2026 will be the 150th year since the 1876 Great Plains Centennial Campaign. In that year thousands of Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne fought the US Army four times. The Plains warriors won the last three.
Powder River: March 17th.
The Rosebud: June 17th.
Major Reno at The Little Big Horn: June 25th.
Lt. Colonel Custer at The Little Big Horn: June 25th.
Questions:
Custer's 7th Cavalry was soundly defeated at The LBH.
(1) We know some details. But how did it develop to the finish?
(2) What were the circumstances, nuances and mysteries that led to defeat?
(3) Can we learn more by immersing ourselves in historical games (kriegspiels)?
Answers will be forthcoming after conducting several innovative games. Last year we played The Rosebud successfully five times. This year we will do Major Reno's operations of June 25, 1876 as his three troops, A, G and M with scouts....
Arrive at a ford in a bend of The Little Big Horn River.
(Click on images to enlarge them.)
Locations:
Troops A, G and M: Foreground, Center and Background.
However, Troop G's Crow Scout is very reluctant to cross. He knows signs seen in the past 24 hours indicate that the largest encampment ever is ahead and wants nothing to do with getting closer.
D Troop (The guidon needs repainting to M.) has just arrived at the ford.
CLOSING REMARKS
(1) "To the men and warriors on both sides of the battle who fought for the right as it was given them to see the right," as written by J.W. Vaughn's With Crook on the Rosebud.
(2) Reno Source Material:
Above Photos: Interpretation of Major Reno's Battalion Arriving at the LBH ford.
Custer's Luck by Edgar I. Stewart
The Battle of The Little Big Horn by Mari Sandoz: Fascinating immersive storytelling.
The Sioux Campaign of 1876 Centennial Campaign by John Gray.
Custer Battlefield, Official National Park Handbook (1987) by Utley
I will be reading through several other recommended sources.
(3) Players: Ideally one per cavalry Troop and 2-3 for the Lakota and Cheyenne.
(4) Regional pards. Let's enjoy the ride by moving miniatures and throwing D6s and help tweak the scenario.
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