While Custer has been criticized for his tactics in the battle, this maneuver was, in fact, a standard cavalry tactic. Both Custer and Reno were experienced Civil War cavalry officers and would have been very familiar with it.
The official manual of the time (used during the Civil War and in the postwar period) was Cavalry Tactics and Regulations of the United States Army, written by Philip St. George Crook.
Regulation 561 of that manual states, 'If possible, at the moment of a charge, assail your enemy in the flank when [the enemy] is engaged in the front.'

GRANT'S ARMY.; Record of the Operations of Our Cavalry. Another Brilliant Affair by Gen. Custer Capture of Three Railway Trains, 25 Pieces Artillery, 200 Wagons, &c., by the Third Division. Details of the Surrender of Lee's Army. After the Surrender Order from General Custer.

Published: April 20, 1865
From Our Own Correspondent.

NEAR SAWNEY's CREEK, APPOMATTOX CO., Va., Saturday, April 8 — 2 o'clock P.M.

Up to the hour I write, there has been no fighting to-day. The result of the cavalry operations up to this time is, that not less than 15,000 of the men with which LEE left Richmond and Petersburgh have been captured, together with thirty or more pieces of artillery, several hundred wagons and 2,000 mules and horses; but these captures, large and satisfactory as they are, do not begin in importance as affecting the final result, or the fact that LEE has been forced to change his line of retreat. The testimony is conclusive, that when he set out on his retreat, Danville was his destination. The successful battle at Five Forks, followed up by the still grander affair on HARPER's plantation, near Little Sailor Creek, enabled the Second Cavalry Division (Gen. CROOK's) alone, yesterday, to force what troops LEE had on this side across the Appomattox, and he is now making indecent haste toward Lynchburgh, with the whole of GRANT's army at his heels and left flank. At this moment, the cavalry is about thirty miles from Lynchburgh, while LEE, on the Buckingham road, eight miles to our right, has thirty-five miles to make before he can gain that point. Deserters, or men "going home" without leave and men "coming in" to give themselves up, are picked up by the cavalry in every direction; and if the statements made by these men are reliable — and there is no reason to doubt them — what yet remains of LEE's grand army is little else than a disorganized mob. Out of supplies — having had no rations issued since the retreat was commenced on the 1st instant — laboring under the depressing influence of numerous defeats and disasters, it is not to be wondered at that the army is demoralized, and LEE for once at a loss what to do, as that is evidently his condition just now.

The Second Division, under Gen. COOK, went to Farmingdale Station yesterday, when SMITH's brigade charged through the village, and within sight of the enemy's wagon train. In this charge about one hundred prisoners were captured, and several flags. The enemy's infantry guarding the train, hurried to the spot, when Gen. GREGG charged with his brigade, and was repulsed. LORD's battery got into position, and shelled Gen. LEE's headquarters, and made the whole staff "get up and get." The enemy having burned the splendid bridges at this point to prevent pursuit, the river had to be forded at a very bad place, the water being so deep that the gun carriages were entirely submerged while crossing. Gen. DAVIES' brigade covered the movement; but when the rebel infantry came up in force, our cavalry retired. The losses of Monday will not exceed 75 men, 40 of whom were prisoners, and among the latter was Gen. GREGG and Lieut. PAYNE, Eighth Pennsylvania, of his Staff, who got cutoff. Gen. EVANS, it is said, commanded the enemy.

Most of the prisoners captured appeared to be clerks from Richmond — at all events a majority of them have never been exposed much to the sun's rays. One of the prisoners was an insane man, who, after his capture pulled out a bag of gold, and distributed its contents among the soldiers; he also tore up a large number of Confederate bonds — saying, as he did so, "that was the way he would serve the so-called." Insane men are found everywhere in this section; most of them, it is alleged, were made so by trials and suffering brought on by the war.

LEE to-day, according to the report of deserters and prisoners, captured by scouts, has scattered his artillery and supply trains in every direction. It is not possible for them all to escape.

E.A. PAUL.

APPOMATTOX STATION.

Saturday, April, 8 — 10 o'clock P.M.

I have just witnessed another brilliant and successful dash by Gen. CUSTER, at the head of the Third Cavalry Division.

