Pictures and Stories About Bicycle Side Adventures
Near the Little Bighorn River in Montana
Stands a Battle Monument Called the Battle of the Little Bighorn to White Man
and
the Battle of Greasy Grass Knoll (or just Greasy Grass) to Lakota and Plains Indians;
It Was Definately a Clash of Cultures but it was Caused by [White Man] Greed
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana
The First Four Images Had the Biggest Impact Upon Us
Interesting Facts
(Beyond School Yard Tales and Hollywood Western Movies)
Lt Col Custer was an Indian Agent for a brief time in the Dakota/Montana Territory and he appealed to his superiors to deliver food as promised. He, once, even went to Congress about the subject of food and starving Indians, with no result.
Lt Col Custer resolved many previous conflicts and uprising by capturing the Indian encampment while the Warriors [men of fighting age] were out and only the Women, Children, and Old-Ones had remained. Custer, more or less held the encampment in hostage while negotiations occurred. This behavior became Custer's Method of Operation [with 12-15 successes over time].
When Gold was discovered in the Dakotas (on Reservation Lands) there was no stopping White Men from staking claims and no stopping the things that always followed Gold Rushes (Claim Jumping, Gambling, Drinking, Robbery, Murder, Exploitation, Con Artists ..., all leading to many White People invading the lands). White Man conflicts with Indians ensued.
Brave after Brave left the Reservation to return to old ways, eventually it became a rebellion led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
Major General Crook was ordered to return the Indians to the Reservation [presumedly by President Andrew Jackson]. Crook set out with 3 columns (Brigades/Regiments), led by Brigadier General Gibbon, Brigadier General Terry, and Lt Col Custer acting in the role of Brevet (temporary/acting) General Custer leading the 7th Cavalry.
Long story short, Custer and his forward fighting element out ran their supplies (ammo, food and water for men and horses, and probably a few light cannons).
The night before discovery of the huge Indian Camp near the Little Bighorn River the Indians were introduced to the Ghost Dance. The Ghost Dance imbued the Dancers with protection against enemy weaponry (bullets). The Dance lasted into the early morning hours of the following day. The Warriors went to their respective tents and bedding areas early in the morning and slept through the typical morning ablutions.
Custer's Scouts found the main Indian encampment and reported that there were no men visible in the camp.
Custer led an advance with only the few men that were immediately available (the other Soldiers had already split into different directions for scouting purposes), most assuredly the advance would have been with the intent of capturing the encampment (thinking that only women and children were in the camp).
The men in the camp (hundreds) woke up and immediately went to arms and attack mode.
The rest is history.
7th Cavalry
Above: Looking WSW over the Greasy Grass Knoll, the Little Bighorn River, and the river valley. The Teepee encampment was located in the open field next to the thicket of trees.
Above: 7th Cavalry Monument for the Soldiers who died here.
Above Left: 7th Cavalry Monument for the Soldiers who died here.
Above Right: 7th Cavalry Placard for the Soldiers who died elsewhere from the same engagement, some on the following days.
Above: This is a partial image of a paiting in the Visitor's Center, called Custer's Last Stand.
Lakota and Plains Indians
Above Left: Lakota and Plains Indians.
Above Right: Lakota and Plains Indians Monument.
Above: Lakota and Plains Indians Monument.
Above: Lakota and Plains Indians Monument with a list of Nations, Tribes, and known Participants (in some cases a lone warrior from afar).
A National Cemetery
(Also located at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument)
Above: A National Cemetery covering many generations of fallen Americans.
