both the Indians and the Cavalry had difficulty identifying him because they were looking for the one with the "long hair"

Gary Cole as Custer. If you Indians could just line up over here, that would be terrrrrrrific. Mkayyy?

Thank you - the presentation simplified what sometimes turns into a confusing battle.

One of the clearest explanations ever for what happened on that fateful day.

I walked the battlefield two years ago. It truly is a solemn place. It is also a lot larger than I thought it was.

This is the best explanation of the battle of the Little Big Horn. Great Video.

IV just subscribed.. Loving your content, war history is one of my favourite subjects

I really liked how you used film clips from "Son Of The Morning Star." Over all, I thought it was a very entertaining video! Thank you!

Thanks for the video - excellent graphics showing what happened. We British had a similar experience three years later at Isandlwana when some 1200 troops were all but wiped out by over 15,000 Zulus. Chelmsford made the same mistake as Custer - under-estimating his enemy, not knowing where his enemy were and splitting his command - in hostile territory!

Custer was a hero at Gettsburg in 1863 when he stopped Jeb Stewart's cavalry attack on day 2 of the battle...a decisive move that allowed the North to prevail!

I lived in this area for 2 years. The Native American "camp" was over 6 miles in length. Interested parties might want to read their version, "Save The Last Bullet for Yourself" More information came after wild fires revealed more relics on the battle field.

Most of the warriors were asleep in camp due to a late night celebration of the battle of the Rosebud and were a number swore to die in battle and this is the group who made a suicide attack that broke in among Custers men before remanants were forced to last stand hill almost since Crazy Horse showed up behind them. It was thought that braves were off on a buffalo hunt by Custer also.

This is the best movie portraying Custer’s Last Stand! For once Hollywood comes real close To getting it right.

Thank you for video.

Custer had been demoted and was not a general at the time of the battle. Also Sitting Bull had another part of his vision. He warned Crazyhorse not to mutilate the bodies after the battle. Crazyhorse did not listen.

Hollywood Custer. Not a smudge or drop of sweat on his face. Perfectly coiffed hair, shampooed and blown dry. Clean hat and uniform. Must have taken a stagecoach while his men rode horses.

15:29 I would argue there was many survivors. The Native Americans that wiped them out could have and did give 1st hand recollections. Like it or not, they were victorious and can write that portion of history as they saw it!

Impressive research. That was very good work. My hat is off to you.

Custer's tactics worked until they didn't. Thanks for sharing. Excellent presentation.

This channel is so underrated!

Your layout of the battle was sublime. Good job! Subbed!

Very well done. Liked and subscribed.

One of the better editorials of this Historic piece of History

I've been tracing old wagon trail ruts between Dodge City Kansas and Oklahoma which Custer used to attack the Cheyenne in the Battle of the Washita. They also cut off SW into the Texas Panhandle where the Red River War of 1874 was fought.

I hate it when people say we don't know how Custer's Last Stand played out because there were no survivors. There were over 1,000 survivors but they were all Native American. The accounts of the Battle of the Greasy Grass handed down in their oral traditions are consistent with modern battlefield archeology.

15:58 another correction, they were clipping south. Sorry if I’m wrong. Fascinating video. Loved the way they chased those jerks back to their fort.

Well done... Thanks... Excellent map work!

Thank you very much for this detailed video!

I am a Custer. My great grandfather changed it from Custer to Kuster and married a native American. Ironic isn't it? You wont read that in your history books. His blood runs through my veins yet i also have native American blood too. Think about it. General Custer is my great great uncle. My brother and uncle look identical to him.

Great video!!! Have had the opportunity to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield numerous times. Have been there BEFORE the Native American markers were put into place AND BEFORE the Native American memorial was built. Also have been there numerous times AFTER everything was emplaced - way better experience and interpretation of the events that happened. It is roughly a 5-mile distance from Last Stand Hill to Reno Hill and have ridden my bicycle that route a few times, as well as, driven. Always learn/see something new. Unfortunately, cannot visit the location where Reno's command crossed the river and started the battle, for that is private property. However, once you enter battlefield-proper, you can drive to an overlook and get a good glimpse of the area. Also, have followed Gen Crook's route north out of Fort Fetterman to the Rosebud Battlefield (Battle Where the Sister Saved Her Brother). That battle was a NEAR DISASTER for the Army, because the army was caught by surprise. Indian scouts detected/intercepted the Indian attack and engaged the enemy long enough for the Army to re-act.

I never knew I needed a documentary about Custer's last stand starring Ben Stiller until I saw this thumbnail. "Nobody makes me bleed my own blood...other than the Lakota..."

Probably the best description of the battle I've ever watched

You 'conveniently' left out, that custer raided villages of women and children WHEN THE WARRIORS WERE AWAY ... custer received righteous retribution.

I was on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation on June 25th, 2004. The Lakota tribe still celebrates this victory to this day.