The cavalry left camp near Prospect Station this morning, the First and Third Divisions on one road — the latter division in advance, the Second Division taking a road to the left — all destined for this point On the road a large number of straggling soldiers were picked up, some of whom were cut off from their column by the burning of the Appomattox bridges at Farmingdale, yesterday, and others who were on their way home without leave. From these men it was ascertained that a large number of stragglers, and possibly a train, might be found at the station. Just as this fact had been ascertained, Gen. MERRITT sent an order to Gen. CUSTER to halt and mass his command. CUSTER told the aid the information he had obtained and that he should press on as rapidly as possible unless the order was repeated. No further order was received and the column made all speed possible. When the advance guard, Capt. RENNINGTON's squadron Second New-York, (Harris Light,) had arrived within two miles of the station, it was ascertained that there were several supply trains on the track and a park of artillery in the vicinity. The advance, accompanied by Lieut.-Col. BIRDSEY and Major GLOVER of the same regiment, made a dash upon the station. Some 300 rebel soldiers made for the woods without firing a shot, leaving upon the main track and switches three large freight trains and one other train with locomotives attached and steam up. The engineer attempted to run the train off, but upon call moved the trains back to the depot again. Men were at once found in the Second New-York capable of running engines, who were detached to take the trains toward Burkeville Junction — to a place of safety. Three long trains filled with supplies of all kinds were thus run off before the enemy could recover from their first surprise, and a fourth was subsequently burned, with the depot. The balance of the Second New-York, Col. RANDAL, was quickly pushed forward to support Capt. RENNINGTON's squadron. By this time the enemy had rallied, and the balance of PENNINGTON's brigade, (composed of the Third New-Jersey, Col. ROBSON, Second Ohio, Col. NETTLETON,) dashed in upon the run, followed immediately by WELLS' brigade, composed of the Eighth New-York, Maj. BLISS; Fifteenth New-York, Col. COPPINGER and First Vermont Lieut.-Col. HALL, and CAPEHART's brigade, First Virginia, Leut.-Col. CAPEHART; Second Virginia, Lieut.-Col. ALLEN; First New-York, (Lincoln,) Capt. STEVENS. By the time CAPEHART's brigade dashed in, the enemy rallied in strong force and opened fire from a park of artillery. This artillery, rebel prisoners assert, consisted of forty pieces, and was parked in a circle, and every piece shotted ready for use. After a brief skirmishing, WOODRUFF got his battery into position, and opened a rapid fire at short range. Several advances were made and repulsed, until finally, Gen. CUSTER, seizing upon a favorable opportunity, made a grand dash, just as the First Division was moving in upon his right. CUSTER never made a halt until he had reached Appomattox Court-house, three miles distant where he found his command mixed up with a large force of panic-stricken infantry, supposed to be two divisions under LONGSTREET. Night coming on, Gen. CUSTER fell back, while the First Division (DAVIS') assumed the offensive, to enable the Third Division to bring off their captured property, consisting of thirty or more pieces of artillery, including the celebrated Washington Battery, about two hundred wagons, loaded with supplies of all kinds, forty-five or fifty freight cars, loaded with clothing, boots, shoes, coffee, sugar, bacon, &c., three locomotives, and hundreds of horses, mules and prisoners.

The credit of stopping the trains is immediately due to Lieut. NORVALL, of CUSTER's Staff, who, being with the advance guard, saw the trains moving off, and taking half-a-dozen men, dashed up to the advanced locomotive, and brought the train to a standstill, by firing a couple of shots at the engineer. NORVALL then run the trains back.

This fight, which lasted perhaps two hours, was one of the most strongly contested this command has yet experienced; and naturally, for the supplies were brought to this station to ration LEE's whole army.

