i have been there twice. the second time was june 25 1991. i wondered why it was fairly busy on a tuesday until it hit me that it was the 125th year anniversary of the battle. since the area is relatively the same as when the fight occurred you do get that surreal feeling. one of the workers confided in me that very few of them like being there after dark. i asked why, and she just gave a faint smile but said nothing.
One of the lone markers, I think ip on one of the knolls, was for Sgt. Butler. They found his body with carbine casings littered around his body. He supposedly put up a hell of a fight. There are Indian accounts of a lone wounded trooper who stood up near or at the end of the battle, and just started firing at warriors, killing several until he was outflanked and killed. I think Chief Gall said the warriors couldn't close on Butler for a while, bc of his volume of fire. Sgt. Butler was known marksman in the 7th cavalry. That's a badass right there. I hope that story has truth
@@stephenmcdonald7908 The only Butler killed at the Little Big Horn was 1st Sgt James Butler,born Albany,New York to both Irish parents.Nowhere can I find to say he was British or fought with the Hussars.
@@louisavondart9178 Butler was an experienced soldier and marksman. He was carrying a Springfield 1873 trapdoor carbine, not a Spencer. A skilled soldier could load, fire, eject, and reload very fast; although certainly not as fast as the repeating Henrys and Winchesters that many warriors carried. Chief Gall describes a lone trooper on a distant knoll. Butler, in a distant elevated position, could have been deadly pest to those warriors; till they reached him. Experience, good fundamentals, and marksmanship can easily outclass superior numbers and technology
I have visited the battlefield several times over the past 50 years. It holds very special spiritual feelings for me. I am a Blackfeet Indian by heritage. I'm very proud of that. I can also appreciate the horror of the battle on both combatants sides. I believe strongly that Custer was seeking glory that day and led his men into their fateful sudden demise. Two Moons, a Cheyenne Chief was quoted, "the battle happened as fast as a hungry man would take to eat his dinner."
From what I have read Custer was not himself at the time of the battle. He had been arrested early before the battle by order of president USGrant. Some feel he was trying to redeem his valor and military status. Who knows . All in all it was a devastating battle for both sides. They say the native Americans were never the same after this battle. Sad history never to be undone. Good post thank you.😊
Just discovered your channel. Very well put together and very interesting. Just became your newest subscriber. Decades ago, I accidently spent the night in Custers battlefield, trapped by a lightening storm with my motorcycle, I rode into a field of tall grass and set up camp. That night the wind roared and the lightening flashed which thrilled and terrified me. In the morning I seen the markers as I rode off. Was like camping while a ghostly battle ragged. My Great, Great, great grandfather, Chief Bad Whirlwind is said, in our family, to have been there at the battle, Rosebud Sioux.
Great video! The best realistic topographical map study of the battlefield I've ever seen. It makes it so much easier to understand the lay of the land, and where the bodies were found. No doubt in that large area there are still bodies and personal artifacts that have yet to be found, and probably never will be. The only question I have is: what about the Reno battlefield across the river? Has that been excavated as well? There's definitely a lot of history and artifacts buried over there too.
I have watched all of your videos. All well done with a professional quality. Please keep them coming, with hopes that you get more well deserved subscribers.
Thank you! I’m trying to get better with every video and I’m experimenting with different techniques. Let me know what’s working and what you think could be done better
An interesting topic of the Little Big Horn, I had always been under the impression that the markers actually marked where bodies were found, and while there were many unknowns, those markers with names are where identified were found.
Generally, I think it's more accurate to take the groupings of markers as evidence where groups of soldiers fell (instead of tying one soldier to one exact marker) except where there's obvious archaeological or historical evidence that ties a particular person to a spot. I'll have an example of this coming up in a future video. Thanks for watching!
Very nice explanation. This is a unique place. I walked around many markers on mostly designated paths sometime on visiting in the 1980s. A week before a grass fire had swept over much of the area which left a haunting appearance to it all. As I understand many artifacts have been exposed over the years following grass fires.
This is a superb video with a very innovative overhead illustration of the markers. I really like how you identified the markers and gave commentary. Wish it was longer :)
Another excellent video, thanks. I visited the battlefield in 2020, fulfilling a bucket list item as I have always been fascinated with the fight. It was eerie and powerful to be there where it happened. The area was smaller than I imagined. I hope to go back when I have more time to explore.
The actual battle stretched out for over 4 miles. It was interesting to see how far the markers stretched out for. Your right, it's a very eerie place.
I donated a small amount of money back in the late 1980s to help preserve the battlefield, and am the proud owner of a Deed of Trust that states "Know all men that 200 square feet of native grassland in the Valley of the Little Bighorn have been designated in your name." I didn't make much money back then, but I wanted to preserve history. I used to receive publications, due to my small donation, and kept one, in particular, that spells out the forensic evidence of how the archeologists were able to positively identify Custer Scout, Mitch Boyer, and Reno Sgt Miles O'hara. The publication is entitled "Greasy Grass, A Day of Legend-When Courage and Destiny Meet", published by Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association, Volume 4, Annual for the Battlefield Dispatch, May 1988. There are several other historically significant articles within that annual. I have never been to the battle site and it is on my list of places to visit. I usually hunt obscure battle and ambush sites in Arizona during the Apache Wars, since they are closer to me, but I'll chase American History wherever my vehicle takes me! Thanks again, for yet another great historical video.
In that area of the country there are flash floods from intense rainstorms. Anything in Deep Ravine almost 150 years ago would likely have been washed away or buried deeply from erosion of the sides of the ravine over time. Excellent video and obviously well researched.
There are recognized Unknown Soldiers from most of our wars/ conflicts prior to the Vietnam war. Descendant Societies (DAR, SAR, SUV, SCV, etc) lay wreaths and care of them. In my first few years in the Army, I was fortunate to have the opportunity and the ability to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1978-79. I am the 206th recipient of the very rare and extremely hard to earn Tomb Guard Identification Badge. As we say: "Soldiers never die until they're forgotten; Tomb Guards never forget."
