Matrix Games

Location : Montana Territory
Opponents : US Army & Sioux/Cheyenne
Date :   24 SEP 1876
Scale : 2.5

Description :

CUSTER 1876 Campaign against the Sioux Designed by Col Wayne Close (wayneclose@sbcglobal.net) Designed to be played solitaire as US Army vs Hostiles PO. The folder labeled "Custer 1876" must be put in the Graphics folder for the 19th century weapons. DATE: 24 June 1876 LOCATION: Montana Territory SCALE: 2.5 Km per hex/Half-Day Turns TURNS: 24 SOURCES Custer's Luck wargame by Wayne Close, published by 3W Games The Battle of the Little Big Horn by Mari Sandoz UNITS US ARMY Terry Column: White on Blue Custer's 7th Cavalry: Red on Blue Crook Column: Black on Blue HOSTILES Sioux: Yellow on Red Cheyenne: Tan on Red SPECIAL EVENTS Sea transport points are issued to the Army player to simulate the Far West ferrying units across the Yellowstone. ************************** Custer 1876 is a recreation of the ill-fated campaign against the Sioux and their Northern Cheyenne allies during the centennial year of 1876. The scenario begins after General Crook has been defeated by Crazy Horse at the Rosebud River and has retreated back to his camp to lick his wounds. There he sat waiting for reinforcements. Meanwhile far to the north, General Terry and Lt Colonel Custer were bivouaced on the Yellowstone River, unaware of Crook's inaction. They pressed on with their part of the plan, which was for Custer to lead the 7th Cavalry on a reconaissance in force and to engage the enemy only if practical and prudent. Terry, leading a mixed force of infantry and cavalry was to follow up and join Custer and Crook for the kill. Both men saw this as an opportunity for glory. Custer was offered use of a battery of Gatling Guns but declined on the grounds they would slow him down. He even ordered his men to leave their sabers behind to lighten their load. Little did Terry and Custer they know that a great gathering had taken place on the prairie. 5000 warriors of the Sioux and Cheyenne out numbered the three combined Army commands by over 2 to 1. Split up as they were, disaster was sure to follow.