Last Friday we got to walk the Little Bighorn Battlefield which is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid. It is not impressive in the way Gettysburg is but in its own way it is raw, rustic and tragic.
The battle took place over 5 miles along "battle ridge" and culminated in the "last stand" on the hill shown below.
This shot shows the view from the hill towards the river and the plains beyond where 8,000 Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians were camped in a village at least one and a half miles long. Of these a minimum of 2,000 were warriors. Part of Custer's force had initial contact near the river and were forced to retreat up to ridge to the hill.
Adjacent to the 7th Cavalry Monument is the Indian Memorial.
In contrast to the white marble headstones which mark locations where soldiers fell, the Indian markers are in red granite.
Near the Ranger Station there is a display comparing the Indian accommodation and equipment with the Cavalry kit.
The inevitable Trading Post is located near the entrance to the park.
It was a very interesting visit and well worth the drive from Billings , Montana.
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