In going into the fight, PENNINGTON put his brigade on the extreme left, WELLS took the right and CAPEHART the centre. At several points portions of the line were advanced to within twenty yards of the enemy's guns, and as often they were compelled to fall back, the enemy sweeping the line with canister. Seizing upon a favorable opportunity, just at dark, the whole line charged, swinging in the wings upon the enemy's flanks; at the same time CUSTER in person dashed up with the troops on the road in the centre, and the place was carried. This point gained, the fighting did not cease, for the enemy made a stubborn resistance as they fell back toward Appomattox Court-house and Lynchburgh road, upon which was a train of wagons and artillery. Reaching this road, CUSTER gathered up the men around him and fought his way to the Court-house, where, leaving a portion of WELLS' command to throw up defensive works, the remainder of the command fell back. Shortly after this STAGG's brigade of DEVIN's division came up, and was sent by Gen. CUSTER to relieve WELLS' troops. Just as the General started up the road toward the Court-house, two guns were opened upon his rear; he turned about an instant, and said "Take those guns." The order was promptly obeyed by some of WELLS' and CAPEHART's men; the guns ware taken. In this connection an interesting fact occurs to me. During the six months Gen. CUSTER has commanded the Third Division, every gun that has ever been opened upon the command has been captured by it. In this period of time eighty-one guns have been captured by the division before to-day. The number captured to-day, owing to the lateness of the hour, is not yet known: but the number is not less than twenty-five, and there may be as many as fifty pieces, when all are collected.

This glorious result was mainly achieved through the indomitable energy and great daring of Gen. CUSTER, who was in the front at all times directing, rallying and encouraging the officers and men. In this work he was ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. WHITAKER and other staff officers, as well as the Brigade Commanders and many other officers, field and line. The work in hand was a difficult one, and required the utmost exertions to keep the men at their work, ROBT. E. LEE, the prisoners say, was on the ground, though Gens. WALKER, PENDLETON and others had immediate command in the field; but LEE had no opportunity to place his men behind breastworks, and as has been the case on every field during the war under such circumstance, the rebels met with a serious disaster.

Gen. CUSTER's magnetic influence on the battlefield was again illustrated to-day on more than one occasion. I have already referred to the capture of two guns by order. At an earlier hour there were three guns in one place making sad havoc in our line; charge after charge was repulsed; finally CUSTER, as the men fell back, said: "I must have those guns within five minutes." Influenced by this remark, the men who had just fallen back rallied, and in less than five minutes the guns were in our possession, and such cheers as filled the air at the moment of triumph will never be forgotten.

The fight had not been going on more than twenty minutes before Gen. SHERIDAN and staff rode upon the field, but the arrangements of Gen. CUSTER were not interfered with.

As the troops were charging in at the commencement of the action, an engineer cut the column with a train of cars and halted; CUSTER ordered the train on; the engineer not heeding the order, he fired two shots at the delinquent, fortunately without doing any harm.

The supplies intended for LEE's army are to-night being issued to the cavalry, and the locomotives and trains captured will be of material service in bringing supplies from Burk's Station, or hurrying forward the infantry in case the position of the cavalry should become untenable here.

In the movement toward the Court-house, Lieut.-Col. ROOT, of the Fifteenth New-York, was captured.

During the fight one man deliberately fired a ball through his own foot rather than go into a charge.

Col. WELLS had another horse shot under him.

Maj. CUMMING, of the First Vermont, also had a horse killed.

The annexed list of casualties is furnished by Surgeon BOWLBY, Director of the Third Division, and embraces all the wounded who have been taken to hospital up to this hour:

First Lieut. Wm. Smith, 2d Ohio — groin.
First Lieut. C.A. Nims, Co. F, 2d N.Y. — hip.
Corp. Edgar E. Henshaw, Co. D, 2d N.Y. — right hand.
Capt. A.C. Smith, Co. F, 15th N.Y. — arm shattered by shell.
Sam. Bailey, Co. E, 2d N.Y. — spine.
James Cochrane, Co. E, 2d Va. — spine.
Peter Gephart, Co. M, 2d Va. — spine.
Wm. Searls, Co. A, 2d Va. — thigh.
Lieut. E.D. Woodbury (and Adjutant,) 1st Vt. — arm and side; right hand shattered.
Marshal King, Co. B, 8th N.Y. — shoulder.
Sgt. Joshua Beverly, Co. F, 1st Va. — back.
Capt. Geo. W. Remmington, Co. H, 2d N.Y. — arm.
Sergt. J.T. Hohman, Co. D, 1st Va. — hand and hip.
M.O. Sutherland, Co. C, 2d Va. — foot.
C.R. Bagley, Co. E, 1st Vt. — shoulder.
Sergt. Wm. Ollcraft, Co. E, 2d N.Y. — leg.
George M. Ferrington, Co. M, 1st Vt. — shell, hip.
Second Lieut. Willard Fannington — groin.
Sgt. Edwin P. Yates, Co. B, 1st Vt. — leg.
Sgt. Mark N. Rogers, Co. B, 1st Vt. — side.
Pat. Cunningham, Co. D, 8th N.Y. — abdomen.
Sergt. B.L. Carr, Co. M, 1st N.H. — shoulder.
Sgt. Henry McCarty, Co. F, 8th N.Y. — side.
A.R. Watkins, Co. G, 15th N.Y. — thigh.
Corp. A.S. Barr, Co. L, 15th N.Y. — hand.
Second Lieut. J. Walters, Co. G, 1st N.Y. — shoulder.
J.J. Haskel, Co. H, 2d Ohio — leg.
N. Brown, Veterinary Surgeon, 2d N.Y. — arm.
Maj. S.S. Howe, 1st Va. — bowels
J. Chalacolmb, Co. H, 2d Ohio.
Sgt. N. West, Co. H, 15th N.Y. — arm.
Sgt. Daniel McVickey, Co. H, 15th N.Y. — shoulder.

