 |
 |
The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument memorializes one of the last armed efforts of the last armed efforts of the Northern Plains Indians to preserve their traditional way of life against the encroachment of the white civilization. In the valley of the Little Bighorn River in June of 1876, 263 soldiers and attached personnel of the U.S. Army met death at the hands of an overwhelming number of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The dead were Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and every member of his immediate command.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn was but the latest encounter in a centuries-old conflict between Indian and white cultures. This confrontation intensified on the Northern Plains in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The 7th Cavalry, about 600 men, located the Indian village at dawn on June 25th. Custer, probably underestimating the size and strength of the village, divided his regiment into three battalions. He retained five companies under his personal command while assigning three companies each to Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Ben teen. One company was assigned to guard the slow-moving pack train with the supplies and arms in the rear.
Benteen was ordered to scout the bluffs to the south, while Custer and Reno moved toward the village in the valley of the Little Bighorn River. Approaching the valley, Custer ordered Reno to cross the river and attack. Custer then turned toward the lower end of the village.
Unknown to the soldiers, this huge encampment (est. 7000 Indians) with a large number of warriors advanced to confront him. Forming a skirmish line, Reno attempted to make a stand, but was soon forced to retreat to high bluffs beyond the river. He was soon joined by Ben teen, who had relieved written orders from Custer to "Come on, big village, be quick, bring packs."
The whereabouts of Custer and his command was unknown. Heavy gunfire to the north indicated that he was under attack. Reno and Ben teen advanced toward the firing but were unable to reunite with Custer. They fell back to Reno Hill where they were besieged by the Indians for two days, suffering heavy casualties.
No word had been received from Custer since the battle began. Scouts from Terry were the first to discover the fate of Custer and his men. On the bluffs east of the Little Bighorn River, four miles north of Reno Hill, Custer and his entire five company battalion of 210 men lay in death.
The great Lakota Sioux under the command of the Sitting Bull and Cheyenne confederation dispersed soon after the victory. It was the last of the great Indian wars against the whites.
Today you can see the monument dedicated to those of the 7th Cavalry.
|
|