The first Indians. begin to emerge from the village. Notice the stragglers appearing behind the Cavalry's charge. The Rules "Yellow Ribbon" account for that...
As more Indians move into the fight, the first shots are fired...and Reno is hit and killed! Another trooper is killed while two receive light wounds (yellow caps)...The fighting intensifies as more and more Warbands emerge from the village. Two bands even close to hand-to-hand and casualties mount for both sides. Two Warbands are actually forced to retire (when native leaders are lost, a roll is taken and if failed, they withdraw until a new leader is selected, or they vacate the field)...Reno's (?) three troops begin to withdraw to the timber, some mounting up while others simply fall back. M Troop (at top of cavalry line, just entering the timber) is to be the rear guard...While M Troop fires into the Warbands, keeping them temporarily at bay, Troops A and G (top right) try to save themselves...When A Troops attempts to retire after mounting up, they are overtaken by a Warband and engaged in hand-top-hand (center). It is a one-sided fight, no Native losses, but three troopers bite the dust!Closeup of A Troops difficulties, as five troopers escape momentarily...Troops A and G along with Reno's (?) HQ, are arriving at the top of the bluff overlooking the Little Big Horn. Will they have a chance to regather themselves before Benteen arrives?The remnants of A Troop (top center) are desperately attempting to reach the Reno Column reforming at the top of the hill, but Native Bands are closing in from two sides...Unfortunately for the few A troopers still in the saddle, a Native Band goes first and shoots two of the three off their horses! The lone survivor gallops off...One lucky trooper...As the survivors of Reno's Battalion reform and try to dig in, Captain Benteen arrives with his Battalion and the Pack Train. They survive (?)