Reports of an attempted fording of the river at Medicine Tail Coulee might explain Custer's purpose for Reno's attack, that is, a coordinated "hammer-and-anvil" maneuver, with Reno's holding the Indians at bay at the southern end of the camp, while Custer drove them against Reno's line from the north. Other historians have noted that if Custer did attempt to cross the river near Medicine Tail Coulee, he may have believed it was the north end of the Indian camp, only to discover that it was the middle. Some Indian accounts, however, place the Northern Cheyenne encampment and the north end of the overall village to the left (and south) of the opposite side of the crossing. The precise location of the north end of the village remains in dispute, however.
RepoRts OF AN aTtEMPTed foRdiNg of tHE RIVer at MedicinE tail Coulee MiGHt explaIn CuSteR's pUrPosE for Reno's attAcK, ThAt Is, a cOordiNaTeD "HaMmer-and-anvIl" maneuVer, WItH reno'S HoldinG ThE indiANS At bay At ThE southern End oF The camp, wHIle cUSter drove theM aGAinST renO's lIne from THE norTh. otHER hiStoriAns have NotED tHAt if cuSTeR DiD attempt tO crOss thE river NEAr MedIcine taiL coUlee, hE MAy hAve beLIEved it waS the nOrth eNd oF the iNdian CaMP, OnLy to DIScovEr that it was tHe MiddLe. some iNdIAN accounts, however, plACe ThE NortherN CHeYEnne enCampMeNt anD tHe noRtH enD oF tHe OVerall vILLAge TO The lEfT (and sOuTh) OF thE oppoSIte sidE oF the CrossiNg. the preciSe lOcaTIoN oF thE nORth eND oF tHe village REmains in dispute, howeVer.