The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Native Americans involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, is an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army.
The battle, which occurs on June 25 and 26, 1876 near the Little Bighorn River in eastern Montana Territory, is the most prominent action of the Great Sioux War of 1876.
It is an overwhelming victory for the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho, led by several major war leaders, including Crazy Horse and Gall, inspired by the visions of Sitting Bull (Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake).
The U.S.
Seventh Cavalry, including the Custer Battalion, a force of 700 men led by George Armstrong Custer, suffers a severe defeat.
Five of the Seventh Cavalry's companies are annihilated; Custer is killed, as are two of his brothers, a nephew, and a brother-in-law.
The total U.S. casualty count, including scouts, is 268 dead and 55 injured.Public response to the Great Sioux War varies at the time.
The battle, and Custer's actions in particular, have been studied extensively by historians.
