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Little Big Horn Battle Myths Myth 1. Sitting Bull was not actually involved in the battle at the Little Big Horn ( AKA - The Greasy Grass River). However, he did have a vision that "that soldiers would fall in camp like grasshoppers". Myth 2. Sitting Bull was in charge of the counter attack on Custer's troop. Truth was the Crazy Horse, and Chief Gall were the primary men who decided where and how to counter attack. Myth 3. Custer knew exactly where the "Indians" were encamped before the attack. His Crow scouts from what later was called the Crow's Nest spotted and reported to Custer location approx. 14 miles east, as well as reporting they had spotted the largest herd of horses ever seen. Myth 4. Custer was ordered to make sure that the "Indians", which included Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho did not escape. His orders were to proceed south along the Rosebud and meet up with Brig. General Alfred Terry and Col. John Gibbons who were heading westerly toward the Little Big Horn. The columns were to converge on either June 26th or June 27th. Myth 5. This was the only battle taken place in June. Quite to the contrary, General Crook's Forces who were to meet up with Custer, Terry and Gibbons was defeated by a large group of Native Americans at the Battle of the Rosebud on June 17th, forcing him to retreat. Myth 6. Custer split up his forces out of a lack of foresight. Truth, although in the long run it wouldn't have changed the outcome, his plan was to use the split to avoid the "Indians" from escaping. Myth 7. The inquiry into Major Reno's conduct and behavior during the battle, and although found without fault, his reputation was forever stained. Major Reno with Companies M, A, and G. followed his written orders by Custer to attack. He crossed at the mouth of the Little Big Horn what is now known as Reno's Creek. He rapidly advanced northwest across the open fields. His advance was first hidden by trees on his right, but upon coming into the open and reaching the south end of the village, and realizing that the encampment was wider than expected he sent his Arikara and Crow Scouts forward on his exposed left. However after about 25 minutes more than 500 attacking Indians turned his left flank forcing him to withdraw. Myth 8. That Custer's 7th Calvary was a well trained fighting and complete group. Truth, about 20 percent had only enlisted 7 months prior to the battle and were poorly trained. Out of the 718 men who were assigned to the 7th Calvary, only 550 were present at the battle. Myth 9. Custer and the 210 men with him all died in the same spot on what his now known as "Last Stand Hill". Actually they were in several small groups along that hill. Myth 10. Custer according to the movies was last one of the soldiers to die. No one knows exactly the time when Custer was killed during the battle, and in attempt to by the army, his wife and others to save Custer's reputation they erroneously reported that he had died from a chest wound and he also had wound to his arm, and a postmortem wound to the head. According to Native Americans who participated in the battle, Custer shot himself in the left temple to avoid being captured. Unlike most of the soldiers, he was not mutilated. Instead some Native American women poked awls in his ears, in order that he could hear better in the next life. This was based on the fact that Custer was told previously by the Sioux that if he returned, he would die.
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