Battle of the Little Bighorn - Part 3

With the cartridge-casing information in hand, experts were able to place the location of the men, and their weapons, as the Battle of the Little Bighorn continued.

Many of the federal soldiers were very young - ages 16 and 17 - and immigrants from Western Europe. Their teeth and bones tell us something about their lives. At the age of 22, some of them had arthritis - meaning they had led difficult lives.

Riding all night long, before the Battle at the Little Bighorn, most of the federal troops were in bad shape. Were they fit enough for the battle which loomed ahead?

Archaeological evidence confirms the oral histories of the Indians. It also confirms the differing styles used by opposing sides. The warriors, used to fighting up close and personal, fought under their own, individual command. The soldiers, used to fighting at a distance, fought as a unit under their leader's command.

See, also:

Battle at Little Bighorn - Part 1

Battle at Little Bighorn - Part 2

Battle at Little Bighorn - Part 4

Battle at Little Bighorn - Part 5