I, like a million others, have visited the Custer battlefield. We spent two days there. I find it incredible that anyone would find ANY of these markers to be completely accurate. That's ludicrous. This battle occurred in 1976! Please, it was years later, with crude implements, that these sites were identified. No one should be surprised if there are inaccuracies. The battlefield itself, stretched over a three or four mile area is expansive. We're lucky to have what we do have. We visit a lot of national parks, but I found this one particularly interesting and beautiful in it's unique way. The artifacts at the Custer Battle Field museum are incredible. Do people know that Custer was completely disgusted with the Indian agents sent out from Washington DC that were stealing funds and food intended for the Indians? He testified before congress on this and became 'personna non grata' within the Grant administration. He was punished with an assignment to the far western region of the US. His brother, who died at The Little Big Horn also, Tom Custer is the holder of "two" Congressional Medals of Honor for his service during the Civil War. There is so much more to this story than the urban legends surrounding it. George Custer's wife Libby spent the rest of her life trying to clear her husband's name and some of the false information spread afterwards. It's one hell of a piece of history.
Having visited the site, spending a whole day there…I praise this video..only wishing the videographer would SLOW DOWN and allow a bit more time to absorb each feature and comment. Otherwise, THANK YOU for the excellent presentation. Much enjoyed the reminisce.
Keogh's force seemed to maintain relative cohesion during the battle. He died with many of his men in close proximity, and apparently was still riding his mount, Comanche, who was recovered alive by U. S. troops and had a wound on him corresponding with one in Keogh's leg.
I am one of the many who could read about or watch videos about this battle at any excuse. I really like the way you present your "story" and evidence in a clear and logical way. Yes, I am subscribed.
Excellent work and a great video, thank you very much. A tip for editors everywhere... on every map in human history, THE TOP OF THE PAGE IS NORTH!!!!!!!!!! Disorienting a map makes it confusing and virtually impossible to comprehend, especially for those who aren't already intimately familiar with the ground. For the love of pete, turn the freaking map the right way. NORTH IS UP. ALWAYS.
New to your channel but find the video exceptionally well done. It has some of the best topographical maps and explanations i have seen on the Custer battle. Personal comments on the markers and those who died there and how add immensely to understanding the battle. Look forward to viewing all the videos you create on this battle.
I've heard that the bodies in deep ravine were never recovered, I know that there was a search for them several years ago after the fire on the battlefield, but nothing was found. I believe that a number of markers were placed because they had too many markers and just placed them here and there so they didn't have to take them back to the fort. In any case looking forward to other videos on the topic. Also Lt. Crittenden's body was buried on the battlefield as pre his father's request but that it was moved in the 30's when the road was built.
Today’s your lucky day! My latest video is on this topic, I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. See it here: The Gray Horse Troop and Deep Ravine | Are Troopers Still Unburied at the Little Bighorn? ruclips.net/video/xMEuIpFcgDg/видео.html
The United States government would not put markers where soldiers were believed to have fallen if they didn't actually die there. The Little Bighorn is a memorial to those dead soldiers it it's disingenuous to say they had extras and just left them there cuz they didn't want to carry them back.
@@matthew-jy5jp You think the US Government, or, *to be even more exact*, people working on behalf of the Government, are incapable of incompetence or malfeasance even in relation to fallen soldiers? I'd say that's highly naive.
There is a map drawn by Benteen of locations of the dead bodies. Those markers on the map are FAR different than what is present day body locations. On his map, there is also a number of bodies in a line in a ravine that is near the entrance gate of the park.
Just what i was looking for. Well done easy to understand. I have one pressing question. Did soldiers have their names on their uniforms or labled for identification? Thank you for the video😊new fan!
Thanks. I haven't been to the battlefield since the last time I walked it with my father back in the 1970's just before he suddenly died. This both jogs my memory and helps clarify what must have been a chaotic situation. I need to go back.
Many WW1 British battlefield cemeteries in Northern France have grave markers over graves where men actually fell. There are also memorials over men who died in the tunneling actions and their bodies were never recovered.
I visited the battlefield about four years ago, for the first time and was surprised how vast the scattering of these markers over such a large area. It pretty much destroyed every Hollywood depiction of Custer’s last stand. With the on-site description from the park guides the whole event almost sounded anticlimactic violent. I went away thinking that if every part of the vast battlefield was accurately depicted with re-enactors one would almost think it all kind of boring and in impressive.
@@Frankie5Angels150 I never fought the Indians but if I did it would be terrifying. The native Sioux are very big people. I live in SD and see them a lot. Boring was the wrong word. Wide spread panic and disorder by Custer’s men who many were immigrants and not familiar with the Lakota Sioux or Cheyenne. There was nothing glorious about that battle like the Hollywood movies always made up. It was wide spread slaughter.
If you want a great look into the entire battle I suggest heading over to Custer Apollo RUclips channel. He goes to every part of the battlefield as well as the paths taken by the soldiers miles before they even got to the Indian encampment and gives extensive descriptions of all the action. It's far from boring. There was a lot of troop movement and action during a very brief time.
The Little Big Horn battlefield might be the only battlefield in America that has grave markers showing were the fallen was either killed or were their bodies was found. But it's not the only place in the world. Along the First World War Vosges sector of the Wester Front in France you have something very similar. On one of the bloody battlefields of this sector, Lingekopf or Collet de Linge as it's called in French the battlefield is almost perfectly preserved, both in the small memorial parc there but also outside it. Here the battlefield is littered with shell holes, intact trenches, bunkers and dugouts, barbed wire and ordnance. But what really stands out are the white and black crosses that litter this mountain top battlefield. Some bare a name, but most just a short text informing that the bodie of a unknown fallen French or German soldier of the Great War was found and excavated on the spot were these crosses now stand. And there are many of them. Especially the white crosses marking French fallen are numerous. For anyone with an interest in military history and the First World War especially Lingekopf is a must visit as it's one the best preserved First World War battlefield in the world. And thanks to the any white and black crosses the slaughter becomes so much more pugnant and real. 17.000 French and German soldiers were killed in action at the Lingekopf. And many of them have yet to been found. They lay undisturbed were they were killed a little over 100 years ago. Sadly it's a battlefield that is almost completely forgotten or ingnored by the English speaking historians and history enthusiasts. But if you don't speak French or German a friend of mine, Pierre, has written a very interesting and photo rich article about the Lingekopf battlefield: www.pierreswesternfront.nl/alsace-vosges-lingekopf-le-linge
Yes. 100% in agreement with you. I remember standing in a German second line firing post and looking out through the slit, at a white cross some 30 feet away. It marks the spot where a French soldier had fallen. Apparently his body marked the limit of the French penetration in an attack. In 4 years of fighting, the French never broke through. Alsace was German territory in those days and the German defences were deep, strong and layered. Nothing remains of the French trenches except for some shallow shell scrapes and bits of wire, as they never dug deep into the hillsides. They simply attacked, again and again. In vain. That place is literally eerie during winter. Cold, foggy and silent.
