The Attack and Retreat of Major Reno
Reno and Benteen at the Entrenchment |
The Flight
As Reno and his men fled for safety, the Native forces dominated the fight, massacring soldiers from either side. This carnage was reported by George Herendon, a scout in Reno's squadron. "The command headed for the ford, pressed closely by Indians in large numbers, and at every moment the rate of speed was increased, until it became a dead run for the ford. The Sioux, mounted on their swift ponies, dashed up by the side of the soldiers and fired at them, killing both men and horses. Little resistance was offered, and it was complete rout to the ford." Because of the Little Bighorn river, the entire squadron was forced to cross at a single ford, making it easy for the Native Americans to slaughter a great deal of men. After the remaining men finally made it across the river, Reno retreated up a bluff on the bank, positioning his troops above the Indians swarming all around. Although greatly outnumbered, the men were able to hold the attackers back from the high ground , and were bolstered by the arrival of Captain Benteen. Eventually, behind their wall of horse carcasses, the two squadrons outlasted the Indians who shifted their focus to Custer, the more immediate threat on their village. |
Direct Effect of Geography
_Geography's effect on Reno's squadron was drastically important in his initial failure and his eventual entrenchment with Benteen. First, he was forced to travel three miles down the Little Bighorn River to reach the ford where they crossed, causing him to be completely separated from Custer. This separation made it impossible for Reno and Custer to coordinate their attacks, putting the full brunt of the Indian's force on Reno's early advance. During the attack, the terrain also had devastating consequences for Reno's men. When they approached the Indians on foot, fighting on the open prairie proved futile as the the Native's ponies gave them a huge speed advantage. Once they retreated to the wooded area and remounted, the troops found the close, crowded quarters impossible to deal with on horseback. This led to the frantic retreat to the ford, where the single crossing point of the river made Reno's squadron sitting ducks for the pursuing Indians. After reaching the far bank, the terrain provided protection for the troops. The high bluff near the river allowed Reno to join with Benteen and to repel any attacks made by the previously overwhelming Indian forces. Although Reno's position on the hill allowed him to entrench himself and survive, the natural barriers of the river and the surrounding hills made it impossible for them to push past the Indians and reunite with Custer.