The Battle of the Little Bighorn, Day 16, July 4, 2017

Happy 4th of July!!

Seems that a lot of other people had the same idea today to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield.  Yes, it was open and this park  cost us $10 to get into even though we have the senior park pass.  (I presume it is because it is located on reservation land).  Normal entrance is $20.  The price of admission was well worth it.  How incredible to walk in the same footsteps as some of our forefathers (both white and native American).  How difficult this battle must have been.  No shelter from the blistering hot sun (the battle was June 25th), the whites had to labor in heavy clothing (no lightweight, breathable material like we have nowdays).  The poor horses that perished here did so providing a shield between the Indians’ guns and the soldiers’ bodies. 

Here there are  lots of rolling hills and no place to hide from each other.  This was a huge problem for the white men as they were, in the end, on the defense in a place where the Indians knew their land.   Russ said that there were 2 or 3 medal of honor recipients from this battle and they were all guys who went to the river for water from Major Marcus A. Reno’s command (not the same guy who Reno, NV was named after, BTW) – boy did they deserve it as the water was between them and the Indians.  There were no medal of honor recipients from “Last Stand Hill” as there were no survivors.  In order to qualify for the Medal of Honor, your act has to be witnessed. 

The scene was dotted with gravemarkers that have been placed where remains (both Indian and White) have been found.  The remains were relocated to the large monument which is located at the top of the hill where Custer made his last stand.  There is also a very impressive monument to the Indian Nation that participated and died in this skirmish.



The entire thing was very sobering and most people who were visiting were very silent.  On this day especially, respect was given.

A shot of the Hill involved in Custer's Last Stand


 Markers where Fallen Soldiers were found.
Most of the NCO's are buried under the monument pictured above.


Deep Ravine - Up Which Indians Raced Slaughtering the Soldiers


The Trenches at the Battle of Little Big Horn




Comments

  1. JackieJuly 4, 2017 at 1:16 PM

    Looking forward to visiting! My grandfather met Custer when he was very young.

    ReplyDelete

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