On July 28th, the Hubster and I visited Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Park in Montana. There is much written about the battle that occurred here on June 25-26, 1876, so I won’t go into that here.
Much is unknown, and is still being researched and debated by archeologists, historians, and scholars.
Not all that fought and died here have been recovered. Many unrecovered and recovered remains are nameless.
I do know that there are no winners here. Many events that occurred in our past are not pleasant. The best that we can hope for is that we have learned from them.
Custer National Cemetery is located here, where many soldiers who participated in various battles and wars over the years are buried.
*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!
The park has done an excellent job of guiding you as you walk/drive the paths of this seemingly desolate and endless terrain of bluffs, coulees and ravines.
There are booklets, signboards, and rangers and audio tours to tell you where you are standing and what happened on that spot.
For a quick overview, I’ll begin with the small town of Garryowen where the opening gunshots of the battle were fired only a few hundred yards from where Garryowen’s structures stand today.
(For the lyrics to Garryowen, the 7th Cavalry’s regimental song, click here and here.)
The remains of an unknown soldier, under Major Reno’s or Captain Benteen’s command, was found 50 years after the battle. Following entombment with full military honors, a “Burying the Hatchet” ceremony was held with US government and Indian representatives.
The simple map is a great way to get one’s bearings.
The photo below shows where the Indians were encamped. The trees are lining the Little Bighorn River. The bluffs beyond contain Last Stand Hill.
Driving back to the national cemetery, a short walk from the parking area takes one to Last Stand Hill. The 7th U.S. Cavalry Memorial is here, erected in 1881.
As well as memorial markers for those who fell last upon this hill.
Nearby is the 7th Cavalry Horse Cemetery.
As well as the Indian Memorial, dedicated in 2003.
See the world around you!
LC's Cottage 
Thanks for sharing the photos with us. The photos look clear and crisp to me, so not sure what WP is doing that you are seeing?
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All of the photos are displaying larger than they used to, even though I haven’t changed the setting when I insert them. Not a big deal, I guess. 🙂
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Wow. Having just read about this battle recently, your photos really bring everything to life. Or reality. Have we learned from the past? That is open for interpretation, I guess. I want to hope that we have. Thanks for sharing these with us! I’m looking forward to Part 2. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
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Thanks Roseanne! Yes, that is very much open to interpretation! We definitely want a better world for our kids/grandkids!
I am very encouraged that you are enjoying my ‘what I did on vacation’ photos! 🙂
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Pingback: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Park Part 2 | LC's Cottage
Interesting historical stop. I had no idea there was a horse cemetery too. Hope you visited some happy places too.
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Oh yes…the happiest! We visited our daughter and her fam…we had grandkid time! Loved it! 🙂
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That’s great! Years ago we went to Germany and visited a concentration camp. I will never forget it.
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Heartbreaking!
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Beautiful and sad at the same time – thank you for sharing! xoxo
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I agree. 🙂
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