I have a theory. Perhaps there are no bodies in deep ravine because they were moved because erosion would surely expose the Graves in as little as one really wet winter. The bodies were probably scooped onto tarps and dragged to a more stable spot for burial.
We stumbled upon this memorial and battleground taking a detour for fun on a cross country trip with our doggies back in 2018. The memory of this visit dwarfs the actual trip we went on.
Love the videos ...one small addition. Technically there is another battlefield that has the stones where they fell ... The Battle of Isandlwana in South Africa. British met a very similar fate against the zulus on a greater scale, just 3 years after the Little Bighorn.
It’s not the only battlefield in the world to have markers showing where men fell, there are similar markers in South Africa at the battle of Isandlwana
This, as well as all your videos, is fantastic. Detailed, without being overly so, and to the point. No excess talk and solid research, which I appreciate greatly. It is jarring when folks, even military, use "calvary" in place of "cavalry." The former being the place of Jesus' death and the latter a mounted soldier. I mean no disrespect, and though quite common, I don't believe the two words are interchangeable. Please keep up the great work. Thanks
I have visited the site twice. It is very humbling to see and hear the "stories of heroism", but a survivor of the event, said it took place in less time that " a hungry man takes to eat his dinner". The soldiers and natives were both victims, and my sympathy is shared between both parties.
@@johnhornof4906 Custer yes, but from what I was told, a lot of the soldiers were new immigrants to the continent and were not offered jobs except for military duty. A lot of them were not english speaking, did not always understand commands, and were simply trying to make a living for their families. In the end, all of the stories are all speculation to embellish personal sentiments. I recall approx 220 cavalry died, no survivors, so where are these fantastic stories coming from. The dead"?
@@ronlitz9055 I can highly recommend this book: 100 Voices from the Little Bighorn: Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Arikara and American eye-witness accounts of the Battle of the Little Bighorn!
A superlative video! I visited the battlefield about ten years ago and spent a better part of the day exploring it. As I viewed many of the same locations and markers covered in this video, each stop became a highly emotional experience of what transpired at the Little Bighorn. As an ardent student of all things “west”, I became an instant subscriber and eagerly look forward to more of your well-researched content.
For anyone interested in a very detailed look into the battlefield with detailed maps I highly recommend heading over to the Custer Apollo RUclips channel. He takes you on a very detailed tour of the entire battlefield and all the major spots of interest. ruclips.net/user/CusterApollo
I live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. In our oldest city cemetary is the headstone of Col William Winder Cooke. Born here, he later traveled south and volunteered for the U.S. army and fought in the civil war. An article from the local paper in 2021 states that he was with the 7th Cavalry and was K.I.A. at the Little Big Horn. Buried at the sight of the battle but a year later his family exumed his remains and transferred them to his home here in Hamilton. I am interested in what unit within the 7th he served with, and any record of where he fell. Do any of your records indicate a complete list of all who were there that day? Any information from your channel, subscribers or readers would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou again, and continue the good work🇨🇦🇺🇲
1LT William Cooke was Custer’s adjutant (sort of like a military secretary). In that capacity he served with the 7th Cav’s Headquarters. Cooke was the man who wrote Custer’s famous last written order. His body was found feet away from Custer on Last Stand Hill. I think I mention him briefly in my video about Vincent Charley; something like 40% of the 7th (and the rest of the army) were immigrants. Thanks for watching!
@@TheStoryOutWest thankyou for the correction. Although William Winder Cookes headstone states his rank as Col, he was in fact a lieutenant. More videos please. Great work!
Excellent graphics and well narrated. Given the evidence you reference is there an appetite to reassess the markers and move any of them? I do hope that you continue your uploads. Thank you for the lovely history lessons.
The National Park Service’s position is that the current marker locations are part of the historical record. They have only moved them or added markers a few times. Thank you for the positive feedback!
As a former police officer and also archaeologist, I can tell you that cadaver dogs have been used to find graves over 3,000 years old (and did so successfully.) Hint, hint....
@@bobporch It gets annoying hearing or reading someone state they were a cop, as if it gives them some extra credibility, when in reality it gives them less.
@@warrendelay It was a retired Canadian cop and his retired working dog that found the last survivor in the rubble of Tower One 70 feet up on top of the pile on 12 Sept 2001. She was buried under 2 feet of we called gray snow. Many police do know something about finding cadavers with working dogs. Is that not what part of this video was about. Also 37 PAPD cops and 23 NYPD cops gave their lives trying to rescue strangers on 9/11. Since I don't commit crimes, I don't have a beef with cops. Have a nice life.
Not quite the only place in the world with these types of markers on the battlefield, you also see a similar example with the burial cairns on the Isandlwana battlefield.
Totally enjoyed and appreciated this video. Though I thought I heard CaLvary once. I've been to LBH battlefield once but dream to explore it again. Thanks for your videos!
Nice video, I've been there several times. I even got to take part in escorting a soldiers body to the cemetery there. His remains were found over seas and returned to the U.S. My wife and I were Patriot Guard Riders at the time.
There's markers everywhere even on private lands alot were moved or took I heard that some old ranchers would use the tomb stones on thier machines for weight very sad and it's very spooky out there too on my reservation.