A battle that went south almost as soon as it began..

I went to the Little Big Horn when I was about eighteen. I made a life study of this Battle when I was fourteen and still learning more about it. This battle needs to be on film again.

Custer ordered a forced March before the battle. His men and horses had little rest or food for over 24 hours. The weather was very hot for June. They were exhausted going into the fight. I had the pleasure of visiting the Little Bighorn Battlefield last summer. The topography is much rougher and steeper than depicted. There are small markers where soldiers and Indian bodies were originally found. Army horses were interned around the base of the monument . The ... I'm going to call it a monument... for the Native Americans was so moving I litterly staggered as I entered its circle and would have likely fallen if its wall hadn't caught me. Wish I could post photos here.

Really good take on this using the footage and using maps,couldn't even imagine the panic them men went through,but to be fair to the natives they were backed up in a corner like a wounded animal and fighting for there way of life and seen many atrocities before it was pure blood lust for them,just hope they are all at peace!

Excellent job ! :)

Nice vid man.

Excellent documentary! Greetings from France 🇨🇵

crazy horse ,a true warrior!

Visited Custer battlefield in early August 1969. I can remember looking for bullets or shell casings in that area for fun!

That was the best last stand movie out son of the morning was well done closed to true life good 0ne

As Johnny Cash sang...."Custer split his men....He won't do THAT again!"

Custer's _own Indian scouts_ ( Crow and Arikara ) told him they had sighted *" the biggest and most populated Indian camps they had ever seen in their lifetimes, "* , some 6,000 to 7,000+ persons. These camps stretched for MILES. 2,000+ of the people there were warriors. The scout's advice to wait was ignored by him. Custer decided to attack without re-inforcements. But then again, the scouts were telling this to someone who had graduated *LAST* in his class at West Point. Custer's worst subject was ' cavalry tactics '. Custer attacked a minimum of 2,000 warriors with 210 men. That's right. They were outnumbered ten to one. I can only imagine that Custer stupidly thought they would all immediately surrender, not fight, and follow his orders. Sadly, at least 6 of Custer's Indian scouts were killed during the battle. ( An estimated half of the Indians were equiped with a large variety of repeating rifles and handguns. They had much earlier traded for them with ......... white men. )

I think this is the best video I've I've seen yet. Some video's r so confusing with 2 much info thrown at once. This is well done with the current facts acknowledged in a structured way! Thanks. P.S. except for the the trooper depicted with a repeater! 🙄. Regarless of what actually happened on that fateful day be assured Custer & his men got their arses well & truly kicked! 😱

This is very well done. Thank you for creating this explanation of this battle and the history behind it. Though I should point out that you didn't include the aftermath of the Native Nations and the subsequent treatment of the people after the battle.

Son of the Morning Star is a great movie. A lot of it is a bit historically incorrect but it got a lot of smaller details right on. I still enjoy watching it with my father. We nit pick it a bit, but that's part of the fun sometimes.

I just got done visiting the battle and to be honest it gave me the creeps because almost all of the soldiers are buried in a mass grave right on top of last stand hill. And seeing where they were found ( White markers that said U.S. soldiers fell here June 25-26 1876)and how the 95-degree heat made the soldiers untraceable made me feel sick.

As an American through and through, this was a fair fight. Custer had an Army that was armed moving through the Indians land. The Indians got together and won a battle. They should’ve done this wayyy before and kept doing it. But instead they stopped fighting and just accepted defeat. You can be an American but still have sympathy for these people and what their ancestors went through.

Thank you for this well orated narrative of native history.

I have run into many young adults now that have never heard of this. Had no idea what I was talking about. Never heard of Custer. One of them never heard of Pearl Harbor.

Good excellent detailed commentary

Bit of trivia. Gary Cole is the actor who played Custer. Cole was supposed to have been given the role of Crockett in Miami Vice, but he turned it down and Don Johnson got it. And as they say, the rest is history.

this was excellent. very rational super well researched. custer did have some good intelligence, his scouts, especially mitch bouyer--who was the army's number one scout and who had never worked with Custer before-- warned him of the size and ferocity of the village but he apparently didn't trust their opinion very much. this was great.

It would be useful to have a North point and a Scale on the maps so we can judge the distances involved.

Custer turned down the gatling guns and another cavalry detachment of more than 200 men

WOW, you guys have a rich history.. Treasure it for the years to come.. From Capetown South Africa...

I`m always worried about the horses when they fight like that 😄

Custer kept compounding his errors in judgment. After surviving all those reckless charges during the civil war, his luck finally ran out.

The real battle of the Washita River is far different than what you may read in the history books. The Cheyenne warriors had separated themselves from the old men, women, and children, to protect them from battle. They were camped two miles away. Custer attacked the women and children, killing about half of them and taking the other half as prisoners. They left the area before the Indian warriors could get there. The Cheyenne called him “Woman Killer” He was an arrogant ass, with one of the highest desertion rates of any military outfit. You won’t hear this story in history books because the people in the east wouldn’t have stood for it after hearing about the battle of Sand Creek, almost exactly one year earlier.