E.A. PAUL.
CLOVER HILL. APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE. Va., PALM SUNDAY, April 9, 1865.

History fails to furnish a parallel to the important events of this day — except, perhaps, in a single instance. To-day ROBERT E. LEE, the head and front of the slaveholders' rebellion — he who has given direction and force to all its vitality — unconditionally surrenders himself and the once powerful Army of Northern Virginia, which has hedged treason in with a wall of fire for the last four years, to the Union forces commanded in the field by Maj.-Gen. SHERIDAN.

This great event would have transpired several days ago, it is believed, but for the interference of one of the supernumerary Generals, and many lives would have been saved; but of this I do not propose now further to speak. The transactions of the army under Gen. SHERIDAN, during the campaign down to the crowning effort of CUSTER and his Third Cavalry Division last night, I have before forwarded. At the close of yesterday's proceedings, CUSTER's men retired from the field, taking 24 guns with them, and destroying hundreds of wagons, leaving DEVINS' cavalry to hold the line. During the night CROOK's Cavalry Division (the Second) took the front, and this morning the enemy made an attack in force, driving back that division rapidly, until fortunately the Fifth Corps made its appearance and checked the advance. This attack, perhaps, was one of the most impetuous made during this war, for upon its success depended the fate of LEE's whole army. For nearly two hours the battle raged fiercely, and the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Sixth Corps were brought into position to the left, but not into action. DEVIN's First Cavalry Division was next thrown in upon the right of the infantry, and subsequently CUSTER's Third Division was ordered to take the place of the First, but in marching into position, CUSTER made such haste as to get on the right of the line. There, on the banks of Rocky Run, was the whole of LEE's army, train and artillery, the advanced force being on the westerly bank of that stream, with Clover Hill or Appomattox Court-house between the two armies. LEE's position was nearly surrounded, and SHERIDAN believed that a victory would be gained in less than one hour. Never did cavalry look better or grander than the Third Division, as it advanced in column of squadrons, WELLS' brigade in advance, with the Eighth New-York thrown out as a skirmish line, protecting its left flank; never did a force pass through a more severe shell fire, for the moving column on the very crest of a hill overlooking the enemy's entire camp, drew the fire of two batteries at short range; the morning sun shone brightly, and the cavalry, after the series of successes it had met with, was never more disposed to crush the rebellion at one full swoop. CUSTER, with his staff and escort, and handsome colors fluttering in the breeze, was on the left and near the head of the advancing column. Gen. SHERIDAN, with his staff, escort and colors displayed, was on the opposite flank, and nearly on a line with CUSTER. The immediate object of the advance here was to capture a battery on the extremity of the hill sloping toward Rocky Run, which was supported by GEARY's division of rebel cavalry and COWAN's brigade of infantry. This point gained, and the rebel army, trains and everything else would be at our mercy. No wonder that CUSTER was magnificent, or that his division was elated with the prospects before them while passing through the terrible fire to which they were treated by the rebel batteries. It was a glorious sight. Next on the left the Fifth Corps was pressing forward, and swinging in upon its left were the other corps named — the enemy having lost by this time the ground they had gained in the morning. At this auspicious moment, just as CUSTER was about to give the order to charge and take the battery toward which his column was moving, there was seen to emerge through the woods Capt. SEMMES and another officer of LONGSTREET's staff, but temporarily acting under Gen. GORDON's orders, bearing a loft a towel as a flag-of-truce. CUSTER demanded to know what was wanted, when the response was –

