Marcus Reno – Indian Fighter at the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Marcus A. Reno (1834-1889) was a figure whose military career, marked by both distinction and controversy, remains inextricably linked to the tumultuous era of westward expansion and the conflicts with Native American tribes. While he served in both the Civil War and the Black Hills War against the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne, it is his role in the infamous Battle of the Little Bighorn that casts the longest shadow on his legacy. His actions on that fateful day have been debated and scrutinized for well over a century, painting a complex portrait of a man caught in the crosscurrents of history.

Born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois, Marcus Reno embarked on a path of military service with his attendance at West Point. This prestigious institution molded him into a commissioned officer, granting him the rank of second lieutenant in July 1857. His initial assignments took him to the rugged frontier of Oregon, a region then in the throes of settlement and rife with tensions between settlers and indigenous populations. This early experience undoubtedly shaped his understanding of the West and the challenges of military life in such a dynamic environment.

The outbreak of the Civil War saw Marcus Reno join the 1st Cavalry, where his abilities and dedication propelled him through the ranks. By the war’s conclusion, he had achieved the rank of captain, a testament to his competence and leadership during the nation’s most trying period. Following the war, in 1866, he was stationed at Fort Vancouver, a strategic post in the Pacific Northwest. Two years later, his upward trajectory continued with a promotion to the rank of major. This promotion led him to the 7th Cavalry in December 1868, then based at Fort Hayes, Kansas. The 7th Cavalry, under the command of the flamboyant Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, would become the defining element of Reno’s career.

Later, the regiment relocated to Fort Abraham Lincoln in North Dakota, positioning them for involvement in the escalating conflict with the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. It was from this fort that Marcus Reno accompanied Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer on the fateful Sioux campaign of 1876. This campaign, driven by the discovery of gold in the Black Hills and the government’s desire to confine the Native American tribes to reservations, set the stage for the tragedy that would unfold on the banks of the Little Bighorn River.

The events leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn were a culmination of years of escalating tensions. On June 17, 1876, General George Crook, leading a force of approximately 1,000 troops supported by 300 Crow and Shoshone scouts, engaged a much larger force of approximately 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne warriors at the Battle of Rosebud. While Crook claimed victory, the battle significantly weakened his forces and delayed his advance. This allowed the Sioux and Cheyenne to consolidate their forces along the Little Bighorn River.

Custer, eager to find and engage the tribes involved in the Rosebud battle, pressed forward. On June 25th, a scout reported a large encampment near the Little Bighorn River. Despite intelligence suggesting that the Indian forces numbered around 10,000, Custer, known for his aggressive tactics and perhaps blinded by ambition, believed the numbers were significantly lower. Ignoring the prudent course of waiting for the arrival of the main army under General Alfred Terry, he made the fateful decision to attack the encampment immediately. This decision would have catastrophic consequences for Custer and his men, forever etching the Battle of the Little Bighorn into the annals of American history.

Custer divided his command into three battalions. He assigned one to Major Marcus Reno, another to Captain Frederick Benteen, and personally led the third. This division of forces, intended to encircle the Native American encampment, would prove to be a critical factor in the ensuing disaster. Reno’s battalion was ordered to attack the southern end of the village, while Custer planned to strike from the north.

As Reno’s troops advanced, they quickly realized they were facing a vastly superior force. The initial attack faltered, and Marcus Reno, recognizing the overwhelming odds, ordered a retreat to a defensive position in the woods along the riverbank. This decision, while arguably pragmatic in the face of such overwhelming numbers, would later become a focal point of criticism. After sustaining heavy casualties in the woods, Reno ordered a further retreat across the river to a bluff, where his men dug in to defend their position.

Shortly after Reno’s retreat to the bluffs, Benteen’s battalion joined him, reinforcing the defensive position. However, Custer and his battalion continued their attack on the northern end of the village, unaware of the dire situation faced by Reno and Benteen. Severely outnumbered, Custer and his entire command of approximately 264 men were annihilated in what became known as "Custer’s Last Stand."

Meanwhile, Reno and Benteen’s position on the bluffs came under intense attack. They managed to hold their ground, but suffered significant casualties. It wasn’t until the arrival of General Alfred Terry and the main army that Reno and Benteen’s battered troops were relieved. The Battle of the Little Bighorn resulted in a stunning victory for the Native American tribes and a devastating defeat for the U.S. Army.

In the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Marcus Reno became a target of intense scrutiny and blame. Accusations of cowardice, incompetence, and even drunkenness were leveled against him. Despite the immense criticism, Reno remained in command of the remnants of the 7th Cavalry, a testament to the lack of clear alternatives and perhaps a degree of official support. An official inquiry was conducted, and while it found no definitive evidence of wrongdoing on Reno’s part during the battle, the controversy continued to plague him.

Further damaging his reputation, Reno faced court-martial proceedings in March 1877, accused of making improper advances toward the wife of another officer. This resulted in a two-year suspension without pay, a significant blow to his career and standing. In 1880, further accusations of striking a junior officer and being drunk on duty led to another court-martial. Found guilty, Marcus Reno was dismissed from the army on April 1, 1880, effectively ending his military career in disgrace.

In his final years, Marcus Reno dedicated himself to clearing his name, tirelessly campaigning for a review of his case. However, his efforts proved unsuccessful during his lifetime. He died of cancer in Washington, D.C., on March 30, 1889, his reputation still tarnished by the events at the Little Bighorn.

It wasn’t until 1967, long after his death, that a U.S. military review board revisited Reno’s court-martial. After examining original documents and testimony, the board reversed the original decision, officially changing his general discharge status to "honorable." This posthumous vindication provided some measure of closure to the controversy surrounding his actions. Originally buried in an unmarked grave in Washington’s Oak Hill Cemetery, his remains were re-interred later that year in Custer National Cemetery, within the Little Bighorn Battlefield, a poignant final resting place amidst the landscape that defined his legacy.

The story of Marcus Reno is a complex and multifaceted one, filled with heroism, controversy, and ultimately, redemption. His life and career offer a window into the turbulent times of the American West, the clash of cultures, and the enduring legacy of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.