'Little Bighorn Battlefield'

My name is Chris Oliver I’m from the UK and I have been to the battle site and was very moved by what I saw and heard. To be standing where just over a hundred years ago the 7th cavalry mere massacred is an experience that will live with me for ever. One can only imagine what was going though the minds of all those poor men facing overwhelming odds and knowing that they were going to die,

But believing in their General – Custer, the man of iron, the man who never lost. I have children of my own now and want to take them to visit the site as they are always asking me what happen to Custer - they love the films and books on this great man.

I have been to many battle sites all over the world and seen and heard the stories that have been told but I have yet to be told a story that has captured my imagination and moved me more that the story of the 7th cavalry and all those brave men who lost their lives at Little Bighorn on that day in June.

Anyone who has not been must go and see this place and take the time to say the lords words for the poor souls how lost their lives there.

I was invited

I was invited to read the names of all the fallen soldiers in company C. at the anniversary ceremony in 2001. I am a distant relative of Lt. Benny Hodgson who fell during the retreat across the river. I was unable to attend but finally made my way up some years later only to find that his marker had been desecrated by reservation indians. I sincerely hope that this matter has been addressed and steps have been taken to ensure this does not happen to any other markers of the fallen men who gave their lives so many years ago. Ben Hodgson

Custer's Last Stand at Little Big Horn

The Battle of Little Big Horn ended in a Native American victory for the Sioux and Cheyanne. General George Armstrong Custer and his 7th Calvary were completely destroyed in this battle, having largely underestimated the strength of the Native Americans. Today over 200 graves dot the hillside where the battle took place, a sore reminder of the bloody conflict between the whites and Native Americans. There is a Custer's Last Stand Reenactment that takes place annually in June.

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.