Custer’s Advance - Little Bighorn National Battlefield - Crow Agency, MT
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member gparkes
N 45° 31.557 W 107° 23.023
13T E 313854 N 5044143
This is a Historical Marker located in Little Bighorn National Battlefield . A series of markers are located throughout the park to give a good understanding of battle movements and history.
Waymark Code: WM6T54
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 07/16/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member muddawber
Views: 10
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Custer’s Advance

From the Crow’s Nest, a vantage point 14 miles away in the Wolf Mountains, Custer’s Crow and Arikara scouts saw evidence of the massive Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho encampment. Convinced that he was discovered, Custer abandoned plans for a reconnaissance and a delayed attack. He divides his forces into four groups along Reno Creek deciding to strike the village before it could scatter. As Custer’s battalions approach the Little Bighorn Valley, he orders Major Marcus Reno with approximately 175 soldiers and scouts to cross the river and charge. Custer with approximately 225 soldiers and scouts, veered to the northwest and appear on the ridge to your left for their first view of the village.

”Major Reno’s battalion marched down a valley that developed into the south branch of a small tributary to the Little Bighorn… the Indian trail followed the meanderings of this valley. Custer’s column followed Reno’s closely, bearing to the right and rear. The pack train followed their trail. Benteen’s battalion was ordered to the left and front.”

– Lt. Edward Godfrey, Co. K, 7th Cavalry

“I saw a cloud of dust rise beyond a ridge of bluffs in the east. The morning was hot and sultry. Several of us Indian girls were digging wild turnips… we girls looked towards camp and saw a warrior ride swiftly, shouting that soldiers were only a few miles away, and that the women and children, including old men, should run for the hills in the opposite direction.”

– Moving Robe Woman, Hunkpapa Lakota

Describe the area and history:
The Battle of the Little Bighorn occurred on June 25 and June 26, 1876, starting with the troops of the 7th Cavalry entering on horseback in to the region. Plans were for the Cavalry to split into three groups to surround the Indian village, and force a surrender. What took place was a series of delays and tactical errors, poor luck on the behalf of the Army, and superior numbers of warriors. The conclusion of two days of battle was 263 dead troopers. Protection of the area began almost immediately. In 1879, Congress designated the area a National Cemetery. In 1946, President Truman designated the area as Custer Battlefield National Monument. In 1991, in keeping with the modern philosophy of historical accuracy, the area was re-designated as Little Big Horn National Battlefield. Original stone markers are scattered throughout the park, indicated the location of fallen troops. Indian tribes took away and buried their own dead. Over the past couple decades, an intertwining of the Indian history has occurred, allowing a more respectful remembrance of where significant warrior deaths occurred. "The Memorial" located at Last Stand Hill, is where the soldiers were buried in a mass grave. The officers were taken east to be buried in National Cemeteries, such as Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as Captain Thomas Custer, George Custer's younger brother. Lt. Col. George A. Custer was buried at West Point.

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