Little Bighorn

In the valley of the Little Bighorn River, over two days in June 1876, Lt. Colonel George Custer, his officers, some 260 U.S. Army soldiers fought and died along with about 80 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors.  The land here is now a National Monument and is part of the US Department of the Interior's National Park Service.  We spent a day visiting the surrounding area, the town of Garryowen and the Battlefield.

The Battle of The Little Bighorn was fought near Garryowen, Montana

Busts of Sitting Bull, Lt. Col. Custer and the Tomb of the Unknown
Near Sitting Bull's Camp

Sitting Bull

Touring the battlefield at Little Bighorn was as moving as the visit to Gettysburg had been for me two years ago.

Little Bighorn Battlefield is a very solemn place.  Nice wide paths allow visitors to walk onto the wide open fields and a five mile drive gives everyone a chance to explore the full length of the battlefield.  Smoking is not allowed anywhere on any of the grounds. Animals, even on leash, are not allowed and walking outside the paths is also prohibited. Violators are prosecuted.

It was warm and the sun was bright the day we visited. The dry grass on the battlefield was gold colored.

The valley below is where the Indians were camped.

Research and battleground exploration have yielded enough evidence to place markers
where soldiers and Indian warriors are likely to have fallen. 

Rose colored granite markers are placed where the Indian warriors probably died.











Memorials to Those Who Died

Seventh Cavalry Memorial 

 Native American Memorial