"Gen. GORDON desires a suspension of hostilities." To which request CUSTER promptly replied, "There can be no suspension of hostilities except on immediate and unconditional surrender of the entire army," and directed Lieut.-Col. WHITAKER, his Inspector-General, to return his answer to Gen. GORDON. WHITAKER left immediately, and the firing ceased at this part of the line, but skirmishing was continued in front of the Fifth Corps. WHITAKER, passing through the enemy's lines, was at once taken to the headquarters of Gen. GORDON, to whom he made known the response of Gen. CUSTER. He was apparently at a loss what to say for a moment, but was relieved by the arrival of an officer from Gen. LONGSTREET's Staffs, who explained that a cessation of hostilities was requested because Gens. GRANT and LEE were holding a conference. This proved not to be the true state of the case, however, but Col. WHITAKER, acting upon it, immediately returned — accompanied by Capt. BARTON, of RHODES' Staff, and Capt. BARTON, of WALKER's Staff — to our own lines, passing in through the line of the Fifth Corps, to a general officer, to whom he imparted the information he had received, and the firing ceased at this point. No sooner had WHITAKER left on his mission, than Gen. CUSTER decided to go himself within the enemy's lines, and did so, displaying a white handkerchief, and had an interview with LONGSTREET and other officers of the rebel army. Just after CUSTER had left our lines, GEARY's cavalry charged upon his column, but were driven back by WELLS' brigade. The enemy, as an excuse for this attack, pretended not to know that a flag of truce had been sent in, though it came directly from the front, but the real explanation, it is supposed, is they had too much apple-jack aboard to know just what they were about. Gen. CUSTER having at first sent a messenger to Gen. SHERIDAN to inform him of what had been done, that officer; accompanied by Gen. MERRITT and their respective staffs, proceeded to the court-house, which was then between the lines, and was immediately after gained by officers from both armies. The last shots of the dying rebellion were fired at Gen. SHERIDAN's party — one of which came very near Gen. MERRITT and Capt. WALLACE, one of his aids. Sentinels were stationed about the court-house, and only the privileged few were admitted within the line; but from 9 o'clock A.M. until the arrival of Gen. GRANT, at about 2:30 o'clook P.M., there was free intercourse between the two armies. Gen. LEE reached the spot at about the same time as Gen. GRANT, and the two entering the house of Mr. MCLEAN, near the court-house building, the result of the consultation was made known before 4 o'clock, viz.: That the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered unconditionally. The flag of truce had caused cheering throughout both armies, but when the result of the interview was made known the shouts that filled the air was deafening; and there almost at the same instant stood two armies in battle array, who, a few hours before had been engaged in deadly strife, now at peace with each other, and both rejoicing because of that peace. How incomprehensible is the creature called man.

Thus ends the slaveholders' rebellion, on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1865, having lasted four years less three days.

The last officer wounded was Capt. SKIFF, of the Fifteenth New-York Cavalry.

During the evening officers of both armies have passed back and forth freely, and a general good feeling is already manifested. LEE, it is understood, will advise JOHNSTON and other army commanders to follow his example, which they doubtless will do. GORDON has already published an address to his men, advising them to go home and be true to the United States. The number of persons paroled will be about 23,000, which with 15,000 captured by the cavalry and 10,000 lost by straggling, added to what was captured by GRANT in front of Petersburgh, makes up a very large army.

The articles of surrender were signed in the house of WILMER MCLEAN, and it is a fact worthy of note that the same individual owns Bull Run, where the first battle was fought, and was a refugee here — thus have his chickens come home to roost. The table upon which the important document was signed Gen. SHERIDAN paid $20 in gold for, and then presented it to Gen. CUSTER. Lieut.-Col. WHITAKER purchased the chair in which Gen. LEE sat at the table, and Col. CAPEHART the one occupied by Gen. GRANT, Before twenty-four hours I doubt if there is much of the house left — such a penchant have Americans for trophies. Gen. SHERIDAN has the inkstand used on the occasion.

