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One of Us |
Planning a trip in Sept. Anybody been there? How long should I plan on being there? I have more than casual interest so I will not be pressed for time. thanks "Pick out two!" - Moe Howard  | ||
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| One of Us |
been there, drove past it at least 50 other times. access is super simple off the freeway. down below and a bit south is the little fort you'll want to spend some time at too. Buffalo is super expensive. it's not a whole lot further over to deadwood. take water in the summer. | |||
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| one of us |
I guess it depends on how much of a history/Custer buff you are, but for the average person, I'd say a half day is plenty which includes the on site museum. xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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One of Us |
It is a interesting piece of Americas history. Lora and I visited once and I agree with Gato for most folks a half day will pretty well cover it. We were there in mid September of 2000. We thought the museum was really good. The Battlefield is spreadout, because it was a running fight so to see it there is some walking and even in mid Sep[tember daytime temps can be pretty warm. Walking the trail thru the battlefield you can see markers where troopers remains were found as thery came up the ridge from the river and ended up at the [point where Custer and what was left of his command were killed. There are two or three markers at one spot and maybe half a dozen at another spot 50 or 100 yards away, leading up to where the battle ended. I would not mind going back, but depending a persons personal interest in that time period or in Custer, a person can get a lot of mixed feelings when looking at the actual site and about Custer's decisions concerning attacking the Sioux. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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One of Us |
Stopped by last month during a motorcycle tour through Wyoming and Montana. A Yellowstone National Park pass is also good for admission to this site. A fascinating step back in time. An historical event of personal significance. The interpretive center exhibits are very interesting. As well as the informative half hour video and discussions presented throughout the day by the staff. Well worth spending the better part of a day there.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W16TQO-h-yo   | |||
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One of Us |
I have a college buddy of mine who just happens to be an archieologist who told me when they did the exumation to rebury that there were a lot of self inflicted wounds;did'nt want the squaws to get to them. Never mistake motion for action. | |||
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| one of us |
A fascinating event. I always enjoy reading and re-reading about it. No bad guys in my book; just a tragic bit of American history. The Civil War on a small scale. American vs American. | |||
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| one of us |
Maybe the squaws wouldn't have been so upset if the cavalry hadn't attacked the village first?! Peter. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; | |||
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| One of Us |
No, that ain't the way it worked. If you haven't heard of it, a rteally good book concerning the Indian Wars is Empire of the Summer Moon written by S.C.Gwynne and it is a really accurate account of the interactions between whites and the Comanches, from the 1830's or so up thru Quanah Parker's life. It describes what was going on, at least with the Southern Plains Tribes in pretty good detail. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
I've been there 1/2 day is about right. There are informational placards at the various observation points that do an excellent job of illustrations the progress of the battle. Cuter was out numbered, out gunned an out maneuvered. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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| One of Us |
Custer let his ego control him and combine that with his lack of information concerning George Crook's defeat by those same Indians days earlier, and it was a recipe for disaster. Battle of the Rosebud Main article: Battle of the Rosebud On 28 May 1876, Brigadier General George Crook assumed direct command of the Bighorn and Yellowstone Expedition at Fort Fetterman. Crook had gathered a strong force from his Department of the Platte. Leaving Fort Fetterman on 29 May, the 1,051-man column consisted of 15 companies from the 2d and 3d Cavalry, 5 companies from the 4th and 9th Infantry, 250 mules, and 106 wagons. On 14 June, the column was joined by 261 Shoshone and Crow allies. Based on intelligence reports, Crook ordered his entire force to prepare for a quick march. Each man was to carry only 1 blanket, 100 rounds of ammunition, and 4 days' rations. The wagon train would be left at Goose Creek, and the infantry would be mounted on the pack mules. On 17 June, Crook's column set out at 0600, marching northward along the south fork of Rosebud Creek. The Crow and Shoshone scouts were particularly apprehensive. Although the column had not yet encountered any sign of Indians, the scouts seemed to sense their presence. The soldiers, particularly the mule-riding infantry, seemed fatigued from the early start and the previous day's 35-mile (56 km) march. Accordingly, Crook stopped to rest his men and animals at 0800 (8 o'clock AM). Although he was deep in