Re-enacting at the Little Big Horn

After travelling across half the world to attend and re-enact in this event, what I found was a farce and a grand case of political grandstanding on behalf of the organisers, and also an historical event that has been sold out to profiteers and shysters.

There are two so called re-enactments that take place in Hardin and Garryowen, Montana. Neither are worth the time and effort for the serious historian or living historian to see or take part.

The Realbirds own a piece of the Little Big Horn site, namely Medicine Tail coulee which Custer briefly made an appearance on, they charge $15.00 a head to tourists to come and see what they perceive as the accurate history of the battle. The "Indians" are all mostly Crow and are paid to attend the swamping of the Cavalry. Due to the ill feeling generated between the tribes no Lakota or Cheyanne are present.

The 7th cavalry is made up of mostly old men who have walked in and dress in whatever takes their fancy, the mounted side are mainly tourists that have paid the $2500 to experience a "blazing saddles" view of the West, complete with the chuck wagon and $10.00 plate of beans and franks. As an honest portrayal of 19th century uniforms and Native Americans you will get a better picture at Disney land.

From what I have been told the one in Hardin is not much better but a lot more accurate as to what happened.

For those of you that are thinking of re-enacting the Indian wars, I recommend a Google search for "Custer Clan" and take it from there.

Folks save your money and attend the 145th at Gettysburg, but I do recommend the actual Little Big Horn monument and museum, the rangers and staff really are top notch.