Interesting, little known fact is Custers 1st Stand at the Pig War in San Juan Islands WA. I lived there for awhile and participated in the reenactments. As a new Lieutenant Custers 1st command was a small outpost on north part of Island. There was a British post on south part. Friction over a boundary line occurred with soldiers on each side when a shot rang out followed by several more. A pig had run between the 2 sides triggering some shots. Only casualty was the poor pig. Look it up, its true

Excellent, bravo!

We did a family vacation out that way, was interesting to walk the battle site, it also was the same time as the Sturgis bike event, we were there the year after Dances with Wolves came out and that was big deal out there, getting to a few movie sites. And some Indian War era forts and battle sites.

There is an AWESOME 36-part series by a You Tuber called "CusterApollo". He explains the battle in great detail and also walks the battlefield, pointing out the terrain, significant events, etc. He also has animated maps of the battle as well. Highly recommended.

That was a very good video

A really interesting depiction of the battle and quite true from what I have read. Kenny Rogers should have been there and " know when to hold em ', know when to fold em' .

This was well done thank you

I would love to see something like this but on the battle of Gettysburg because that battle really interests me and the reasons that the battle of Gettysburg interests me are I had ancestors that fought in it and they were 2 of my 4x great uncles the first one is William Henry Weikert who fought in a skirmish on June 26th and the other one is George E Kitzmiller who served valiantly in the ranks of Company K first Pennsylvania reserves infantry regiment and on June 22nd 1867 aged 27 6 years before he passed away the war department issued him a brevet promotion to captain to date March 13th 1865 for gallant and meritorious service in the wilderness campaign another reason I am interested in the battle of Gettysburg is that my ancestors lived through it so my ancestor William Henry Weikerts Dad And George E Kitzmillers Father in law my 4x great grandfather Jacob weikert had a house and barn that was used as a Union field hospital for the 5th corps army of the Potomac and during the fighting on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg his saw the famous famous bayonet charge of the 20th Maine infantry regiment against the 15th Alabama infantry regiment and i know that my ancestors house and barn was used as a field hospital because a famous union soldier/ general died there but at my ancestors house was a young girl named Matilda Jane Tillie pierce Alleman and she wrote the only civilian account of the battle of Gettysburg called what a young girl saw and heard of the battle of Gettysburg and I would highly recommend people who are interested in the civilian experience during the battle of Gettysburg to read the book and its on the Pennsylvania state university library’s website and in the book Mrs pierce remembers a promise that she made and she says I hastened down to the little basement room, and as I entered, the soldier lay there dead. His faithful attendant was still at his side. I had kept my promise, but he was not there to greet me. I hope he greeted nearer and dearer faces than that of the unknown little girl on the battlefield of Gettysburg. As I stood there gazing in sadness at the prostrate form, the attendant looked up to me and asked;” do you know who this is?” I replied;” No sir.” He said;” This is the body of General Weed a New York man” And I also know that my ancestors house and barn was used as a field hospital because located within the museum at the Gettysburg national military park visitor center is a table but it’s not just any ordinary table it’s my ancestors kitchen table and if you look 👀 closely you see something that looks like a blood stain but that’s not just any ordinary Blood Stain it’s the blood of union and confederate soldiers who were amputated and treated on the table.

Nice job.

Custer wasn’t a general (brevet only). He was a colonel and graduated last in his class at West Point.

What a great presentation. As I understand it, the trooper Reno sent with a message to Benteen to join him could barely speak English.

excellent

I just can't sit here a listen to a guy who isn't American tell me about American History.

Not going to lie, seriously thought that was Ben Stiller in the thumbnail there for a sec lol

Shout out to John Gibbon, a hero of the Civil War and a man who recognized the Native Americans' plight. He didn't like fighting against them but the Army was his career and he later became an agent for them as the Natives learned when he gave his word it was good, regardless of any career repercussions that might happen. To Benteen's credit, he'd seen plenty of horrific combat during the Civil War and IMHO he knew they were in way over their heads. For a hardened combat commander to order his men to dig in it means he knew things looked grim. He also knew from experience just how nearly impenetrable dug in rifle pits were to attackers. He didn't lose his cool-he just knew trying to rescue Custer would have left him completely exposed and probably would have led to his command getting cut to ribbons. He knew Custer's ego would eventually be his undoing. In an odd twist, the Natives had better rifles in the form of 1873 Winchesters while the troopers still used single shot breech loaders thanks to the penny pinching War Department.

The day our people lost a way of life that lasted thousands of years,the fight continues to this day.

Its pretty cool to know history.

Congratulations, a very nice presentation