June 25, 3:00 PM
Following Custer's orders to strike the southern end of the village, Major Reno launched a mounted charge. He was quickly overwhelmed by a massive counterattack of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Forced into a defensive timber line and then a chaotic, bloody retreat across the river, Reno's surviving men dug into defensive positions on the bluffs (now called Reno-Benteen Battlefield).
Custer is Isolated
June 25, 3:45 PM
While Reno was pinned down, Custer moved his battalion of roughly 210 men northward along the ridges, hoping to strike the village from the flank or capture non-combatants. Warrior leaders, including Crazy Horse and Gall, redirected their forces northward after repelling Reno, completely cutting Custer off from any support.
Custer's Last Stand
June 25, 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM
Surrounded and heavily outnumbered on a high ridge, Custer's five companies were systematically overwhelmed. Soldiers shot their own horses to form makeshift breastworks, but the defensive lines collapsed rapidly under heavy gunfire and hand-to-hand combat. Custer and every single man in his immediate command were killed.
- The Bismark Tribune actually had a reporter embeded with the 7th Calvery. He was killed along with the others and is known as the first Associated Press reporter to die in the line of duty.
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