Custer's last stand

Cultural  

1. The defeat of Colonel George A. Custer and his cavalry detachment by a large force of Native Americans at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Custer had been pursuing a group of Sioux, led by Sitting Bull, who had risen in arms against settlement of the country. Custer foolishly underestimated the size and ability of the Sioux forces, who were supported by Cheyenne warriors. Custer and all of the soldiers in his column were killed.

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Example Sentences

I knew about the attack on Fort Sumter, Custer’s last stand and Pearl Harbor but did not know of the Tulsa massacre until last year, thanks to an article in The New York Times.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2021

I believe the last time I heard that it was concerning Custer’s last stand.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2016

The last one was a Civil War documentary about General Custer's last stand.

From Slate • Aug. 2, 2012

He writes of apprehension at punting in Williams College's 1950 games at Princeton, saying "I'm afraid shades of Custer's last stand will be re-enacted at Palmer Stadium."

From Seattle Times • Oct. 26, 2010

Every time they bumped a limb, they went off, an' it sounded like Custer's last stand.

From Happy Hawkins by Wason, Robert Alexander