Little Bighorn Battlefield
One of the most important fights between the government and Native Americans is preserved at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in southern Montana. They fought over land, over power, and fundamentally over respect. Little Bighorn Battlefield became a National Cemetery in 1879 and a National Monument on March 22, 1946. more info
June 25th and 26th, 1876 are the dates of the memorable and historic Battle of Little Bighorn. Northern plains Indians fought and defeated U.S. soldiers above the valley of the Little Bighorn River. Resisting life on reservations, these Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne Indians called the Black Hills home, survived off of the many free ranging buffalo and considered the land sacred. An overwhelming number of miners and settlers began to arrive in the Black Hills as word spread in 1852 that gold was discovered in the area. Indians felt threatened as their land and food were slowly taken over and in resistance many began attacking the intruders. A treaty was finally created between the government and the northern plains Indians in 1868 which designated most of the land in the area U.S. property and restricted Indians to the Great Sioux Reservation. Many Indians did not sign the treaty, continuing to live as they were and 'roam free.' In 1875 the government threatened these free roaming Indians. They were given until January of the following year to be within the reservation or they would be forced there. In May 1876 the government had to follow through with their threat and advanced to the Black Hills from three directions to find free roaming Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.
Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th cavalry from North Dakota. They were the only group to actually find and fight the large group of free roaming Indians led by Chief Sitting Bull on June 25th. Custer largely underestimated the strength and skill of the Indians and unfortunately for them, Custer split his regiment of 586 troops into three groups. He immediately led one of these groups to attack the Indians so that they would not escape. The two other portions of his regiment could hear the battle from a distant point but had mistaken the sounds of gunshots to represent Custer as advancing. Custer, however, and 210 of his men lost their lives to over 1500 Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Indians. Less than 100 Indians were killed.
Despite their victory, the northern plains Indians ironically did not go on to living free lives. Many battles followed the next winter and finally Crazy Horse, a key warrior, and over 900 of his followers surrendered. They were told they would be given food, clothing, and blankets if they surrendered.
The Battle of Little Bighorn Battlefield is an important site that holds much historical and emotional power. If you are traveling either to or from Cody, Wyoming this monument is not to be missed. It bisects US 212 between the Black Hills and Yellowstone. From Cody head north on WY 120, which merges with MT 72, until I-90. Drive east on I-90 until exit 510 to Little Bighorn Battlefield.
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