Days after the battle Benteen was able to find all the officers with Custer except Harrington Sturgis and Lord : Dr Lord was a friend of Benteen's and could have been the officer referred to by Two Moons as having led the breakout to Deep Ravine and whose body the chief viewed there after the battle.
Last comment, I stand very Humble! After listening 🎧🎧 very intently to your Very Fine explanation of the site and Engagement aftermath? All I can ask is you Forgive my mistaken comment from before. Again Thank You.
Great and informative video. Question, are any remains still being found or seeking as modern ground penetrating equipment is advanced? If so, are the remains reburied at another location, whether identified or not?
Any commentary about Custer not being killed on last stand hill? Some First American testimonies say he was killed just before the river and dragged up the hill by his men. Not recognized as Custer, but as a leader as he was riding up front waving his hat.
Based on the testimony of several Indians who claim Custer was shot at the Ford B and dragged up to Last Stand hill by his men. That would explain why there’s just one chest wound(fatal) and temple shot(didn’t bleed) already dead.those Indians had a clear view at the ford. That would also explain why Custer never cross the river. His men must have assumed command and abandoned the round up the noncombatants plan. It would also explain the chaos and panic within the five different companies
Amongst all the other inconsistencies is the fate of sgt. Finckle. See the documentary on the man claiming to have survived the battle, custers last man. Although first identified as finckles remains his best friend later viewed them and said it wasn't him.
Supposedly, LT Harrington's remains were found far north of last stand hill. Indian survivors reported a brave soldier on a fast horse escaping last stand hill and being persued by several warriors. A skull was found and returned for reconstruction and used for identification of Harrington in the 2000s.
Have you heard of Isandlwana. You will see grave markers spread out over thousands of yards. All tracing the battle and flight, just like Little Bighorn. The similarity is uncanny.
I remember Custer left his Gatling guns behind, but how far behind the columns ? It would be interesting to find out if they could have been brought up to help in the fight.
If he actually had gatling guns back with the pack train. They were liked unassembled and strapped to mules or condemned horses, they probably wouldn't have been much use, the fighting was close quarters and you could be shooting your own men. But maybe Reno could have used them once he got back to higher ground. Anyway I think they left the gatlings behind.
Where are you getting the mutilations from? Lt. James Bradley, from Gibbon's command (from Andrist's The Long Death): "Of the 206 bodies buried in the field, there were very few that I did not see, and beyond scalping, in possibly a majority of cases, there was little mutilation. Many of the bodies were not even scalped, and in the comparatively few cases of disfiguration, it appeared to me the result rather of a blow with a knife, hatchet, or war club to finish a wounded man, than a deliberate mutilation." Or so he wrote to the Herald (Helena) about a month after the battle. And he saw them before burial (also from Andrist's The Long Death): "Terry did not know the answer, but it came a short time later when he and Gibbon, and their staffs were standing on the hill talking to Major Reno and his officers. Lieutenant Bradley rode up; with his scouts he had been working through the hills on the east side of the river and had sighted objects that shone white in the distance. Approaching, they had been horrified to find that they were naked human bodies, lying among the carcasses of many horses. Bradley had counted 197 dead." Different for Reno's troops, since much closer to the encampment and so easier for the corpses to be set upon by the women and children.
I walked the Battlefield, I think in 1974, spooky place with still much to reveal to a careful archeologist. Like statistics commemorative actions can created a false story that endures until proper detail investigation is carried out. I took several courses in statistics and was taught how false impressions can be generated in ways the numbers are represented with different drawings and cutoff graphs. The lesson there are lies, damn lies and statistics mishandled.
Yeah, that's a modern thing. Only in ww2 did the US start putting significant effort into identifying bodies and only since Vietnam was recovery given the levels of importance it is now. Prior to Vietnam, soldiers were commonly buried near where they died. Now Americans don't want their war dead left in foreign lands.
@@31terikennedy actually not wrong, The Nez Perce campaign was 1877. The Cheyenne campaign was 1878 to 1879 and the Bannock campaign 1878. The Nez Perce and Cheyenne made the US Army chase them a long way indeed.
There should be more markers over on Reno hill. Just from the battle report they had more the two KIA. Plus a number of killed in Reno’s skirmish line and the retreat up the bluff.
Seeing that live would be more grotesque than you might imagine. Melee battle is a dreadfull affair. Note the forensic evidence of the injuries suffered by the 7th troopers.
Thank you. Can I buy a book of your Map and information? I have been trying to find a map of the markers. ( The accuracy details would be great to have too) ? I read that some markers were meant to be replacements but were just set by the old marker..thus making the doubles. I don't know if that is true.
Very interesting and gives an idea how kaotic this battle was . It would be cool to try and combine the archeological information and history and generate a computer model. Maybe a hypothetical start and end at markers where men fell from both sides. I didn't like that one marker on the footpath. It just seems like people will trample on final resting spot
My history teacher told us Custer was one of the last killed. Bull! A thousand Indians and all of them wanting to count coup on yellow hair, he was one of the very first to die
@@tbd-1 Correct. Custer was identified by Cheyenne women after the battle. Most LBH scholars believe the officer shot down at the first crossing attempt was Lt James Sturgis (body never found as stated in the video). The ensuing tactics would seem to indicate Custer still in command and attempting to attack the rear of the village. Keogh's battalion was stationed possibly to provide a link to Benteen, who was by then saving Reno's group. It is quite possble Custer was shot while trying to find another ford and Tom Custer or George Yates ordered a fall back to the Last Stand Hill. Everything seemed to break down about the same time. Calhoun and Keogh overwhelmed and E and F companies pushed back up the ridge. Part of Comany I (Keogh's), after the collapse ran along Battle Ridge trying to join Custer's group.
Per accounts of the first burial party first markers mostly just sticks and boards. A second burial attempt over a year later involved gathering bones dug up and scattered by predators. Current marker locations should be general indicators. considered
It is not the only place in the world where markers are placed where soldiers fell. The Battle of Isandlwana - Anglo - Zulu War also has piles of stone (graves) where the soldiers fell. Isandlwana is a similar situation as Custers Last Stand.
I've not been to the Isandlwana battlefield. I could be wrong but the white markers are burial places of the British soldiers. I do not believe they actually depict where those soldiers fell in the battle.
