LTC Custer: The Battle Of The Little Bighorn

The Battle of the Little Bighorn is a tragic military battle where a commander’s overconfidence, refusal to listen to advisors, and lack of foresight, led to the sacrifice of over 265 Soldiers. Many leaders within the regiment and Soldiers underneath LTC Custer were not convinced of his leadership and often time doubted his decision-making abilities. Yet despite a blatant outburst that saw him temporarily removed as regimental commander by President Grant, LTC Custer moved forward to command the regiment and ultimately met his demise at the Battle of Little Big Horn. LTC Custer routinely showed a careless disregard for the operations process and his recklessness led to his downfall.

Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer was assigned to the 7th Calvary Regiment directly under the regimental commander Colonel Samuel Sturgis. During his assignment, LTC Custer temporarily filled the role of the regimental commander, reporting directly to Brigadier General Alfred Terry. BG Terry issued all battle orders and plans to him.

LTC Custer developed a great knowledge of battles and attack through various and lengthy campaigns during the civil war. He used that knowledge in an attempt to replicate that success in the Little Big Horn Campaign. Throughout the decade, he operated in the plain states and territories with one major victory at the Battle of Washita. The Battle of Washita helped to bloat the already overinflated ego of LTC Custer. Despite the substantial amount of controversy caused by the leaving behind of 17 Soldiers and loss of his executive officer higher ranking leaders perceived LTC Custer a as commander with a great prowess of knowledge in regards to the conflict with the Native Americans.

On 21 June 1876, LTC Custer...

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