Readers, the following is mostly for the six players who played in Little Big Horn #3 on 08/22/2026. However, anyone should find the images colorful and evocative. Click on images to enlarge.
Warriors are returning to the encampment after defeating Major Reno's earlier attack off the top of the image. The Little Big Horn River is off image to the left (east). Some have heard that a bluecoat cavalry column is on the east side of the river and are going there to investigate and engage them.
ORDERS FOR THE 7TH CAVALRY
EAST OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN RIVER
Right: Capt. Yates Bn. commanded by Chuck S. with Comps. E and C.
Center: General Custer (Todd P.).
Left: Capt. Keogh's Bn. commanded by Bob B. Company F leads with I and L off image following. Custer had one of the companies under his personal command.
The two battalions are heading north. The Little Big Horn is off image to the far upper right. There had been little rain. The horses kicked up dust.
At this point I stopped taking photos due to being busy with questions, teaching and processing turns. It will hardly suffice to say that Yates fought a steady and brave rear guard action in the vicinity of Medicine Tail Coulee against vigorous and increasing opposition. Keogh raced north to find a ford to cross the river. He would succeed ending the game.
However, after everyone went home I opted to play out the game solo. Near the 15th turn Custer crossed the river with Company I and turned toward the village.
To engage Crazy Horse with a conglomeration of mounted warriors who had earlier exited the Main Table to the Back Table. The two sides charged firing Colts, arrows, lances and various rifles into each other.
End of Melee Round 1. Crazy Horse....
Held his warriors to continue. The marker with the letter H (hold) was the morale result.
Meanwhile, Company L was not far behind. It crossed the river to join Custer.
As eventually would Company F.
At this point I stopped. While it is true there were several dismounted warrior parties able to engage Custer, it seemed illogical to me that they would. Their imperative would be to join the elderly, invalids, mothers, children and pony herds who had left the village hours before to a ridge to the west. Custer was between the warriors and the vulnerable ones. Hardly anyone was in the village.
Custer had the village and the win.
STATS
Losses:
7th Cavalry: 100 -57 = 43 to ride another day.
Warriors: 170 -73 = 97 to scatter into the northern plains.
14 Turns from 10 am to 2:45 pm with thirty minutes for chow.
2 Extra Turns played solo the next day.
Six players.
Fast moving.
Keogh's Bn. covered something like 25' of ground on the Main and Back Tables.
I am sincerely grateful to the Gang of Six playing this game with enthusiasm, skill and fun.
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