hostile territory, Crook made no special dispositions for defense. His troops halted in their marching order. The Cavalry battalions led the column, followed by the battalion of mule-borne foot soldiers, and a provisional company of civilian miners and packers brought up the rear. The Crow and Shoshone scouts remained alert while the soldiers rested. Several minutes later, the soldiers heard the sound of intermittent gunfire coming from the bluffs to the north. As the intensity of fire increased, a scout rushed into the camp shouting, "Lakota, Lakota!" The Battle of the Rosebud was on. By 0830, the Sioux and Cheyenne had hotly engaged Crook's Indian allies on the high ground north of the main body. Heavily outnumbered, the Crow and Shoshone scouts fell back toward the camp, but their fighting withdrawal gave Crook time to deploy his forces. Rapidly firing soldiers drove off the attackers but used up much of the ammunition meant for use later in the campaign. Low on ammunition and with numerous wounded, the General returned to his post. Historians debate whether Crook's pressing on could have prevented the killing of the five companies of the 7th Cavalry Regiment led by George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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One of Us |
Maybe they weren't upset at all? What force or guile could not subdue, Thro' many warlike ages, Is wrought now by a coward few, For hireling traitor's wages. | |||
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| One of Us |
Thanks for the replies and advice - I have always had sympathy towards the native Americans - too bad Custer's arrogance got his men killed. I am planning on getting there when it opens and stay as long as my wife and I need to! If there is time, we may run up to Pompey's pillar to see William Clark's handwriting. "Pick out two!" - Moe Howard | |||
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| One of Us |
Have you ever done much studying on Native Americans and their history, both Pre and Post the arrival of Europeans? I have been interested in Native Americans all my life, and while I do feel they got a raw deal in many instances, they did a lot of things among themselves that played into their ultimate defeat. I recommend reading the book or listening to the AudioBook, Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne. It deals with the Comanche tribe, more specifically the events from the mid/late 1830's up thru Quanah Parker's death in the 1900's. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
Yes, I have read some on the subject - I too have been interested in them from a young age - they really had it tough. I just finished "Chief Joseph and the flight of the Nez Perce." Interesting book. I didn't realize he is not well thought of among the Nez Perce because he got all of the credit for the flight only because the other chiefs in charge didn't survive. Steven Ambrose's book on Crazy Horse and Custer is another good read. I will pay my respects at the Crazy Horse memorial while I am there. I will put the Comanche book on my list! "Pick out two!" - Moe Howard | |||
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| One of Us |
"Pick out two!" - Moe Howard | |||
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| One of Us |
Ambroses book on Crazy horse + Custer is excellent as the rest of his books. As to the squaws getting to them 1st;that fact is legion;NEVER let the afghan women get you was the call of the Raj.Not much new under the sun;the women are really much more vicious. Never mistake motion for action. | |||
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| One of Us |
Yes the indians did have a tough time of it, but they always had, centuries before the first whites came to North America. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
If you get a chance before you go, read one of these. Doug and his crew used forensic science to identify bullets and cartridges from particular guns as they moved across the battlefield. Combined with written and oral history, it makes a compelling story with a lot more detail than you could otherwise get. Scott, Douglas D., Richard A. Fox, Jr., Melissa A. Connor, and Dick Harmon 1989 Archaeological Perspectives on the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press Scott, Douglas D. 2013 Uncovering History: Archeological Investigations at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman Chuck | |||
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One of Us |
I believe it was Philbricks book that reported Custer has his eardrums pierced by a woman. He also said Custer had an arrow shoved up his wing-wang, but didn't identify who did it... | |||
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| One of Us |
The interesting part to me is that of course this occurred AFTER 600K men died to relieve the suffering of a different minority...guess the Indians weren't the right kind of minority. | |||
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| one of us |
I've been there a number of times. Considering your interest, I would guess you would probably be there for a day or so. The museum, cemetery, battlefields (Benteen/Reno and Custer) and attending an afternoon lecture will all take time. There is a Temple U Art(?) instructor who lectures summers. If he is still there, be sure to listen, he is the only person who could explain to me why Custer's group was "found" and buried below the hilltop. I could never understand why someone would try to defend themselves from a large group below a hilltop. DRSS NRA Life Member VDD-GNA | |||
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| One of Us |
