The Custer Battlefield: I am constantly amazed at the history of America, the people who have come here, those Americans of all races and religions who have helped to build this...

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I am constantly amazed at the history of America, the people who have come here, those Americans of all races and religions who have helped to build this country into the great country we are known for across the planet. Men and women of all beliefs have joined together to make America what it is today, the country on the planet that offers the most freedom and the most opportunity to do well for you and and your family.

This thought comes to me often as I tour the country and see great and famous places that we are known for. We are also blessed, as are all countries, for natural beauty across our land.

For me the Custer Battlefield or as Indians call it, The Battle of the Greasy Grass, is not an area of natural beauty except for maybe when the the wild flowers are in bloom and the grass is green. But the battlefield represents one day in American history, June 25th-26th, 1876, along the Little Big Horn River in SouthEastern Montana Territory. According to Wikipedia, the battle which resulted in the defeat of U.S. forces was the most significant action of the Great Sioux War of 1876. It was an armed engagement between the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Calvary Regiment of the United States Army.

I have been to the battlefield several times over the years and each time I am filled with sadness at the loss of life of those involved in the engagement but also of the beginning of the loss of culture of the Native Americans who fought in the battle.

The Custer Battlefield is also now a National Cemetery. Most of the tombstones you will see are not those who died at the Custer massacre but other servicemen who have died in other wars up to Vietnam that I noticed. I have posted a couple of gravestones that interested me, one of a USMC veteran and also a Medal of Honor recipient who died in the Indian Wars.

With that said I offer what I think are some of the important points of the battlefield. I hope you enjoy this series. Without getting political I am interested in other views on the battle.

Dennis

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joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

dennis2146 wrote:

I am constantly amazed at the history of America, the people who have come here, those Americans of all races and religions who have helped to build this country into the great country we are known for across the planet. Men and women of all beliefs have joined together to make America what it is today, the country on the planet that offers the most freedom and the most opportunity to do well for you and and your family.

This thought comes to me often as I tour the country and see great and famous places that we are known for. We are also blessed, as are all countries, for natural beauty across our land.

For me the Custer Battlefield or as Indians call it, The Battle of the Greasy Grass, is not an area of natural beauty except for maybe when the the wild flowers are in bloom and the grass is green. But the battlefield represents one day in American history, June 25th-26th, 1876, along the Little Big Horn River in SouthEastern Montana Territory. According to Wikipedia, the battle which resulted in the defeat of U.S. forces was the most significant action of the Great Sioux War of 1876. It was an armed engagement between the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Calvary Regiment of the United States Army.

I have been to the battlefield several times over the years and each time I am filled with sadness at the loss of life of those involved in the engagement but also of the beginning of the loss of culture of the Native Americans who fought in the battle.

The Custer Battlefield is also now a National Cemetery. Most of the tombstones you will see are not those who died at the Custer massacre but other servicemen who have died in other wars up to Vietnam that I noticed. I have posted a couple of gravestones that interested me, one of a USMC veteran and also a Medal of Honor recipient who died in the Indian Wars.

With that said I offer what I think are some of the important points of the battlefield. I hope you enjoy this series. Without getting political I am interested in other views on the battle.

Dennis

I am constantly amazed at the history of America, ... (show quote)

Very moving shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

joecichjr wrote:

Very moving shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Joe. I always find the battlefield a poignant place where I get to think of that battlefield and the horror it brought to the men who thought they were going up against a couple of hundred Indians and found out it was a couple of thousand. That must be why War is sad to be Hell. Amazing we can have feelings for people that died 145 years ago.

Dennis

L-Fox

dennis2146 wrote:

I am constantly amazed at the history of America, the people who have come here, those Americans of all races and religions who have helped to build this country into the great country we are known for across the planet. Men and women of all beliefs have joined together to make America what it is today, the country on the planet that offers the most freedom and the most opportunity to do well for you and and your family.

This thought comes to me often as I tour the country and see great and famous places that we are known for. We are also blessed, as are all countries, for natural beauty across our land.

For me the Custer Battlefield or as Indians call it, The Battle of the Greasy Grass, is not an area of natural beauty except for maybe when the the wild flowers are in bloom and the grass is green. But the battlefield represents one day in American history, June 25th-26th, 1876, along the Little Big Horn River in SouthEastern Montana Territory. According to Wikipedia, the battle which resulted in the defeat of U.S. forces was the most significant action of the Great Sioux War of 1876. It was an armed engagement between the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Calvary Regiment of the United States Army.