Another interesting fact comes to my knowledge as I write. As is well known, LEE's army is out of rations, but expected to be supplied from the trains captured by CUSTER yesterday. The supply trains of this army are out of immediate reach. In this emergency the Twenty-fourth Corps all colored soldiers, turned over their rations cheerfully to feed their former masters.

When Gen. LEE rode into our lines he was very carefully and well dressed in a gray uniform, bright top boots and dark slouched hat — looking indeed as if he had on his Sunday-go-to-meeting suit. He wears a full beard — iron gray, and looks like a well preserved old gentleman. He was saluted by our officers as he rode in.

The cause for the cheering in the rebel army, I am told by a person who was there at the time, was because of the liberal terms that had been granted them. They expected "subjugation" was something like State Prison life, and some of the men believed SHERIDAN carried along handcuffs for them. Union officers present heard cheers for Gen. GRANT in the rebel lines during the day and before the conference.

The camps to-night are peaceful and brilliantly illuminated by camp-fires. It is a novel thing to see these armies, which have confronted each other in battle array for four long years, now resting in peace within speaking distance, and no pickets out, nor even a skirmish line. E.A. PAUL.

NEAR BURKESVILLE JUNCTION, MOTTOWAY COURT-HOUSE, Va., Wednesday, April 12, 1865.

The whole army, except one corps, left the vicinity of Clover Hill yesterday morning, and is being concentrated in this vicinity, where it will probably remain until JOE JOHNSTON and other rebel leaders decide whether they will surrender without further bloodshed or not. ROBERT E. LEE, and the men recently under his command, as well as the citizens generally hereabouts, expect that all will surrender forthwith. A wonderful change has come over the spirits of the soldiers and people in the State during the last week. I have had a good opportunity to talk with the officers of LEE's army, and there are very few "simon pure" Secessionists to be found, and few or none who do not believe it better for themselves, as well as the country, to unite under one flag again. Even HENRY A. WISE now claims to have been a strenuous Union man, and only took up arms when forced to do so by the North to protect Southern rights. In their march to this place during the last two days, not a hostile shot has been fired, and indeed, the march has been conducted just about the same as if the people had never been in arms against the Government of the United States, At Hampden and Sydney College, at Prince Edward Court-house and various, other small places passed through during the last two days, and at private houses by the roadside, a profusion of white flags were displayed. Everything and everybody seemed to wear a more cheerful aspect. The people opened their houses freely, and extended hospitalities never shown before. While a few ladies shed tears of mortification at the surrender of LEE, they nevertheless believed it all right, because LEE had done it, at the same time expressing a hope and willingness to become reconciled to the new order of things. But with the people generally, there is great rejoicing that the war is over.

If the people of Appamattox, Prince Edward and Holloway Counties and the soldiers of LEE's army represent the whole South, not one year will have elapsed before they will forget the horrors of subjugation. Half an hour after the cessation of hostilities, and within the rebel lines, a prominent officer was proposing plans for punishing the enemies of the United States, and his remarks met with approval from a crowd of graybacks who were listening to the conversation.

As CUSTER's cavalry column passed through the country yesterday and to-day, the people flocked to the roadside, waved handkerchiefs, and at several places actually clapped their hands to express their happiness. At the house where Gen. CUSTER made his headquarters last night, the people made a particular request that the band play the Star Spangled Banner — an unheard of event during the last four years.

The cavalry camp to-morrow in the vicinity of Holloway Court-house, where the force will probably remain until an order comes mustering it out of service.

Annexed will be found a circular address which speaks for itself:

HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE, Va., Sunday, April 9, 1865.

Crow King, Sioux hunkpapa warchief (Michno, p.178):
Riderless mounts scattered across the hills and ran to the river but the soldiers kept in order and fought like brave warriors.

Moving Robe, Sioux hunkpapa woman who eventually fought at the battle (Michno, p.179) :
It was a hotly contested battle.

Eagle Elk, Sioux oglala warrior (Michno, p.186):
The shootings [by the soldiers] Eagle Elk had witnessed within the last minutes had been enough to convince him of the good sense in staying away from the front lines.

Red Horse, Sioux Minneconjou warchief (Michno, p.204):
Even tough virtually surrounded, the soldiers put up a stiff resistance, for it was in this charge [chief Lame White Man’s charge] that the Lakotas lost more of their men. Red Horse thought that 136 Indians were killed and 160 were wounded in that phase of the battle.

