ABSTRACT
Reno’s accounting of what happened at the Greasy Grass/Little Bighorn leaves as much out as it includes but provides a fairly accurate time-line for the sequence of events at the southern end of the battlefield. It is nonetheless an obvious attempt by Reno to justify and put the most positive spin possible on his actions, perhaps in anticipation of forthcoming criticism from his subordinates. Note in particular his abbreviated description of his command’s retreat to the bluff tops and later movement north along the bluffs toward the sound of the guns. Both suggest a degree of leadership that others said he failed to exhibit. Although his troops were confronted by an overwhelming number of warriors, Reno almost certainly exaggerates that number in his report as he does the degree of support he enjoyed from his officers.
