Sharpshooter Ridge - Little Bighorn National Battlefield - Crow Agency, MT
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member gparkes
N 45° 31.818 W 107° 23.399
13T E 313379 N 5044641
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: WM6T5M
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 07/16/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member muddawber
Views: 15
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Sharpshooter Ridge

June 25 – 26, 1876 – From the ridge to your right, Custer first views the village. Needing more information about the extent of the encampment he moves further north. After witnessing the beginning of Reno’s charge, Custer’s five companies descend Cedar Coulee, the ravine to your immediate front. After Custer’s destruction, this promontory was occupied by Lakota and Cheyenne warriors who poured a deadly and accurate fire into Reno and Benteen’s besieged troops… thus the name Sharpshooter Ridge.

“The men were on the hill, we all gave them three cheers, riding at a full gallop, some of them couldn’t hold their horses, galloping past General Custer. He shouted at them, “Boys, hold your horses, there are plenty of them down there for us all.””

Sgt. Daniel Kanipe, Co. C, 7th Cavalry

“We first noticed several companies of soldiers about two miles east of our camp, marching along the bluffs in the direction of the lower end of our camp… they were mounted on white horses and it was a nice sight to see this parade across the river to our east.”

Gall, 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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