Custer's Last Stand: The Little Bighorn Quiz

Answer: Battle of Greasy Grass Creek

The Lakota and Cheyenne called this engagement the battle of Greasy Grass Creek.

Answer: Gall

The Hunkpapa Sioux war chief Gall correctly guessed Custer's intentions after repulsing Major Reno's failed assault. He lost both his wives and three children that day.

Answer: all of these

The Cheyenne and Sioux warriors had the advantage of having Spencer, Winchester and even Henry repeating rifles that day giving them superior fire power in addition to their superior numbers. Custer's command faced almost 2,000 hostile Indians that day in unfamiliar terrain. This was a disaster waiting to happen.

Answer: the death of Bloody Knife

Critics of Major Reno suggested for years that the death of Bloody Knife caused Major Reno to lose his nerve. Bloody Knife was killed beside him as he was questioning him about the Indians' intentions. The fact that his flank was about to be turned and his command overwhelmed,made up his mind to retreat.

Answer: dawdling

Captain Benteen was accused of dawdling (officially - that is the exact word). After all, he was instructed to hurry and bring the ammunition. The state of Reno's command and the presence of hundreds of hostile Indians changed that order.

Answer: they committed suicide

The Indians were implying that some of the soldiers committed suicide either individually or among themselves when it became clear that no escape was possible. This is still a very delicate subject when discussing Custer's Last Stand.

Answer: Captain Weir

Captain Weir led D Company out of the entrenchments in an attempt to aid Custer. The hill they stood upon and witnessed the final moments of Custer's massacre is named Weir Point.

Answer: Lame White Man

Lame White Man of the Cheyenne led the charge that destroyed C Company in a matter of minutes. He cried, 'Come on boys, we can kill them all!'. The dismounted troopers who were in a skirmish line, had their mounts stampeded and were all slain in a matter of minutes. This was the beginning of of the rout of Custer's Command. Lame White Man was killed while leading this charge.

Answer: Lt Harrington

Lt Harrington who was second in command was leading C Company. Captain Tom Custer, who was its commanding officer, was accompanying his brother George during this engagement.

Answer: E Company

The remains of the men who were found after the battle, all belonged to E Company. Once trapped in that ravine, death was certain. It is believed that Lt Algernon Smith, the commanding officer, was killed early in the fight along with the NCOs. Surely they would have never chosen such an unwise path of egress.

Answer: F Company

F Company under Captain Yates made the final stand on what is known as Last Stand Hill. The bodies of George Custer, Tom Custer and Captain Yates were found on that spot.

Answer: yes

Some soldiers did attempt to surrender by offering their arms to the Indians despite all they had been led to believe. The Indians took no prisoners that day.

Answer: no

The Indians were only aware that soldiers attacked them that day. They were only aware that it was Custer and the 7th Cavalry much later.

Answer: by a tattoo

Captain Tom Custer's body was found bristling with arrows,scalped and disfigured. They were only able to identify him by a tattoo on his arm with the initials TC.

Answer: Curley

Curley, the Crow scout under Custer's command, was widely believed to have witnessed the battle from a safe distance. His narrative of what happened has been questioned, but never successfully refuted.