On June 25, 1876, the United States Army suffered the worst defeat of all its battles with Native Americans. Allied Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors successfully turned back a surprise attack on their village near the Little Bighorn River in Montana. Killed in the battle were Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, the colorful and controversial commanding officer of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and 267 men under his command. ""Little Bighorn"" traces the events that led to this historic confrontation, which, though a great tactical victory for the Native American warriors and the families they fought to protect, also set in motion a series of negative events for the Sioux and their allies.