A lot of officers and few enlisted. With so many markers a significant distance from Last Stand Hill, I wonder if these individuals were “taken prisoner” and executed away from the main group.
No, the general consensus is that Custer's command got "strung out" as he proceeded along Battle Ridge. He appears to have left different companies at different places along the ridge as he and the main force proceeded towards the rear of the village. Some were probably left as a reserve, others to protect his rear and/or to prevent a flanking move, and some to hold horses. As the battle intensified, these groups got cut off and eventually fell apart as survivors began to try to rejoin larger groups or to flee toward what they perceived as safer areas (eg. Deep Ravine).
@@dooleyfussle8634 That is a great assessment and the archeological findings after the wildfire of the early 1990s would corraborate this theory. I think after Lt Sturgis (most likely theory) was shot off his horse at the first crossing attempt, Custer posted Keogh's battalion to wait for Benteen while Custer road further along battle ridge and tried to find another ford. Lt Harrington of C company was killed leading a foray by C Company toward the river. After a stiff fight, Calhoun was out flanked at about the same time Keogh's I Company was overwhelmed. Survivors from I Company (many of the scattered Battle Ridge markers, tried to run toward Custer's command, which had been turned back and lost momentum. After Keogh's collapse, the battle didn't last long (maybe 30 minutes). The "Last Stand" was a chaotic mess of close order melee fighting with not much organization.
Great Aerial video and synopsis of the Battle areas. Though we will never know exactly where every soldier fell due to so many factors. I find it Interesting - during the Battles-surely some Sioux and Cheyenne fell also! As far as I can tell- No markers seem to exist to point that out! I believe it was likely because after the Battle-the Sioux and Cheyenne removed their Dead for proper burial?!!!
The Lakota and Cheyenne did remove their dead from the battlefield, which makes documenting casualty numbers and death sites tougher. That being said, in recent years there has been a push to document known native death sites with markers. They’re probably not as precise as the army markers, but if you go to the field you’ll see them.
A descendent of the Civil war, Custer was elected to head out to Sioux City South Dakota reservation in the America's -in an effort , to build & sign a treaty between the two American nations for a revamp of the World. After the Counter-city strategy, which begun in April 1965 involving Hispanics and their mixes. Our tutorial's tell us "that we will negotiate with the conflict & not leave them penniless. The Sioux is an extension of my native American roots and I am here to say "we will be honored & will revamp our mother earth. Lisa
why did they build a paved road right through the battlefield? Couldn't be just off to the side or they afraid tourists won't want to walk? They did the same at Gettysburg
I was there in 1975 or 76, and the one thing that sticks out in my mind is seeing a lone marker way up on a hillside with nothing else around it. And I was thinking that this guy was getting the Hell outta there! But he didn't make it.
Several Native American accounts mention a lone trooper on a very fast horse who almost got away. They say he was outrunning them but commited suicide possibly because his horse was wounded.
So Keogh was unmutulated? Was there a reason some of the natives destroyed the bodies while some were left untouched? Maybe they fought bravely and were left whole
No original markers were placed in the valley or on Reno hill. All the original markers were placed on the Custer battlefield. They had far to many so they paired a lot of them up.
I like you to share your thoughts on a topic I came up with based on what I've read. Have you given any consideration to whether Custer may have died from a self inflicted gun shot wound?
There’s no evidence for it. Custer’s documented wounds were gunshot wounds to his left chest and left temple, while he was right-handed. I’ve never read any comments made by him to the effect that he would save the last round for himself or such.
@@TheStoryOutWest I have read that his Brother Tom may have fired the head shot in order for his brother to have a quick death, Tom knowing how most times bodies were very brutally massacred.
A very interesting video, and if it isn't 100% accurate yet, it's certainly a good start. I'm writing in response to your statement that there is nothing like the individual markers on this battlefield anywhere in the world, That may be correct. I have not visited either battlefield, and am just repeating hearsay, but I understand that an identical situation exists at the battlefield of Isandlwana where a large detachment of the British 24th foot was wiped out nearly to a man by the Zulus in 1879. I'm sure I don't have the whole story, but there are a large number of cairns dating back to contemporary times that are said to be the sites where bodies were found. It's possible there is something lacking that leaves Little Big Horn unique, but here's a link, and you can judge for yourself. ruclips.net/video/SyoFxpxuGTE/видео.html Fascinating video, in any case. Thanks for putting forth the effort.
You are somewhat correct. The British did place markers at Isandlwana but the cairns signify the locations where they buried the bones recovered in the surrounding area. The British didn't mark the locations where soldiers fell and since they waited several months before burying them, the remains couldn't be identified. Each cairn is the location of a mass burial of 6+ bodies.
@@nobodyspecial4702 Ahh, I see. A clear case of research first, and talk later. Thank you for the clarification. Looks like Little Big Horn does indeed continue to hold its distinction. Hope my confusion didn't cause any for anyone else!
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
I’ve been to Little Bighorn several times it is such a surreal place, very solemn it’s one of my favorite subjects and extremely fascinating.
i have been there twice. the second time was june 25 1991. i wondered why it was fairly busy on a tuesday until it hit me that it was the 125th year anniversary of the battle. since the area is relatively the same as when the fight occurred you do get that surreal feeling. one of the workers confided in me that very few of them like being there after dark. i asked why, and she just gave a faint smile but said nothing.
First visit for me was 1964. Then 1968 , 1997 , and 2015 . It’s breathtaking every time . Hope to go again in the next couple yrs .
That was my thought, as well. Very quiet and serene, nothing but the wind in the grass.
Me too… been there twice… The area is almost like it was in 1876 … Very solemn….Custer and the 7th
I was there in 2017. I had been down in Casper Wy to see the total eclipse of the Sun. On way back I stopped by the battlefield.
One of the lone markers, I think ip on one of the knolls, was for Sgt. Butler. They found his body with carbine casings littered around his body. He supposedly put up a hell of a fight. There are Indian accounts of a lone wounded trooper who stood up near or at the end of the battle, and just started firing at warriors, killing several until he was outflanked and killed. I think Chief Gall said the warriors couldn't close on Butler for a while, bc of his volume of fire. Sgt. Butler was known marksman in the 7th cavalry. That's a badass right there. I hope that story has truth
Sgt butler was an ex British soldier who had previously served in the 11th Hussars.