Hollow Horn Bear, Sioux Brule warrior (Michno, p.177):
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.

Sitting Bull, famous Sioux hunkpapa chief (Jones, Custer’s Horses, p.104):
There was so much doubt about the outcome [of the battle] that I told the squaws to break the camp and be ready to leave.

Red Hawk, Sioux oglala warrior, speaking about the Last Stand (Michno, p.252):
Here the soldiers made a desperate fight.

Iron Hawk, Sioux hunkpapa warrior, speaking about the Last Stand (Michno, p.254):
The Indians pressed and crowded right in around Custer Hill. But the soldiers weren’t ready to die. We stood there a long time.

Thunder Hawk’s wife:
“It was quite a fight” (on Custer Hill)

Wooden Leg could see “that all the soldiers were killed except for a band that remained hidden behind their dead horses.”

Flying By:
“(the stand) was made in the place where Custer would be killed, down at the end of the long ridge.”

Flying Hawk:
“Custer made a stand on his hill.”

Gall:
Gall neared the end of the ridge where the last soldiers were making a stand. “They were fighting good” he said.

Lights:
he could see the soldiers who had fled the Keogh fight joining those making the stand on the hill.

Two Eagles:
The most stubborn stand the soldiers made was on Custer Hill. From his position a short way north and west of that point, Two Eagles noticed the hilltop was very level and the soldiers took the spot to continue their defense. (…) “They were killed on top of the ridge” Two Eagles declared.

Red Hawk:
The bluecoats were “falling back steadily to Custer Hill where another stand was made”, said Red Hawk. “Here the soldiers made a desperate fight.”

Two Moon:
(…) Two Moon turned back to watch the fight. (…) The “grey bunch" was still fighting.

Standing Bear:
Moving north along the ridge to where he could see better, Standing Bear noticed dismounted soldiers holding their horses by the bridles. “They were ready for us”, he said, and they began to shoot, “the bullets were just raining”. (…) Bear Horn rode up too close (to the last stand) and was himself shot down.

Iron Hawk:
On Last Stand Hill, Iron Hawk saw about twenty men on horseback and about thirty men on foot. “The Indians pressed and crowded right in and around them on Custer Hill” But the soldiers weren’t ready to die. Said Iron Hawk,“We stood there a long time.”

Big Beaver:
Big Beaver crawled back down the coulee to put a bit more distance between himself and the deadly soldiers bullets. (…) The Indians were rushing toward the hill where the soldiers were making their desperate fight.

"(Benteen’s tesimony at the Court) shifted about constantly with half-truths, evasions and falsehoods : by the time the Inquiry ended he had spread enough whitewash to cover Chicago."

“The Recorder (of the Court) asked Major (Reno) if he had read Custer’s order to Benteen. Reno replied he had and although he couldn’t repeat the exact “phraseology” as he remembered, it said to come on, there was a big village and to bring the packs. Reno was asked if the message didn’t have the words “be quick”.

Reno casually said: “Yes, I do, now that you called my attention to it.”

Reno had previously told the court about the “immense” number of Indians he had faced alone in the valley, and the Recorder asked:

“From the number of Indians you saw around you and you estimate of the number that were there, did it occur to you at the time that, with only 225 men, (Custer) might need someone to “be quick”?
The junior major of the 7th Cavalry looked at the Court and then the Recorder, and answered:

“It never occurred to me at all.”

No further comment is necessary on Benteen and Reno’s testimony regarding “Custer’s last message”; it defies coherent description.”

Major Reno’s lawyer showed three exhibits in the Reno Court of Inquiry.

#1 was the report, which contradicts the very testimony Reno gave in the Commission!
#2 was a map which was an alleged copy of Lieutenant Maguire map of the battle of the Little Bighorn.
#3 was an alleged enlisted petition by soldiers who said that Major Reno and Captain Benteen were their saviours and should be promoted.
There is evidence that two exhibits were forgeries, which is a criminal offence.

