I never liked history in school, but I love it when history comes to life as it does with Custer's last stand. We arrived in Hardin, Montana in time to see a reenactment of Custer's last stand. The reenactment was staged about 30 miles from the actual battlefield but is one of the most historically accurate descriptions of the battle. The script is taken from notes made by Joe Medicine Crow now 98 years old, who was present at the reenactment and spoke before the battle began. His grandfather dictated to him what happened at Little Big Horn on that horrid day in June 25, 1876. The weather today is just like it was back then. Hot, windy, and dusty.
This has nothing to do with the reenactment, but the Budweiser Clydesdales put on a show prior to the reenactment. There's nothing better than a cold Bud on a hot windy day before a big battle!
Here's the Clydesdales.
Looks like they are headed to the Indian village!
They're headed back. Guess the Indians didn't want any beer!
Sorry, I digressed there for a minute. The reenactment started with Lewis and Clark crossing through Indian territory. The Indians help Lewis and Clark get through the winter and showed them how to get through the mountains.
Then the pioneers started heading west. As time went on, more and more settlers crossed the Indiansland and killed the buffalo. Finally, the Indians had enough and began attacking the wagon trains. Circle the wagons, we're being attacked!!
You can see the dust this fight kicked up.
Many treaties were made and broken. The US needed to expand in the west and the Indians were in the way. Custer, the boy general as he was called, was actually 36 years old in his final battle.
Here's a picture of Custer in his buckskins. He looks a little older than 36 here in this reenactment. Of course, he's been dead for 136 years!
Here's the battle, near the end.
It's over! It's all over! It was estimated it took about 45 minutes to kill Custer and his 220 solders. As the Indians said, the battle lasted "as long as it takes a hungry man to eat his meal".
The reenactment did not mention what the Indians did to the bodies. Since our blog is rated "G", we can't discuss it now. Well, it's really not "G" rated, but, this is a family blog.
The Indians have the flag of the 7th Calvary.
Here's Sean, brave enough to stand in front of some blood thirsty warriors.
June 23, 2012
The day after the reenactment, we went to the real battlefield at Little Big Horn. We were fortunate enough to be with John who has read many books about Custer and the battle at Little Big Horn. He also participated in a couple of archaeological digs at the battle field where he found a ring with the bone still inside. This is now on display at the Battlefield museum.
John took us on the Crow Reservation to see where Custer believed there was an Indian village and was moving in position to attack. He had no idea how many Indians had amassed in the area. Over a dozen tribes and several thousand warriors were gathering and ready to fight. Had Custer known the number of the Indians nearby, he would have certainly made other plans. Instead, he divided his forces with the intention of surrounding the Indian village. The Indians began attacking Custer and his 220 men. There was no cover available to protect the soldiers, so they shot their own horses for cover. But, to no avail. They were vastly out numbered and the Indians were armed with guns and plenty of ammunition. The battle took place in about 45 minutes over a stretch of a couple of miles. Reno and Benteen were not able to bring their troops to Custer's rescue as they were pinned down and couple of miles away.
These are a few of the battle field markers were bodies were actually found. You'll find these all over the battlefield.
Sean and Kitty at the Battlefield.
The monument tells the story of where the remains are buried.
The black marker is the spot were Custer died. Custer's brother and nephew were also killed in this battle.
Next to the battlefield is a National Commentary where soldiers from many wars are buried. Here's Sean, Victoria, John, and Ethan at the National Commentary.
Here is the grave of Marcus Reno, second in command under Custer. Reno and Benteen were able to escape after the Indians suddenly stopped fighting. Reno is from Illinois and died in 1887.
Well, that's the end of our Custer story. Our next blog covers our trip back to Illinois with stops in Wall, and Yankton. You won't believe what we did in Wall on our second visit there and you'll love to see Chief White Crane State Park in Yankton. Stay tuned. It's next!
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