@@stephenmcdonald7908 The only Butler killed at the Little Big Horn was 1st Sgt James Butler,born Albany,New York to both Irish parents.Nowhere can I find to say he was British or fought with the Hussars.
" Volume of fire " ? A single shot Spencer rifle was no match for Winchester repeating rifles, which some of the Indians did possess.
@@louisavondart9178 Butler was an experienced soldier and marksman. He was carrying a Springfield 1873 trapdoor carbine, not a Spencer. A skilled soldier could load, fire, eject, and reload very fast; although certainly not as fast as the repeating Henrys and Winchesters that many warriors carried. Chief Gall describes a lone trooper on a distant knoll. Butler, in a distant elevated position, could have been deadly pest to those warriors; till they reached him. Experience, good fundamentals, and marksmanship can easily outclass superior numbers and technology
It is true. Also, he was the only body that was not mutilated. It is thought this was out of respect.
I have visited the battlefield several times over the past 50 years. It holds very special spiritual feelings for me. I am a Blackfeet Indian by heritage. I'm very proud of that. I can also appreciate the horror of the battle on both combatants sides. I believe strongly that Custer was seeking glory that day and led his men into their fateful sudden demise. Two Moons, a Cheyenne Chief was quoted, "the battle happened as fast as a hungry man would take to eat his dinner."
From what I have read Custer was not himself at the time of the battle. He had been arrested early before the battle by order of president USGrant. Some feel he was trying to redeem his valor and military status. Who knows . All in all it was a devastating battle for both sides. They say the native Americans were never the same after this battle. Sad history never to be undone. Good post thank you.😊
Just discovered your channel. Very well put together and very interesting. Just became your newest subscriber. Decades ago, I accidently spent the night in Custers battlefield, trapped by a lightening storm with my motorcycle, I rode into a field of tall grass and set up camp. That night the wind roared and the lightening flashed which thrilled and terrified me. In the morning I seen the markers as I rode off. Was like camping while a ghostly battle ragged. My Great, Great, great grandfather, Chief Bad Whirlwind is said, in our family, to have been there at the battle, Rosebud Sioux.
Great video! The best realistic topographical map study of the battlefield I've ever seen. It makes it so much easier to understand the lay of the land, and where the bodies were found. No doubt in that large area there are still bodies and personal artifacts that have yet to be found, and probably never will be. The only question I have is: what about the Reno battlefield across the river? Has that been excavated as well? There's definitely a lot of history and artifacts buried over there too.
Was there Sept 2023. An awe inspiring experience. Five miles between Last Stand Hill and Reno Hill, farther than I ever imagined.
I really enjoyed this very in depth video. It kept my attention, and interest. Work well done. Look forward to more.
I have watched all of your videos. All well done with a professional quality. Please keep them coming, with hopes that you get more well deserved subscribers.
Thank you! I’m trying to get better with every video and I’m experimenting with different techniques. Let me know what’s working and what you think could be done better
An interesting topic of the Little Big Horn, I had always been under the impression that the markers actually marked where bodies were found, and while there were many unknowns, those markers with names are where identified were found.
Generally, I think it's more accurate to take the groupings of markers as evidence where groups of soldiers fell (instead of tying one soldier to one exact marker) except where there's obvious archaeological or historical evidence that ties a particular person to a spot. I'll have an example of this coming up in a future video. Thanks for watching!
Very nice explanation. This is a unique place. I walked around many markers on mostly designated paths sometime on visiting in the 1980s. A week before a grass fire had swept over much of the area which left a haunting appearance to it all. As I understand many artifacts have been exposed over the years following grass fires.
This is a superb video with a very innovative overhead illustration of the markers. I really like how you identified the markers and gave commentary. Wish it was longer :)
Another excellent video, thanks. I visited the battlefield in 2020, fulfilling a bucket list item as I have always been fascinated with the fight. It was eerie and powerful to be there where it happened. The area was smaller than I imagined. I hope to go back when I have more time to explore.
The actual battle stretched out for over 4 miles. It was interesting to see how far the markers stretched out for. Your right, it's a very eerie place.
I donated a small amount of money back in the late 1980s to help preserve the battlefield, and am the proud owner of a Deed of Trust that states "Know all men that 200 square feet of native grassland in the Valley of the Little Bighorn have been designated in your name." I didn't make much money back then, but I wanted to preserve history. I used to receive publications, due to my small donation, and kept one, in particular, that spells out the forensic evidence of how the archeologists were able to positively identify Custer Scout, Mitch Boyer, and Reno Sgt Miles O'hara. The publication is entitled "Greasy Grass, A Day of Legend-When Courage and Destiny Meet", published by Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association, Volume 4, Annual for the Battlefield Dispatch, May 1988. There are several other historically significant articles within that annual. I have never been to the battle site and it is on my list of places to visit. I usually hunt obscure battle and ambush sites in Arizona during the Apache Wars, since they are closer to me, but I'll chase American History wherever my vehicle takes me! Thanks again, for yet another great historical video.
Tip of the hat to you sir
In that area of the country there are flash floods from intense rainstorms. Anything in Deep Ravine almost 150 years ago would likely have been washed away or buried deeply from erosion of the sides of the ravine over time. Excellent video and obviously well researched.
Buried deeply is what appears to have happened.
The ravine was also used as a dumping ground during the road building. Anything still there is probably 30' or more underground.
Well researched. Pretty much indicates a disordered and panicked rout.
Buffalo hunt.
There are recognized Unknown Soldiers from most of our wars/ conflicts prior to the Vietnam war.
Descendant Societies (DAR, SAR, SUV, SCV, etc) lay wreaths and care of them.
In my first few years in the Army, I was fortunate to have the opportunity and the ability to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1978-79. I am the 206th recipient of the very rare and extremely hard to earn Tomb Guard Identification Badge.
As we say:
"Soldiers never die until they're forgotten; Tomb Guards never forget."