I have been to the battlefield several times over the years and each time I am filled with sadness at the loss of life of those involved in the engagement but also of the beginning of the loss of culture of the Native Americans who fought in the battle.

The Custer Battlefield is also now a National Cemetery. Most of the tombstones you will see are not those who died at the Custer massacre but other servicemen who have died in other wars up to Vietnam that I noticed. I have posted a couple of gravestones that interested me, one of a USMC veteran and also a Medal of Honor recipient who died in the Indian Wars.

With that said I offer what I think are some of the important points of the battlefield. I hope you enjoy this series. Without getting political I am interested in other views on the battle.

Dennis

I am constantly amazed at the history of America, ... (show quote)

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

l-fox wrote:

Thank you I-fox for the thumbs up.

Dennis

Zooman 1

Thank you for the fine photos of this site. I have never been there, but I have read many accounts of the battle(s). I wonder if we will ever know just what happened on that day. It certainly was a battle won and a war lost.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Zooman 1 wrote:

Thank you for the fine photos of this site. I have never been there, but I have read many accounts of the battle(s). I wonder if we will ever know just what happened on that day. It certainly was a battle won and a war lost.

Not to be contrary but there are any number of books and papers written on exactly what happened leading up to the battle, at the battle and after the battle. There are many accounts from Native Americans who participated in the battle as well as survivors of the battle on the Army side.

For simplification, General Custer received reports from his Indian scouts that there were Indians encamped at the Greasy Grass River, we know it as The Little Bighorn River. From the vantage point Custer could see a few hundred Indians. He ordered his troops to make contact toward the river as he went above them to attack from the other side of the camp. But his sighting of a few hundred Indians was faulty due to the lay of the land and his position. There were close to 1000-2000 Indians, maybe more, not just a couple of hundred. Custer and his main party were cut off and soon massacred. Other troops were able to take cover and lie low until they were able to get away. The battlefield goes for about 5 miles along the river where Indians pursued the troops and killed them when found. Tombstones are scattered along the prairie where the men fell as one of my photos depicts.

Thank you for taking a look and for your comments. Much appreciated.

Dennis

Zooman 1

In the last year or so I have found several books and or articles on the battle, events leading up to it and the investigations which followed the battle. By people who where there or somehow involved at the time with the investigations. There were differences in these documents as to what happened. I would imagine years from now there may still be differences on what happened.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Zooman 1 wrote:

In the last year or so I have found several books and or articles on the battle, events leading up to it and the investigations which followed the battle. By people who where there or somehow involved at the time with the investigations. There were differences in these documents as to what happened. I would imagine years from now there may still be differences on what happened.

I cannot disagree with you at all. Take any situation even today and you will find completely differing viewpoints even from witnesses who actually saw what happened. That is simply human nature taking over our brain to tell us what we think happened even though the reality may may be quite different. Add in the many years ago that the battle happened, the normal story telling or recollections of human beings to make the story sound better for their side and we are lucky to have anything at all in some cases.

But the facts in general are pretty much not disputed by most people I believe. There may be discrepancies on a small scale but generally speaking I think what happened is not much in dispute.

Dennis

Paul B. Loc: North Carolina

👍

Quixdraw Loc: x

I was there nearly 40 years ago, just before sunset - no sidewalks, no fences, a small museum, the terrain and the stones. Extraordinary, haven't gone again because I can't imagine bettering that experience. Thanks for the fine photos and reminder.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

quixdraw wrote:

I was there nearly 40 years ago, just before sunset - no sidewalks, no fences, a small museum, the terrain and the stones. Extraordinary, haven't gone again because I can't imagine bettering that experience. Thanks for the fine photos and reminder.

Thank you quixdraw. I recall the first time going, have no idea of the year but it was much different then without sidewalks etc. I still going from time to time to savor the history of the place. My photos have not changed much, maybe gotten a bit sharper or my eyes have gotten not so sharp.

The last time I was there, a few years ago it seems, there was a rattlesnake to greet me as I walked on one of the trails. I always knew they were around but didn't think much about traipsing through the tall grass etc. After seeing that little one I knew his mama and papa were there too. I will stay on the trails from now on.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Paul B. wrote:

👍

Thank you Paul for the thumbs up. Much appreciated.

Dennis

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I've been there twice. You depicted it well.

angler Loc: StHelens England

Interesting set Denis.