<P> There was no line formed on the battlefield . You can take a handful of corn and scatter (the kernels) over the floor, and make just such lines . There were none...The only approach to a line was where 5 or 6 (dead) horses found at equal distances, like skirmishers (part of Lt. Calhoun's Company L). That was the only approach to a line on the field . There were more than 20 (troopers) killed (in one group); there were (more often) four or five at one place, all within a space of 20 to 30 yards (of each other)... I counted 70 dead (cavalry) horses and 2 Indian ponies . </P> <P> I think, in all probability, that the men turned their horses loose without any orders to do so . Many orders might have been given, but few obeyed . I think that they were panic stricken; it was a rout, as I said before . </P> <P> A Brulé Sioux warrior stated: "In fact, Hollow Horn Bear believed that the troops were in good order at the start of the fight, and kept their organization even while moving from point to point ." Red Horse, an Oglala Sioux warrior, commented: "Here (Last Stand Hill) the soldiers made a desperate fight ." One Hunkpapa Sioux warrior, Moving Robe, noted that "It was a hotly contested battle", while another, Iron Hawk, stated: "The Indians pressed and crowded right in around Custer Hill . But the soldiers weren't ready to die . We stood there a long time ." In a letter from February 21, 1910, Private William Taylor, Company M, 7th Cavalry, wrote: "Reno proved incompetent and Benteen showed his indifference--I will not use the uglier words that have often been in my mind . Both failed Custer and he had to fight it out alone ." </P> <P> Recent archaeological work at the battlefield indicates that officers on Custer Hill restored some tactical control . E Company rushed off Custer Hill toward the Little Bighorn River but failed to reach it, which resulted in the total destruction of that company . This left about 50 - 60 men, mostly from F Company and the staff, on Last Stand Hill . The remainder of the battle took on the nature of a running fight . Modern archaeology and historical Indian accounts indicate that Custer's force may have been divided into three groups, with the Indians' attempting to prevent them from effectively reuniting . Indian accounts describe warriors (including women) running up from the village to wave blankets in order to scare off the soldiers' horses . One 7th Cavalry trooper claimed finding a number of stone mallets consisting of a round cobble weighing 8--10 pounds (about 4 kg) with a rawhide handle, which he believed had been used by the Indian women to finish off the wounded . Fighting dismounted, the soldiers' skirmish lines were overwhelmed . Army doctrine would have called for one man in four to be a horseholder behind the skirmish lines and, in extreme cases, one man in eight . Later, the troops would have bunched together in defensive positions and are alleged to have shot their remaining horses as cover . As individual troopers were wounded or killed, initial defensive positions would have been abandoned as untenable . </P>

The general who led american troops at the little big horn was