LBH 3

These images are all from the last day of the tour. On Saturday, we'd started exploring the National Battlefield. We'd seen where Lt. Col. Custer had first learned of the Indian camp, and where his commanders Reno and Benteen had been split off and separated. We'd begun to understand a little of the landscape, its vast undulations and rolling hills, not to mention all the ravines. This day was reserved for understanding the mistakes made on both sides, and why it has such a place in American history.


From here, you can see across the river to where the Indian camp was in place. Ed and Jerry tag team the battlefield story, each lending a particular angle and expertise to the story.


These markers show were several of the Indians fell. The white marble markers are the scouts of the U.S. Cavalry. The red granite markers are of the Indian warriors. These actually do not represent their actual places of rest on the battlefield, but have been moved from further down this ravine.


We didn't make this walk down the hill last year. This is where McKeough's battalion fell, evidently on their way to try to join up with Lt. Col. Custer on what is now called 'Last Stand Hill.' The markers spread out all along this ridge, about 50 in total.


This is the monument to the U.S. Cavalry on Last Stand Hill. Many of the soldiers are buried in the land surrounding this marble marker. The officers were removed; some are in the newer battlefield cemetery, others at other cemeteries across the country, including at West Point. Below, a relative? Not too many Van Allens, actually.



This next set is of the Indian memorial, dedicated just a few years ago. It is a compromise, representing all the Native people who fought in this battle, whatever side. Personally, I like it very much. I think it's beautiful. The first few images are of the large sculpture, and the last few give a sense of the panels that surround the other side, one for each culture group.








These last few images are the walk into 'Deep Ravine.' This was the end of the fight for the U.S. Cavalry, as they tried to retreat to the river and the trees. You can really see the ravines, the steepness of the terrain, the impossibility. It's a beautiful walk, and I feel is the best way to really get a sense of the place and the history.