I, like a million others, have visited the Custer battlefield. We spent two days there. I find it incredible that anyone would find ANY of these markers to be completely accurate. That's ludicrous. This battle occurred in 1976! Please, it was years later, with crude implements, that these sites were identified. No one should be surprised if there are inaccuracies. The battlefield itself, stretched over a three or four mile area is expansive. We're lucky to have what we do have.
We visit a lot of national parks, but I found this one particularly interesting and beautiful in it's unique way. The artifacts at the Custer Battle Field museum are incredible.
Do people know that Custer was completely disgusted with the Indian agents sent out from Washington DC that were stealing funds and food intended for the Indians? He testified before congress on this and became 'personna non grata' within the Grant administration. He was punished with an assignment to the far western region of the US. His brother, who died at The Little Big Horn also, Tom Custer is the holder of "two" Congressional Medals of Honor for his service during the Civil War. There is so much more to this story than the urban legends surrounding it. George Custer's wife Libby spent the rest of her life trying to clear her husband's name and some of the false information spread afterwards. It's one hell of a piece of history.
1876.
Having visited the site, spending a whole day there…I praise this video..only wishing the videographer would SLOW DOWN and allow a bit more time to absorb each feature and comment. Otherwise, THANK YOU for the excellent presentation. Much enjoyed the reminisce.
Thanks for the detailed research.
Keogh's force seemed to maintain relative cohesion during the battle. He died with many of his men in close proximity, and apparently was still riding his mount, Comanche, who was recovered alive by U. S. troops and had a wound on him corresponding with one in Keogh's leg.
I am one of the many who could read about or watch videos about this battle at any excuse. I really like the way you present your "story" and evidence in a clear and logical way. Yes, I am subscribed.
Same here Jack, really enjoyed this vid.
Excellent work and a great video, thank you very much. A tip for editors everywhere... on every map in human history, THE TOP OF THE PAGE IS NORTH!!!!!!!!!! Disorienting a map makes it confusing and virtually impossible to comprehend, especially for those who aren't already intimately familiar with the ground. For the love of pete, turn the freaking map the right way. NORTH IS UP. ALWAYS.
New to your channel but find the video exceptionally well done. It has some of the best topographical maps and explanations i have seen on the Custer battle. Personal comments on the markers and those who died there and how add immensely to understanding the battle. Look forward to viewing all the videos you create on this battle.
I've heard that the bodies in deep ravine were never recovered, I know that there was a search for them several years ago after the fire on the battlefield, but nothing was found. I believe that a number of markers were placed because they had too many markers and just placed them here and there so they didn't have to take them back to the fort. In any case looking forward to other videos on the topic. Also Lt. Crittenden's body was buried on the battlefield as pre his father's request but that it was moved in the 30's when the road was built.
Today’s your lucky day! My latest video is on this topic, I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. See it here: The Gray Horse Troop and Deep Ravine | Are Troopers Still Unburied at the Little Bighorn?
ruclips.net/video/xMEuIpFcgDg/видео.html
@@TheStoryOutWest e
The United States government would not put markers where soldiers were believed to have fallen if they didn't actually die there. The Little Bighorn is a memorial to those dead soldiers it it's disingenuous to say they had extras and just left them there cuz they didn't want to carry them back.
@@matthew-jy5jp You think the US Government, or, *to be even more exact*, people working on behalf of the Government, are incapable of incompetence or malfeasance even in relation to fallen soldiers? I'd say that's highly naive.
😊
There is a map drawn by Benteen of locations of the dead bodies. Those markers on the map are FAR different than what is present day body locations. On his map, there is also a number of bodies in a line in a ravine that is near the entrance gate of the park.
Interesting video. I visited this battlefield only once, in 1971 on a cross country drive when I was 19. Still have the pictures I took.
Just what i was looking for. Well done easy to understand. I have one pressing question. Did soldiers have their names on their uniforms or labled for identification? Thank you for the video😊new fan!
Thanks. I haven't been to the battlefield since the last time I walked it with my father back in the 1970's just before he suddenly died. This both jogs my memory and helps clarify what must have been a chaotic situation. I need to go back.
Many WW1 British battlefield cemeteries in Northern France have grave markers over graves where men actually fell. There are also memorials over men who died in the tunneling actions and their bodies were never recovered.
I know this is rather old but I just found your channel and I LOVE IT. You are doing a great job. Please keep it up.
It ain't old if you haven't seen it yet. Glad you like it!
I visited the battlefield about four years ago, for the first time and was surprised how vast the scattering of these markers over such a large area. It pretty much destroyed every Hollywood depiction of Custer’s last stand. With the on-site description from the park guides the whole event almost sounded anticlimactic violent. I went away thinking that if every part of the vast battlefield was accurately depicted with re-enactors one would almost think it all kind of boring and in impressive.
@@Frankie5Angels150 I never fought the Indians but if I did it would be terrifying. The native Sioux are very big people. I live in SD and see them a lot. Boring was the wrong word. Wide spread panic and disorder by Custer’s men who many were immigrants and not familiar with the Lakota Sioux or Cheyenne. There was nothing glorious about that battle like the Hollywood movies always made up. It was wide spread slaughter.
If you want a great look into the entire battle I suggest heading over to Custer Apollo RUclips channel. He goes to every part of the battlefield as well as the paths taken by the soldiers miles before they even got to the Indian encampment and gives extensive descriptions of all the action. It's far from boring. There was a lot of troop movement and action during a very brief time.
@@kowalski3769 Totally agree, I always recommend Custer Apollo’s vids. I rather like this one as well, with the battlefield view.
