Bloody Knife continued. "It is as I have told Long Hair: this gathering of the enemy tribes is too many for us. But he will not believe me. He is bound to lead us against them. They are not far away; just over this ridge, they are all encamped and waiting for us. Well, tomorrow we are going to have a big fight, a losing fight."(Jackson 3.41-4) "In 1876 the army planned a campaign against the hostile Native Americans, then centered in Southwestern Montana Territory. Custer's regiment of 655 men formed the advance guard."(Encarta 6.47) The Battle of the Little Big Horn has raised many questions and given few answers. Examining the historical background leading up to the battle and exploring the battle itself will give an accurate and appropriate description of what happened.
             The expansion of white men west of the Mississippi River, forced the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians back on to reservations. The treaty of 1868 at Fort Laramie gave a permanent home to the Native Americans. In 1874 Custer and the 7th cavalry went on an expedition for scientific purposes. Gold was found in the Black Hills on the Indian reservation, when the news got out, people flooded the area. This increased the hostile feelings between the Indians and white man. (Luce 7.61-63).
             The immediate reason for the campaign of 1876 was because of the order given December 3, 1875 saying "that unless they shall remove within the bounds of their reservations (and remain there) before the 31st of January next, they shall be deemed hostile and treated accordingly by the military force" (Luce 7.65). It was almost impossible for the Indians to "comply" with the order because of it being given in the middle of the harsh winter, and the limited time given to respond to the order. So the order was given on February 7, 1876 to start an operation against the hostile Indians (Luce 7.66). "The plan of this campaign was to march i...