November 5 1954:
letter from the FBI to the Superintendent (file 95-3820, Labo. N. D-123677 DG, November 20 1950):
“Variations were noted in the signatures listed below and the corresponding known signatures which suggests the probability that the signatures on the petition are forgeries”
List of 80 names (variations), plus 17 names (individuals who signed they payroll with a “x”. But their names appeared on the petition), plus 6 names (handwritings samples unavailable)

September 20 1954:
E. S. Luce, Little Big Horn Battlefield Superintendent
“There are quite a number of apparent “forgeries” and irregularities that show up on comparing signatures on the Petition with the signatures on the Muster and Pay Rolls. One irregularity that can easily be seen are those of the troopers who were unable to write their own names. The name would be written in the signatures column with the notation “His Mark X” and then would be initialed by the troop commander. On the Petition these names were written by some one, but not verified. […]

For many years it has been known by the military as well by historians, that there was “something rotten in Denmark”.
[…] Many historians have written me during the years that I have been here, as to why we (The National Park Service) are covering up this deception.
[…] There has been rumors in the regiment for many years that both Reno and Benteen used pressure tactics to get the men to sign such a petition.
The other officers refused to sign the petition but, in troop H, more than other troopers was the pressure used.” Presumably by Captain Benteen.”

April 5 1995:
Chief Historian Douglas C. McChristian
“The results of the examination were inconclusive, yet the limited handwritings samples available to them suggested that many, if not most, of the signatures were forgeries. There was some evidence to suggest that First Sergeant Joseph McCurry wrote the names, but this could not be determined with certainty because of the paucity of samples of his handwritings.”

#1
1876: [On Reno Hill,] we heard firing in that direction [Medicine Tail Ford] and knew it could only be Custer.
1879: I do not remember anyone reporting to me that he heard firing. I heard no such firing.

#2
1876: In a short time, the pack train came up.
1879: In about an hour and a half, the pack train would come up.

#3
1876: Custer intended to support me by moving further down the stream and attacking the village in the flank.
1879: I had no reason to believe that General Custer would support me in other manner than from the rear […] Custer had no plan.

HERE YOU GO ..

Grant and his administration began to consider alternatives to the failed diplomatic venture. In early November 1875, Major General Philip Sheridan, commander of the Division of the Missouri, and Brigadier General George Crook, commander of the Department of the Platte, were called to Washington, D.C. to meet with Grant and several members of his cabinet to discuss the Black Hills issue. They agreed that the Army should stop evicting trespassers from the reservation, thus opening the way for the Black Hills Gold Rush. In addition, they discussed initiating military action against the non-treaty bands of Lakota and Northern Cheyenne who had refused to come to the Indian agencies for council. Indian Inspector Erwin C. Watkins supported this option. "The true policy in my judgement," he wrote, "is to send troops against them in the winter, the sooner the better, and whip them into subjection."
Concerned about launching a war against the Lakota without provocation, the government instructed Indian agents in the region to notify the various non-treaty bands to return to the reservation by January 31, 1876, or face potential military action. The US agent at Standing Rock Agency expressed concern that this was insufficient time for the Lakota to respond, as deep winter restricted travel. His request to extend the deadline was denied. General Sheridan considered the notification exercise a waste of time. "The matter of notifying the Indians to come in is perhaps well to put on paper," he commented, "but it will in all probability be regarded as a good joke by the Indians."
Meanwhile in the council lodges of the non-treaty bands, Lakota leaders seriously discussed the notification for return. Short Bull, a member of the Soreback Band of the Oglala, later recalled that many of the bands had gathered on the Tongue River. "About one hundred men went out from the agency to coax the hostiles to come in under pretense that the trouble about the Black Hills was to be settled," he said. "…All the hostiles agreed that since it was late [in the season] and they had to shoot for tipis [i.e., hunt buffalo] they would come in to the agency the following spring."
As the deadline of January 31 passed, the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, John Q. Smith, wrote that "without the receipt of any news of Sitting Bull's submission, I see no reason why, in the discretion of the Hon. the Secretary of War, military operations against him should not commence at once." His superior, Secretary of the Interior Zachariah Chandler agreed, adding that "the said Indians are hereby turned over to the War Department for such action on the part of the Army as you may deem proper under the circumstances." On February 8, 1876, General Sheridan telegraphed Generals Crook and Terry, ordering them to commence their winter campaigns against the "hostiles". The Great Sioux War of 1876–77 had begun.

the blame starts with Lincoln who initiated the Homestead Act which did NOT include Indian territory as OFF LIMITS to whomever wanted land out west ..