Colonel George A. Custer was a Civil War Veteran, and graduated from West Point military academy. He had a mission to find the Sioux tribe in the Black Hills, flush them out, and force them onto reservations. There were approximately 1,000 to 1,500 Sioux warriors. He believed that there were two extra units in addition to his, which would have totaled to 2,000, but was unaware that those other two units were unable to reach his location. His unit was only 600 strong. Custer was arrogant from winning almost all of his previous battles, saying "[his army] could whip any force that could be mustered against it," so he denied any reinforcements.
When bringing his units closer to their camp, he was told that some of his troops were spotted. Because he did not want them to run away, he decided to split his army into three squadrons and attack, despite requests to wait for reinforcements. When battle began, his second squadron of 175 soldiers attacked, but quickly found themselves cornered and retreated after a few minutes of fighting, driving them out of the battle. The squadron Custer led, consisting of 210 were spotted, and charged from across a river, and got forced back under fire.
What happened after was a bloody, savage, and brief battle. It lasted no more than 20 to 25 minutes. Custer ordered his men to build a wall with the corpses, but it was to no avail. The Sioux overcame them, and all 210 of Custer's squadron, including Custer, were killed in this battle.