Little Big Horn Battlefield

[Johnny McCrae]

Please click on this link for a slide show of the Little Big Horn Battlefield in Montana.

http://w278.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Little%20Big%20Horn%20Battlefield/74e11ec1.pbw

These pictures were taken during a recent motorcycle trip out to Sturgis, Wyoming and Montana.

[Major 2]

Great stuff...thanks

two questions ...do you know who was doing the Living History ( Display outside ) I have two good friends and several aquaintance's that volunteer their personal collection on weekends there.

and ...the Flint Trade musket in the glass case,  is it attributed to a named Native American ?


Oh ! and one more, how was Sturgis this year

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Major,

Glad you liked the slide show.

I'm not sure who the actual collection belongs but Park Rangers do put on a show about the battle. They were able answer questions about the display outside. The Henry is not an original but a reproduction

The musket inside the glass case is attributed to a Native American. It is a Hudson Bay Company trade item.

Sturgis was not as crowded like past years. I've been to 19 of the last 20 Sturgis rallies. Now my Sturgis just consists of a ride down main street on my way back from Montana and Wyoming.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Nice pictures, pard.

Slim

[River City John]

Great slide show, Johnny. Thanks for sharing it.

I got the impression that quite a bit of the display outdoors was reproduction.

RCJ

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Great pictures!

That's a trip I always wanted to take on my bike: Sturgis and the Little Big Horn.  Maybe someday...

Interesting story about the marker that says that Custer was buried at West Point-- a couple of years after the battle when Col. Sheridan went to the site and dug up the marked burial of Custer, then removed the remains for shipment, they discovered a corporal's blouse/insignia under it. So reputedly they picked out another body.  Who or how isn't crystal clear, but it was only a partial skeleton, as I recall.  Which is strange because Custer was one of the only troopers who wasn't mutilated after death. He just had 2 bullet wounds (one in the chest, one in the head).  Furthermore, according to some accounts, many of the graves had been looted by scavenger/relic hunters, including Custer's, so Sheridan gathered some bones and boxed them.  The burial party was largely silent about this, in deference to Custer's wife, Libbie, and the other soldiers' wives.

Also, the trooper who claims to have buried Custer (next to his brother, Tom) said that it was one of the most elaborate graves. It was a foot and a half deep and they wrapped both bodies in canvas and blankets. Covering them with dirt, they then took an Indian travois basket and placed it over the grave. Finally, they placed stones on the basket.  Had Sheridan's burial party discovered such a burial it surely would have been reported. It was not.

So who is buried in Custer's grave?

[Will Ketchum]

Very Nice Johnny!  I was there 101 years and 1 day after the fight.  I have always wanted to go back.  When I was there I could feel the fear that seemed to linger on the battle field.

Will Ketchum

[FEATHERS]

G'Day Johnnie,I am planning a trip to the LBH next June,coming from Australia can you suggest any sites for info on places to stay & such.Thanks Feathers

[Will Ketchum]

If your coming all the way from Australia be sure to stop at Cody Wyoming and visit the Plains Indian Museum and the Winchester  Museum.  You might want to plan on spending more than a day there.

Will Ketchum

[FEATHERS]

G'Day Will,I was planning on visiting Cody & Sheridan then heading up to Billings & base myself there.Feathers

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Feathers,

Will Ketchum has given you some great advice. You will definitely want to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody Wyoming and you could easily spend more than a day there.

Are you traveling by auto or motorcycle? There is some spectacular mountain scenery in the area.

I will send you a PM with more information.

[saddlebuster]

Johnny great pictures!!  Feathers your getting some great advice here.  I have been lucky enough to have been to the battlefield 3 times.  Once prior to, and twice following the change in management at the Little Big Horn.  A few years ago they turned the management of the museum over to the tribes.  They are doing an excellent job (in my opinion) of running the museum and adding the natives point of view to the history.  I now live in the great State of Texas, so I don't get to go as often.  So, don't forget to come see the Alamo and Fort Worth too Feathers!