From all the reading I have done, reports were that General Custer's body was not mutilated, but that Tom Custer's body had been severly mutilated. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
P 278-279 in Philbrick's book. Definitely referred to the general and not his brother. The arrow bit was known but supposedly held back so Custer's widow wouldn't hear of it. Phibrick's source was The Custer Battle Casualties. | |||
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| One of Us |
One thing I have learned in my studies of the whole affair, was that not unlike todays news media, reporters of that time period embellished the facts to stir up public sentiment. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
It for sure can happen. This was reported by Custers former lieutenant General Edward Godfrey to his friend Colonel Charles Bates. History is Interesting stuff. | |||
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One of Us |
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-la...+bullet+for+yourself Keep the last Bullet for Yourself by Thomas Marquis Written in 1926 and published in 1976. He interviewed survivors from both the Indian and Soldiers. Read this book. Then you will understand why there were so many self-inflicted wounds and why Custer was only partially mutilated. My local library has it and yours may, too, so no need to pay so much for it. _______________ DSC NRA Benefactor | |||
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| One of Us |
Thanks - I guess I have a similar book - "Archaeology, History, and Custer's Last Battle" by Richard Fox 1993. I got it after seeing a TV special on the battle. I was initially inspired by a 1986 article in National Geographic that detailed the artifacts found after the 1983 prairie fire. Amazing how they could follow specific Indians movement throughout the battle from their shell casings. "Pick out two!" - Moe Howard | |||
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| one of us |
Well, I guess all good threads must come to an end! Peter Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; | |||
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| One of Us |
You must have stopped reading...the conversation continues! | |||
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| one of us |
Really, if one thinks about it, WTF difference does it make what is done to someone after they are dead? xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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| One of Us |
"In war, truth is the first casualty." Aeschylus. Interesting facts about Native American Scouts and their role. From the interpretive center exhibits.    | |||
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| One of Us |
Just finished a book about Custer, and according to the author Custer, by the time of the Little Bighorn had mixed feelings about killing the Indians, having observed how the US government had reneged on so many treaties. He continued as a Calvary man, due to having no other via employment options. It was a common concept in those days, to save one bullet for yourself (especially if you were female) due to the tortures inflicted by different tribes. The Ogalala Sioux were especially fierce. BH63 Hunting buff is better than sex! | |||
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| One of Us |
Many times mutilations are symbolic. It helps you understand the full story of the event from both sides - like why Custer's eardrums were pierced. Personally, I like knowing more than less. It's not a matter of THAT things were done, but WHY. But you can't know the WHY until you know the THAT. | |||
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| One of Us |
I recall seeing the eardrum piercing part in "Son Of The Morning Star" narrated by Buffy St. Marie. Well,there were no white men left to tell the tale so we have to take what we have at face value. lso the military records show an unusually high rate of suicide in the 7th (before LBH) the thought was that Custer was such an A.H. that the troops could'nt handle their duty under him. Perhaps,but then just then like now if you are a F.U.in the military,you don't get sent to a cushy job back east,you get in the path of danger.Makes sense actually. Never mistake motion for action. | |||
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| One of Us |
Whether Custer was mutilated or not is one of those things only Custer knows. In other pretty factual accounts from that time period, there evidently was a superstition among Indians concerning enemies commiting suicide. Various reports claim that if the indians saw an enemy kill themself, they would not touch the body. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
A perfect example of how knowing what happened helps understand the why. Deepens the story culturally. | |||
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| One of Us |
Interesting facts about US Army 7th Cavarly demographics at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. From the interpretive center exhibits.  | |||
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| One of Us |
During the Indian Wars, Germans and Irish were in the majority in the U.S. Cavalry, with Black troops, "Buffalo Soldiers" in the Southwest. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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One of Us |
Pick up A Road We Do Not Know by Frederick Chiaventone. Mike | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Other Topics Miscellaneous Topics Little Bighorn National Battlefield
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