Rosebud's impact on Little Bighorn?

[FifteensAway]

I have been thinking about this the last few days.  Rosebud on June 17, 1876, Little Bighorn on June 25-26, the 26th being the post-script portion of Reno Hill.  That is only eight days from first battle to last.  And very unlikely the Indians did much in the way of resupply - and it was essentially the same 'hostiles' at both battles, more or less.  Rosebud lasted hours.  The 'main event' at Bighorn was maybe fifteen minutes.

If Rosebud doesn't happen, I bet the entire 7th gets wiped out at Little Bighorn.  Why?  Ammunition.  The Indians would have spent a lot of their ammunition during the earlier battle.  If not, they could have sustained the battle against Reno Hill longer with higher fire power.  It was pretty touch and go at Reno Hill as it was.

Just a thought.  Anyone have data for or against the thought? 

[juergen c. olk]

Never gave that a thought.but not a bad one. I just finished "Rosebud" by Paul Hedren..a couple months ago..Highly recommend..great book and author..,he was a Park Ranger there,,

[Inkpaduta]

I don't know about that. I have been reading about Little Big Horn most of my life.
Never have I read an account that the Sioux/Cheyenne were running out of ammunition
and that is why they didn't finish off Reno and Benteen.

[frank xerox]

Not so sure it was about ammunition, I think the rosebud gave confidence more than anything and without it the Indian camp might have tried to scatter as Custer expected.
I think Reno and his men escaped because the Indians lacked the will/interest to finish him off - there would have been a fair bit of ammo, springfields and reusable series lying around on Custer hill remember.

[frank xerox]

Not series - arrows, god dammit

[has.been]

The Indian approach to warfare was quite different to that of the US Cav.
War was for advancement, be that honour, prestige or possessions.
There was not a command system as the Cav. would have recognised.
If YOU felt you had got enough, honour, prestige or possessions, out of the
battle, then you would leave. e.g. I have killed 3 of the enemy & now have
a fine new horse, rifle & hat. Well it has been a good day. I will leave the rest
for the others.

[frank xerox]

Yup and no one to order you back into action after a stressful and traumatic day. If Custer hadn't actually attacks and forced the Indians hand he could probably have withdrawn fairly safely.