"Maj. Reno, Lakotas and Cheyennes at The Little Big Horn" Topic

Tactical circumstances between Major Reno's cavalry battalion and the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne at The Little Big Horn Battle features several very interesting dynamics. Many of these were unknown to me. This may be true for you as well. We plan to explore these as the 150th commemoration approaches in 2026. Initial thoughts with photos are here.

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Respectfully,
Bill P.
Chronicler for The Adventures of General Pettygree

If you get a chance, Bill, you might want to read a bit about the Fetterman Fight, south of Sheridan, Wyoming, in December 1866. Crazy Horse took part in this battle as a young man.

Also, there is a good biography of Reno, In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno by Ronald H. Nichols.

Grelber

I've been reading the Reno Court of Inquiry report. It brings the voices of the soldiers to life.

Looks great. I can't wait for the next installment.

Tom

Interesting. Looking forward to this!

Thanks.

John

Reno's command was the first to utter the now famous Little Big Horn phrase, "Where did all these Indigenous Natives come from?"

Reminds me of your Lil Bighorn battle at Gen-Con in the 80s..well done.

I've had a chance to 'walk the ground' at LBH (Rosebud and Fetterman site too).

I'm not sure wargames can work for this as the Souix 'fighting style' doesn't really fit with game mechanincs. A lot of feints that don't really close, followed by closing when the US breaks or is exhausted/out of ammo.

I recommend a visit if you can. Very well preserved site.

I have been there twice myself.
My personal view is that it is hard to wargame the concept of, "Oops. They're actually going to stand and fight this time."

But still looking forward to it

Hit LBH and Fetterman a few times. Walking it gives you a perspective of what went on (except for the short grass at LBH now)

I think it is easy enough to game Sioux and Cheyenne feints or attacks that don't really close. It just takes a die cast to close or get any closer than you want to make it. In fact, it could be that the lower the roll, the sooner they stop, or turn around.

In my home brewed rules Indian attempts to close usually don't happen unless striking flank or rear, or the soldiers are heavily outnumbered. The die roll determines which way they veer off if they don't strike home. An influential leader, and or a previously successful bravery run increases the likelihood of striking home.

According to White Bull, the latter led to the destruction of I and L on Calhoun Hill.

There are all kinds of special rules for Indians that make the game fun and historical. At the Wagon Box Fight, Crazy Horse, in the early stages, led a group to a woodcutters' camp at the foot of the mountains. The woodcutters and their soldier escort fled into the mountains. The warriors looted the camp. Crazy Horse saw the main fight over at the wagon box corral. He could not get these warriors into the fight until they had eaten all the hardtack and molasses they had found in the camp.

Tom

Yellow Ribbon does a pretty good job of handling Indian actions. they are run by the game most times. they certainly don't operate like the US Army. Their medicine level helps determine it. Even Pony Wars has a chart to determine their actions.

Thanks.

John