[gusty]

Custer’s mistake started with his failure to follow Gen. Terry’s orders. He was not supposed to start a general action until Terry and Gibbon’s column approached the Indian village from the north. Custer’s column cut across from the east far north of where he supposed to. Thus he arrived early and from the wrong direction for the planned pincer movement.

[RedMonqey]

Custer’s mistake started with his failure to follow Gen. Terry’s orders.

Yes, Custer made quite a few mistakes but in his defense, sometimes officers must use initiative to take advantage of ever changing battlefield conditions.

The problem this time, Custer misread, disregarded accurate information and proceeded recklessly.

In my humble opinion, he was frustrated by the Indian guerrilla's tactics and believed wrongly this was his best chance to deliver a devastating blow to enemy and regain his glory of his Civil War years and end his career as the soldier who tamed the savage tribes.

Just my thoughts.