Custer Battlefield and Devils Tower

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The Little Bighorn is a small tributary of the Bighorn River flowing through the prairie grasslands of southwestern Montana. On June 25, 1876, on a ridge over this little river, was fought one American history's most legendary battles. "Boy Wonder" General George Armstrong Custer (at 25, he is the youngest man ever to attain the rank of Major General) and about 245 soldiers from his 7th Cavalry were killed in a battle with a much larger force of Cheyenne and Lakota Indians. It was a battle that lasted almost all day, beginning down near the river and culminating on Last Stand Hill, where Custer and about 45 of his men made their desperate stand.
At the visitors center, we listened to a park ranger's presentation describing the events leading up to the battle, and how the battle developed and culminated. This really made our tour of the battlefield much more interesting and meaningful. The battlefield has been marked with headstones denoting where each soldier and many of the indians fell. When touring the area, it is pretty easy to see how the battle developed and gradually worked its way up the hill. When we toured the battlefield, there were very few people around, and it gave us an eerie feeling to think we were walking around where all this action took place, and and looking at the actual spot where each man died. Although the indians decisively won this battle, it marked the end of the free-ranging nomadic lifestyle they were fighting to preserve.

About 200 miles to the southeast in the northwest corner of Wyoming is an unusual igneous rock formation called Devils Tower. Its sheer walls rise 1,267 feet above the relatively flat terrain that surrounds it, making it a prominent landmark visible for many miles. Scientists can't agree on how it was actually formed. It is the subject of many indian myths and legends, and is still considered to be sacred ground by some of the tribes. One interesting event in the Tower's history occurred in 1941, when a stunt parachutist landed on top of the Tower. the airplane returned and dropped him the rope and other gear necessary to get down the sheer cliffs. Unfortunately, the equipment drop missed the Tower completely, and the parachutist spent six days on top of the tower before climbers were able to get to him and bring him down. We spent the night in a campground right at the base of the Tower. It really has a powerful presence, and it is pretty easy to understand the attraction it has for serious climbers.

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Photos

Battlefield Monument
The remains of about 220 of Custer's men are buried in a mass grave under this monument. The remains of the officers were removed to cemeteries throughout the country.

The Little Bighorn River
Along this river was an Indian encampment of about 1,500 Teepees, a much larger force than Custer had expected.

Last Stand Hill
This is where General Custer and about 40 of his soldiers died. Surrounded by hundreds of Cheyenne and Lakota (Sioux) warriors, they shot the horses and used them as their only cover from the arrows and rifle fire.

View from the Top of Last Stand Hill
As you can see, the terrain offered little protection for the soldiers. Access to the trees visible in the background had been cut off by the Indians.

Custer's Headstone
This is not a tombstone, but a marker denoting the spot where the body was found. Custer's remains are buried at West Point.

Scene of another Battle earlier in the Day
Note the headstones marking where soldiers fell.

Devils Tower
Seen from about a mile away.

Prairie Dog Village near Devils Tower
There were hundreds of these little critters scurrying around in this field.

Hi-Tech Tricycle
This guy was staying in our campground at Devils Tower. Note the battery and solar panel he uses to power his audio system.