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Battle of the Little Bighorn Facts & Worksheets

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought on June 25 in 1876, between the federal troops and the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors.

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The Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought on June 25 in 1876, between the federal troops and the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The federal government was forcing the Native Americans to move to reservations. The Battle of the Little Bighorn is also known as Custer’s Last Stand.

See the fact file below for more information on the Battle of the Little Bighorn or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Battle of the Little Bighorn worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

TENSIONS

  • Tensions escalated between the native inhabitants of the great plains and the encroaching settlers, resulting in increased conflict leading to the Sioux Wars, which took place from 1854 to 1890.
  • The federal government began insisting the Native Americans relocate to reservation camps, but the majority refused.
  • The events that lead to the final confrontation escalated during 1874 when Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was ordered to explore the Black Hills, mapping the area for a new military site and searching for natural resources. Geologists found gold deposits and when word got out, an influx of miners flooded the area, violating the treaty of 1868.

FINAL STRAW

  • The U.S. tried to buy the Black Hills from the Lakota, but the price offered was rejected primarily because the Black Hills were considered sacred.
  • The final straw came in 1875 when the commissioner of Indian Affairs issued an ultimatum to the Sioux that they had to report to a reservation by January 31, 1876. The due date came, few Native Americans responded, and they handed the matter over to the military.
  • General Philip Sheridan made plans for several thousand troops to move the Lakota and Cheyenne to the reservations.
  • Increased conflict between the Sioux and Crow tribes saw the Crow support the U.S. troops in kicking the Sioux out of the valley.

ROSEBUD

  • During the Sun Dance ceremony in 1876, the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Agency Native Americans met up. During the same time, the U.S. troops began conducting a campaign to force the Lakota and the Cheyenne to their reservations.
  • The army’s coordinated plan went wrong on June 17, 1876, making Brigadier General George Crooks retreat after the Battle of the Rosebud, 30 miles from the Little Bighorn, when they were surprised by a large number of Native American warriors.
  • Colonel John Gibbon and Brigadier General Alfred Terry joined forces near the mouth of Rosebud Creek. Reviewing Brigadier General Alfred Terry’s plan, they called Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s regiment for help.
  • Brigadier General Alfred Terry and Colonel John Gibbon moved west towards the Bighorn and the Little Bighorn rivers.

FIRST PHASE

  • While Brigadier Alfred Terry and Colonel John Gibbon marched toward the mouth of the Little Bighorn, the scout Mitch Boyer reported the size of the Indian village. On June 25, 1876 another scout reported a large pony herd and encampment 15 miles from their position. But when Custer’s regiment got closer, they couldn’t see either, only seeing another regiment’s cooking fires 10 miles away, which disclosed their position.
  • On June 25, 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer divided his twelve regiments into three battalions, sending one battalion under the command of Major Marcus A. Reno to charge the village straight on. The other battalion, commanded by Captain Frederick W Benteen, went to the south of the encampment. The move proved disastrous when the battalions weren’t able to provide support to each other.
  • Major Marcus Reno’s battalion received the order to attack, beginning the first phase of the battle.

ATTACKING THE VALLEY

  • Attacking the valley, his troop’s movements were covered by the thick bramble of trees. When Major Marcus Reno and his troops reached the village they realized it was a trap and stopped a hundred yards short of the camp. He then ordered his troops to dismount, spreading them across the field five to ten yards apart. They then attacked the village, killing several wives and children of the Sioux leader Chief Gall. This triggered mounted warriors to stream into the camp. Within hours, the Native Americans had pinned Major Marcus Reno and his men along the river bed. Major Marcus Reno saw an exit and shouted to those who could hear him, “All those who wish to make their escape follow me!” which led to a route across the river towards the bluffs.
  • On top of these bluffs, Major Marcus Reno was joined by Captain Frederick Benteen and his battalion, which saved Major Marcus Reno’s troops from annihilation.

CUSTER’S LAST STAND

  • During the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and the 7th cavalry fell victim to many surprise attacks. He was told there were about 800 warriors, but there were over 2,000 warriors, with the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors teaming up with Sitting Bull’s warriors to fight the U.S. troops.
  • Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his 210-man troop headed north towards the village, where they were all killed in a battle lasting two hours. When the Native Americans broke off their attack, only an injured horse remained. The horse’s name was Comanche.
  • Even though Custer’s last stand was thought to be the height of the battle, his death brought the American troops flooding the area, forcing the Native Americans to surrender.

Battle of the Little Bighorn Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Battle of the Little Bighorn across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Battle of the Little Bighorn worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Battle of the Little Bighorn which was fought on June 25 in 1876, between the federal troops and the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The federal government was forcing the Native Americans to move to reservations. The Battle of the Little Bighorn is also known as Custer’s Last Stand.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Battle of the Little Bighorn Facts
  • Timeline
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Journal Entry
  • Sitting Bull Vs Custer
  • Cartoon Strip
  • Digi Battle Cards
  • Battle of the Little Bighorn Quiz
  • True or False
  • Through Another’s Eyes
  • Sun Dance

Frequently Asked Questions

What was unique about the Battle of Little Bighorn?

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was significant in the Plains-Indian War. Native Americans won this battle. However, when people discovered that all of Custer’s men had died, they were astonished. This made them think more that Native Americans were savage and mean.

Did any soldiers survive Little Bighorn?

Although no one survived, a horse was found on the battlefield. Comanche belonged to Capt. Myles Keough. Comanche was brave and had seven bullet wounds!

Who won the Battle of Little Bighorn?

On June 25, 1876, in a decisive victory near the Little Bighorn River south of Montana, Native American forces led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull valiantly defeated Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer’s U.S Army troops at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

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