Scenarios using Pass of the North and Old Glory Figures

This is a Multi-Scenario based on the Sioux ambushes and raids, culminating on 4 August 1873. (It can be conducted in four separate engagements or any combination). In 1873 Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry escorted the immense "Yellowstone Expedition" (of miners, railroad surveyors, and scientists) into the 'sacred' Black Hills of the Dakota Territory, and right 'square-in-the-middle' of the Sioux Reservation . The Sioux were not happy with the intrusion. They had won autonomy in this area during "Chief Red Cloud's War" (1867) and in the resultant treaty. The various expeditions didn't trigger an all-out war, but hostile bands raided ambushed and challenged vulnerable or isolated "targets of opportunity."

For any miniatures wargame this type of scenario I recommend the newer Sioux Wars 25mm figures line by PASS OF THE NORTH. The 7th Cavalry selections are superb for the troopers of this expedition, the early Plains Wars and the Little Big Horn Campaign. There are an excellent assortment of figure positions, many of which have open hands that can be given guidons, rifles, (this is important if you want to distinguish between early Spencers, and the later Springfield) or even pistols and sabers!. Some are in standard uniform, and some also in shirtsleeves, (so jackets must be put on the saddles). The PASS OF THE NORTH figures match up very well with the (more prevalent) 25mm OLD GLORY line, which includes Indians. A mix of both is a must for any large collection.

Scenario One: "Custer's Pluck"

Lt. Col. Custer, baited by a small camp and a few fleeing warriors, rides ahead of his troops, (alone and followed by his chief of scouts, Lt. Varnum and Scout Bloody Knife) and is surprised by over 100 warriors hiding on his flanks. Custer is personally commanding a group (detached from The Advanced Party) of 2 companies of his 7th Cavalry (80 men) which include his brother Cpt. Tom Custer, (C Company), and Cpt. Myles Moylan (A Company). Custer barely escapes due to his superb mount. The detachment is forced to dismount and take cover in a wood line. The moderately aggressive Sioux depart only after wounding several troopers, and depleting their ammo. Custer, with "80 men" no doubt remembers The Fetterman Massacre, and is weary not to share his fate. Both sides claim victory.

Lt. Col. G. CUSTER
Lt. Varnum and Scout Bloody Knife (100 yards behind Custer)
2 companies of 7th Cav. C Co: Cpt. Tom Custer, Lt. Harrington, 4 sgts, 6 corporals, 32 troopers A Cc: Cpt. Myles Moylan, Lt. Wallace, 5 Sgts, 4corporajs, 30 troopers

CRAZY HORSE (5 war-parties. 110 warriors)

CrazyHorse (30); Little Big-Man (20); LowDog (20); Touch the Clouds(20);Hump (20). 

Scenario Two: "Surprise Party"

A small "Wood Cutting Party" (of 18 soldiers from 8th Infantry Regiment) working within a mile (but not within sight) of the Advanced Party and fails to place adequate security. The two civilian wagon masters become nervous and hitch their teams early. As it turns out, the "shadows" they see are really 30-40 Sioux led by Black-Moon and He Dog sneaking through the woods. Soldiers drop their axes, grab their rifles and rush to the wagons before they are encircled. Only a few Indians can mount their ponies to pursue, and an escape is made with "light" losses: one soldier (the corporal) partially scalped but conscious, one injured leg ( run over by a wagon). The party abandons one rifle, one wounded mule, 10 axes, a shovel, and a pair of pants (of the Corporal, "indisposed" when the attack begins). Neither side claims victory.

Wood Cutting Party

(soldiers from 8th Inf) 1 Cpl. 10 Soldiers, 2 wagon-masters

SIOUX. Oalala

He Dog (20); Black-Moon (20).

Scenario Three: "Second Reveille"

The Advanced Party Detachment bivouacs at a river crossing to wait for the main body. (Custer is away with his troopers) Thirty infantrymen under Major Lazelle, 8th Infantry, guard 15 wagons and 30 civilians. Morning Reveille has blown, and most are near the river washing. When two civilians are reported missing and mounted Sioux rush down the riverbank, an excited bugler blows reveille instead of "Stand-To." It is not until shots ring out that the entire detachment is alerted. The Sioux are only intent on stealing horses. Twenty cavalry mounts are stolen. All but six are recovered due to a "longshot" by one of the sergeants (this killing one of the warriors and scattering the "trophy herd.") The two missing civilians are found dead later about a mile from the camp. The Sioux claim victory.

Bivouac: Advanced Party Detachment

(soldiers from 8th Inf)

Major Lazelle, 8th Infantry, Lt. Brush, 1 Sgt. 2 Cpl. 24 soldiers, 30 civilians, 15 wagons. (NOTE: If played simultaneously with full complement, subtract the woodcutter group from the Advanced Party.)

RAIN-IN-THE-FACE (4 war-parties. 50 warriors)

RAIN-IN-THE-FACE (20); Crow King (10); Kicking-Bear (10); Gall (10). (note: Gall is the more respected warchief who don't get along well with Rain. Earlier Rain and his "Bad Boys" found and killed the two isolated civilians).

Scenario Four: "Gold Miners from Hell"

A party of nine civilian miners, and one wagon are surprised by BrownBack and 20 Sioux several miles from (and unaware of) the Expedition. The Sioux, thinking these are more vulnerable scientists and surveyors, boldly attack, hoping to scare and rout the white men. The miners (on their third lucrative prospecting trip) are alert, well mounted, and armed to the teeth. Using modern sporting rifles they unhorse eight Sioux in the first volley. Seven miners mount-up and angrily pursue the scattering warriors. A small camp of 4 lodges is found and looted. In the end the 7 miners return with 8 scalps, 16 ponies (laden with supplies and buffalo meat), 2 squaws and a white teenage girl. There were no more attacks for some time. The miners claim victory.

Miners' Party
9 civilians, 1 wagon, 20 horses

SIOUX. Hunkpapa
BrownBack (20 warriors) .

Conclusion

With Custer and the Advanced Party miles ahead of the '73 Expedition main body, the Sioux raids and ambushes could succeed in cutting off the isolated detachments. The detachment survives with the loss of only two men. The primary Sioux WarChiefs, Rain-in-the-Face and Crazy-Horse have a chance to trigger the '76 Sioux Wars early, and also preempt the Battle of the Little Big Horn by killing Custer.

NOTES

These "incidents" are separate, but interrelated scenario's, NOT necessarily simultaneous, but much more fun that way! Any combination of four can be tied into one mega-bang (semi-simultaneous) refight. Orders of battle figure ratios can run from 1:1 up to 1:5, number of wagons and teepees is not critical. Any period rules could be adapted, WarPaint was used here with excellent results.

Sources include:

Contemporary Accounts from the following magazines, newspapers, and journals: Harper's Weekly; The Century; Scribner's Monthly; The Chatauquan; Mclure's Magazine; Outdoor Life; Journal of the U. S. Cavalry Association; Chicago Times, and New York Herald.

1 Always questionable are the primary sources that rely on Custer's fanciful accounts, sensationalist newspaper stories, and manipulated Indian interviews. (Other than that such data is quite accurate!)

2 Captain Pete Panzeri, is the author of Little Big Horn 1876, Reed International Books, 1995. Currently Active Duty U.S. Army, Infantry, in The Ohio State University's Military History Graduate Program, assigned to USMA.