See The USA - Day 10 - Hardin, MT
July 11, 2005 - We left for the Little Big Horn Battlefield about 9:30. It's an amazing story of what went on there. It seems our "Military Intelligence" was no better in 1876 than it is now. Custer was advised that there were only about 400 warriors at Little Big Horn. Try 2000 warriors and 8000 more Indians. He had roughly 400 men. I'd say he was a "bit" outnumbered.

The Ranger who gave the talk (actually a Professor at a Texas University) gave a well...entertaining description of the Battle of Little Big Horn. Let's just say he "got into it".

A REAL teepee and relics from the time period.

The hill above is "Last Stand Hill" where Custer and the remaining men died.

These markers are not graves. They mark the spot where each died. The black one in the middle is where General George Armstrong Custer was found dead. These markers are scattered all over the hills. They all read "7th Cavalry US Soldier Fell Here, June 25, 1876"

This is the monument where the soldiers were buried in a mass grave. Except for the officers. They were later moved. Custer is buried at Arlington.

What a view from the top of the hill!

This picture is at the end of the five mile drive out to the end of the battlefield. The tree grove below is where the Indian village was that Custer attempted to attack.

This monument shows where the the 7th cavalry was massed before the attack.

This monument was for the fallen Indians during the attack. Let me tell you there weren't many!

Back at the campground now...Lady worked hard to dig up this rock. If you've never seen the movie "The Long Long Trailer" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, you won't get this but we wrote the city and date on this rock and put it in the basement of the trailer. Mom will get the joke!

Total Miles driven today: 54
Today's Avg MPG 16.7
Total Trip Miles: 2450
Today's Notes: We stopped at the Little Big Horn Trading Post. Debbie's still looking for an "authentic" Indian blanket. They had them alright. Made in India. Needless to say, we still don't have one to bring back.
Tomorrow's Plans: We're headed for the Missoula, MT area for an overnight stop and then on to Washington State through the top of Idaho.
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