Images from Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

Of course, as most of you know, Little Bighorn is the site of an ill-fated battle in July of 1876 between the U.S. Army’s Seventh Cavalry and Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arrapaho tribes. The Army had been campaigning to move these Natives to reservation lands and became aware that they had assembled a large encampment on the Little Bighorn River. Lieutenant Colonel George Custer, thinking that his own movements had been exposed, decided to ambush them with little knowledge of their size or military capability. He ordered Major Reno and his attachment to make the initial charge, but Reno was unable to find the temporary village. Instead, he engaged with a smaller encampment that consisted entirely of Sioux warriors. Almost immediately overwhelmed, Reno was joined by Captain Benteen’s column, who likely saved Reno and his men. Meanwhile, what we know of Custer and his “Last Stand” is largely conjecture because none of his battalion (perhaps numbering 210 men) survived the fight. It is believed that Custer descended on the main fighting body near the river (perhaps numbering 500 warriors), but completely outmatched, attempted to retreat to higher ground. Near the top of what it now known as Custer Hill, Custer and approximately fifty to sixty of his remaining men were overrun and overwhelmed. It is believed that Custer’s battalion was annihilated in less than forty-five minutes. When you visit the site today, a very nice visitor center will provide much information — and ranger talks — about the battle. A driving loop (complete with audio narration) and numerous walking trails will take you out onto the grounds. If visiting in the summer, it is generally very warm so it’s best to visit in mornings or late afternoons.