Posted on 06/25/2004 7:09:26 AM PDT by ijcr
Like the battle at the Alamo, the one fought at the Little Bighorn has entered the realm where history and legend merge. The basic facts are these: on June 25, 1876, seventh U.S. Cavalry troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer came upon history's largest known encampment of Indians beside the Little Bighorn River.
In the battle that followed, Custer and all the men with him—more than 260—were wiped out by the Sioux warriors of Chiefs Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse as well as Cheyenne warriors.
Ironically, the Native Americans' victory hastened their own downfall, as Custer's loss motivated the U.S. government to move even more aggressively against the Indians.
In a sense, Custer never died. Scores of books and movies have been dedicated to his "Last Stand," and even today the battlefield site is the subject of controversy.
Through the 1980s, the National Monument was called the Custer Battlefield, and events were interpreted in favor of Custer and his men.
In 1991 the Park Service changed the name to Little Bighorn Battlefield to introduce a more balanced interpretation of events. A memorial planned to commemorate the Indians who died in the battle promises a neutral interpretation, although its critics charge that it tips the scale too far the other way.
Gravestones mark the last stand of Custer and his men.
Did they ever change the name of of this place? From Custer Battlefield National Monument, I believe it was. The Lakota Sioux wanted it changed to Crazy Horse Battlefield or Sitting Bull Battlefield, since they were the winners.......
LBH is an abject lesson to all Military Leaders on what can and will go wrong on a battlefield.
It is now named Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
Why in the world does the Park need to get involved in championing one side or the other...seems like presenting the facts would be enough.
"and events were interpreted in favor of Custer and his men."
Kerry has even chimed in on this and said before Custer lost he actually won.
THE HistoryCHannel did a great forensic analysis of the battlefield in the past couple of years. It pretty much destroyed most of the previous accounts of what really happened.
If I remember correctly, they concluded Custer died in the first ten or fifteen minuts.
In memory of the gallant men of the 7th Cavalry:
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/stpats/garry-owen.htm
His reward was being sent to LBH without Gattlin guns. He foolishly threw his men into a fight where they were outnumbered 10-1.
Several times in the preceeding years, Custer did have great military victories. LBH is a cruel, and absurd choice to be his memorial.
Also known, BTW, as "The Bivouac of the Dead"
Custer: What's the bad news?
Scout: We're surrounded by Indians and we're all going to die.
Custer: What's the good news?
Scout: We don't have to ride back through Nebraska.
And you are correct, Custer and much of the leadership fell early, which led to a complete loss of command and Control of the battlefield. It was the key thing to the massacre of the 7th.
"The warriors of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull were eventually rounded up by -- count 'em -- six Royal Canadian Mounties and moved to a reservation somewhere out in what is now Alberta or Saskatchewan."
Ahem... Let me get this straight: The implication is that 6 Canadian Mounties are better than 260 members of the U.S. 7th Cavalry?
I'm a big fan of plain speech. So, correct me if I'm wrong in my interpretation of your message?
Custer was the only man in the battle who got what he deserved. His ego bit him on the butt big time!
Even when I first heard this story as a child, I wondered WHY is custer revered instead of simply ignored as an stupid arrogant fool who had all his troops killed.
His name should be erased from history except in the war colleges to teach what NOT to do.
The Indians ran out of ammo?
Actually, if you review the battle, about 1/2 of the force was preserved due to the efforts of Custer's subordinate commanders Reno and Benteen. Their defense site is incredably well preserved and their story dramatic. The only ones really 'wiped out' were those who rode north with Custer.
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