- From what I’ve read before, Custer did not realize the number of Indians facing him and, on top of that, his arrogance led him to believe that the Indians would flee upon his approach. The cavalry had a good record up to that point in winning skirmishes against Indians and Custer could not believe that this battle would turn out any different.He was probably the most surprised man at the Little Big Horn when he realized that the Indians were not about to run away.
Hello
All what you’ve read is false. see http://www.custerwest.org
1) Custer wasn’t a criminal, never massacred Indians. (see the Battle of the Washita)
2) Custer was one of the most brilliant cavalry generals of his times (see Custer in the Civil War)
3) Custer understood how to fight Indians (see the Battle of the Washita, the Battle of the Littlebighorn pages -LBH-)
4) Custer never underestimated his enemy at Little Bighorn (see “before the battle”).
5) The Indians at LBH were 1’500, exactly the number of warriors Custer expected to fight. There has never been “thousands of Indians” in Sitting Bull’s village or “an impossible victory” as some still say without knowing what the evidences say.
6) The Indians never ambushed Custer, never flanked him. They were surprised by the attack and most of their actions were late and disorganized.
7) Custer’s troops were not all massacred. 2/3 of Custer’s troops, who had to lead front and flank attacks, were out of the battle after 30 minutes and never reached Custer. This military betrayal by Major Reno and Captain Benteen can be proved with evidences shown on this website. It also explains why the army never did any inquiry on the battle, and let the American public dream about the “reckless Custer”.
8) Custer’s attack at Little Bighorn hasn’t been condemned by every military expert, but analyzed and supported by such figures as US general in chief Nelson Appelton Miles, the most successful Indian fighter of US history, and many historians and others.