Battle of the Little Bighorn, Custer's Last Stand.

Battle of the Little Bighorn, Custer's Last Stand.

Anyone remember Major Marcus Reno? You know the Major Reno and his involvement in one of the most famous battles in American history - the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand?

As fate had it Major Reno was a part of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who was tasked with taking down the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors who were resisting the U.S. government's confusing and treacherous expansion into their native lands. Custer, eager for a swift strategic victory, hastily split his forces into three battalions, Major Reno leading the charge from the south.

Custer's Last Stand

The Battle of Little Bighorn was fought on a blisteringly hot June 25, 1876. The Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, who were led by chiefs Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, ambushed Custer and his men in a counter assault resulting in a surprising massacre. All of Custer's men were killed, including Custer himself in what can only be described as massive strategic blunder.

But what about Major Reno? Well, he and his battalion were in the southern part of the battlefield, and they were soon surrounded by the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. Reno realized that they were in a bad spot, so he ordered his men to dismount from their horses and make a stand on a nearby hill. This ended up being a smart move, as it allowed Reno's men to have a higher vantage point and better defensive position over the warriors.

However, the situation was still dire. The Sioux and Cheyenne warriors were raining arrows down on Reno's position, and Reno’s men were running low on ammunition. So, Reno ordered a charge down the hill to try and break through the enemy lines and reach the nearby river, where they could refill their ammo and regroup.

The Charge

This charge for the ammo and supplies was a controversial move. Some of Reno's men were against it, and thought they should stay put and defend their position. But Reno was the commanding officer, and called the charge.

The charge was a 2nd disaster. Falling into the skilled hands of the Souix and Cheyenne warriors many of Reno's men were killed or wounded, and Reno himself was thrown from his horse and had to be rescued by his men. But, despite the losses, the charge did achieve its goal of breaking through the enemy lines and reaching the river.

At this point, Major Reno and his men were in a better position, but they still had to fight off the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors who were trying to surround them. They managed to hold their position for the rest of the 25th and into the night, and, on June 26th, Major Reno and what was left of his battalion retreated.

Controversial News

Major Reno's involvement in the Battle of the Little Bighorn turned controversial as the news spread further East. After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Major Marcus Reno was subjected to intense scrutiny by the public and media. Some people blamed him for the defeat and claimed that he had not done enough to save Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men.

In response Major Reno's superior officer, General Alfred Terry, ordered an investigation into the battle. The investigation cleared Major Reno of any wrongdoing, but the criticisms persisted.

In an effort to clear his name and restore his reputation, Major Reno resigned from the U.S. Army and sued General Terry for slander. However, the case was dismissed, and Major Reno's reputation remained tarnished.

It wasn't until the late 1880s that Major Reno's reputation began to recover, largely thanks to the efforts of a woman named Elizabeth Bacon Custer, who was the wife of George Armstrong Custer. Elizabeth was a staunch advocate for Major Reno and worked tirelessly to clear his name.

The Fog of War

Major Reno made the best decisions he could based on the information he had at the time, but things still went wrong. Custers ill-advised silhouetted advance, Reno’s calculated charge to resupply down the hill, both were risks that cost many lives.

But, at the same time, Major Reno's actions also allowed many of his men to survive. If he hadn't ordered the charge, they might have been surrounded and wiped out completely.

Major Marcus Reno played a crucial role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He and his battalion faced deadly resistance from motivated Sioux and Cheyenne warriors but managed to survive and retreat to the main U.S. forces. Despite the losses, Major Reno's actions in the Battle of the Little Bighorn demonstrate the complexities and unpredictability of war. Major Reno had to make difficult decisions in the heat of battle, and his actions had a significant impact on the outcome of the fight.

In the end, the Battle of the Little Bighorn was a pivotal moment in American history, and had a lasting impact on the US Government's relationship with Native Sioux and Cheyanne tribes. Major Reno's role in the battle may have been controversial, but it's a testament to the bravery and determination of a true leader.