The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Part 2)

What do you know about The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Part II)?  Discover this US History Fun Trivia Quiz.  "Check Your Answers" at the end of the page.

1) The Seventh Cavalry is a veteran organization created just after the American Civil War. Many men are veterans of the war, including most of the leading officers. A significant portion of the regiment has previously served four-and-a-half years at Ft. Riley, Kansas, during which time it fought one major engagement and numerous skirmishes, experiencing casualties of 36 killed and 27 wounded. Six other troopers have died of drowning and 51 from cholera epidemics.

• True or False?

2) Many of the troopers have enlisted in the prior seven months, are only marginally trained, and have no combat or frontier experience.
What is the percentage?

• 5%
• 10%
• 15%
• 20%

3) A sizable number of the 7th Cavalry recruits are immigrants from Russia, Italy and Spain, just as many of the veteran troopers have been before their enlistments.

• True or False?

4) Of the 45 officers and 718 troopers then assigned to the 7th Cavalry (including a second lieutenant detached from the 20th Infantry and serving in Company L), 14 officers did not accompany the 7th during the campaign.
How many troopers did not accompany the 7th during the campaign?

• 52 troopers
• 152 troopers
• 252 troopers
• 352 troopers

5) Who is the regimental commander on detached duty when parts of the 7th Cavalry are destroyed at the Battle of Little Big Horn?

• William J. Story
• John R. Richards
• Manny J. Boggs
• Samuel D. Sturgis

6) As the Army moves into the field on its expedition, it is operating with incorrect assumptions as to the number of Indians it will encounter. The Army's assumptions are based on inaccurate information provided by the Indian Agents.
What is the number of hostiles in the area?

• 200 hostiles
• 400 hostiles
• 800 hostiles
• 1,200 hostiles

7) While after the battle, Custer is severely criticized for not having accepted reinforcements and for dividing his forces, it must be understood that he has accepted the same official Government estimates of hostiles in the area which General Terry (Custer's commander) and Col. Gibbon (Montana column) also accepts.

• True or False?

8) Also, Custer is more concerned with allowing the escape of the American Indians than with fighting them.

• True or False?

9) Custer's Crow American Indian scouts tell him it is the largest American Indian village they have ever seen. When the scouts began changing back into their native dress right before the battle, Custer releases them from his command.  While the village is enormous in size, Custer thought there are far fewer warriors to defend the village.  He assumes most of the warriors were still asleep in their teepees.  From his own observation, as reported by his trumpeter (2).
Who is his trumpeter?

• Martin Reynolds
• Marvin Richards
• Michael McWeeney
• John Martin (Martini)

10) Finally, Custer may have assumes that in the event of his encountering American Indians, his subordinates battalion and the pack train will quickly come to his aid.
Who commands the troops H, D, and K battalion?

• Capt. Miles Standish
• Capt. John J, Kidder
• Capt. Frederick Benteen
• Capt. Raymond McDonald

The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Part II) Answers

1. True
2. 20%
3. False. A sizable number of the Seventh Cavalry recruits are immigrants from Ireland, England and Germany, just as many of the veteran troopers have been before their enlistments.
4. 152 troopers
5. Samuel D. Sturgis
6. 800 hostiles
7. True
8. False. Also, Custer is more concerned with preventing the escape of the American Indians than with fighting them.
9. John Martin (Martini)
10. Capt. Frederick Benteen

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