That’s a rugged area. The Bighorn Mtns. are pretty unique. Small area, very rugged and difficult to get around in, although I could agree that a force of 2000 Indians was a large force to hide. Fetterman was fearless though.
True, but also clueless about Indian warfare. He'd only been in the region some months yet believed he could whip the "savages" with 80 men. While such disregard for the Indian's ability to fight was prevalent in the military at the time, most who opposed them in open combat came to a respect of their fighting ability. Unfortunately for Fetterman, he never got the time.