Heated battle couldn’t have lasted 2-4 hours. The ridge where Custer’s men were trapped was completely surrounded. The Indians had the advantage of ravines and knolls from which to shoot, unimpeded, at a completely outlined target. There may have been 200 Indians killed, but they were probably the ones in first charge. Custer’s defensive postion collapsed and the men retreated back down a small ravine only to be slaughtered before they reached the river............
No. Custer cut his troops in two commands, one with him, one with Koegh. Both put skirmish lines near the river and on the ridges in the area. Then, they moved towards Calhoun Hill, Finley Ridge and near Deep Ravine. They eventually went on Custer Hill.
The Indians were surprised and Custer was always on the offensive to buy time for Benteen (who eventually never came). Read “Lakota Noon” by Gregory Michno. Last researchs shows that Custer’s last stand alone (one the hill) lasted 30 minutes, with a fierce two-hours battle before the last stand.
The entire sequence of events leading up to and including the “Last Stand” could have taken several hours. The “Last Stand” itself would only have lasted 30 or 40 minutes, but possibly longer and possibly considerably less.
Custer is often maligned for attacking before he had a full strength of support, but he was unaware of the true strength, both in numbers and armament, of his enemy. The native forces, at least some, were armed with repeating rifles, while Custer’s men had only single shot carbines. The enemy also had the advantage of familiarity with the surroundings and used the terrain to their best advantage.
But what the indians did to the bodies of the slain was absolutely atrocious in any context.
If you ever get a chance, be sure to visit the battle site.