The Little Big Horn battlefield might be the only battlefield in America that has grave markers showing were the fallen was either killed or were their bodies was found. But it's not the only place in the world. Along the First World War Vosges sector of the Wester Front in France you have something very similar. On one of the bloody battlefields of this sector, Lingekopf or Collet de Linge as it's called in French the battlefield is almost perfectly preserved, both in the small memorial parc there but also outside it. Here the battlefield is littered with shell holes, intact trenches, bunkers and dugouts, barbed wire and ordnance. But what really stands out are the white and black crosses that litter this mountain top battlefield. Some bare a name, but most just a short text informing that the bodie of a unknown fallen French or German soldier of the Great War was found and excavated on the spot were these crosses now stand. And there are many of them. Especially the white crosses marking French fallen are numerous. For anyone with an interest in military history and the First World War especially Lingekopf is a must visit as it's one the best preserved First World War battlefield in the world. And thanks to the any white and black crosses the slaughter becomes so much more pugnant and real. 17.000 French and German soldiers were killed in action at the Lingekopf. And many of them have yet to been found. They lay undisturbed were they were killed a little over 100 years ago. Sadly it's a battlefield that is almost completely forgotten or ingnored by the English speaking historians and history enthusiasts. But if you don't speak French or German a friend of mine, Pierre, has written a very interesting and photo rich article about the Lingekopf battlefield: www.pierreswesternfront.nl/alsace-vosges-lingekopf-le-linge
Yes. 100% in agreement with you. I remember standing in a German second line firing post and looking out through the slit, at a white cross some 30 feet away. It marks the spot where a French soldier had fallen. Apparently his body marked the limit of the French penetration in an attack. In 4 years of fighting, the French never broke through. Alsace was German territory in those days and the German defences were deep, strong and layered. Nothing remains of the French trenches except for some shallow shell scrapes and bits of wire, as they never dug deep into the hillsides. They simply attacked, again and again. In vain. That place is literally eerie during winter. Cold, foggy and silent.
I have a theory. Perhaps there are no bodies in deep ravine because they were moved because erosion would surely expose the Graves in as little as one really wet winter. The bodies were probably scooped onto tarps and dragged to a more stable spot for burial.
We stumbled upon this memorial and battleground taking a detour for fun on a cross country trip with our doggies back in 2018. The memory of this visit dwarfs the actual trip we went on.
You sir just earned yourself another subscriber. Great videos.
Love the videos ...one small addition. Technically there is another battlefield that has the stones where they fell ... The Battle of Isandlwana in South Africa. British met a very similar fate against the zulus on a greater scale, just 3 years after the Little Bighorn.
Excellent video. Thank you for posting.
Very well done! Learned a ton from this video
+1!
It’s not the only battlefield in the world to have markers showing where men fell, there are similar markers in South Africa at the battle of Isandlwana
This, as well as all your videos, is fantastic. Detailed, without being overly so, and to the point. No excess talk and solid research, which I appreciate greatly. It is jarring when folks, even military, use "calvary" in place of "cavalry." The former being the place of Jesus' death and the latter a mounted soldier. I mean no disrespect, and though quite common, I don't believe the two words are interchangeable. Please keep up the great work. Thanks
Outstanding video! Superbly done.
Fantastic video. What future battles do you plan on covering? I eagerly await your next projects!
I’ve got some projects I’m working on, but I want to make sure my research is dialed in. Thank you for the compliment!
I have visited the site twice. It is very humbling to see and hear the "stories of heroism", but a survivor of the event, said it took place in less time that " a hungry man takes to eat his dinner". The soldiers and natives were both victims, and my sympathy is shared between both parties.
Custer got what was coming to him!!!
@@johnhornof4906 Custer yes, but from what I was told, a lot of the soldiers were new immigrants to the continent and were not offered jobs except for military duty. A lot of them were not english speaking, did not always understand commands, and were simply trying to make a living for their families. In the end, all of the stories are all speculation to embellish personal sentiments. I recall approx 220 cavalry died, no survivors, so where are these fantastic stories coming from. The dead"?
@@ronlitz9055 A lot of native warriors survived.
@@ronlitz9055 I can highly recommend this book: 100 Voices from the Little Bighorn: Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Arikara and American eye-witness accounts of the Battle of the Little Bighorn!
A superlative video! I visited the battlefield about ten years ago and spent a better part of the day exploring it. As I viewed many of the same locations and markers covered in this video, each stop became a highly emotional experience of what transpired at the Little Bighorn. As an ardent student of all things “west”, I became an instant subscriber and eagerly look forward to more of your well-researched content.
For anyone interested in a very detailed look into the battlefield with detailed maps I highly recommend heading over to the Custer Apollo RUclips channel. He takes you on a very detailed tour of the entire battlefield and all the major spots of interest. ruclips.net/user/CusterApollo
I live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. In our oldest city cemetary is the headstone of Col William Winder Cooke. Born here, he later traveled south and volunteered for the U.S. army and fought in the civil war. An article from the local paper in 2021 states that he was with the 7th Cavalry and was K.I.A. at the Little Big Horn. Buried at the sight of the battle but a year later his family exumed his remains and transferred them to his home here in Hamilton.
I am interested in what unit within the 7th he served with, and any record of where he fell. Do any of your records indicate a complete list of all who were there that day?
Any information from your channel, subscribers or readers would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou again, and continue the good work🇨🇦🇺🇲
1LT William Cooke was Custer’s adjutant (sort of like a military secretary). In that capacity he served with the 7th Cav’s Headquarters. Cooke was the man who wrote Custer’s famous last written order. His body was found feet away from Custer on Last Stand Hill. I think I mention him briefly in my video about Vincent Charley; something like 40% of the 7th (and the rest of the army) were immigrants. Thanks for watching!
@@TheStoryOutWest thankyou for the correction. Although William Winder Cookes headstone states his rank as Col, he was in fact a lieutenant.
More videos please. Great work!
He was brevetted Colonel during the Civil War- instead of medals, you got to have an honorary rank. Glad you like the channel!
Excellent graphics and well narrated. Given the evidence you reference is there an appetite to reassess the markers and move any of them?
I do hope that you continue your uploads. Thank you for the lovely history lessons.
The National Park Service’s position is that the current marker locations are part of the historical record. They have only moved them or added markers a few times. Thank you for the positive feedback!
Great documentary!!!
As a former police officer and also archaeologist, I can tell you that cadaver dogs have been used to find graves over 3,000 years old (and did so successfully.)
Hint, hint....
True and ground radar
A police officer? a hair dresser gets more hours of training that a cop. so THAT means nothing.
@@warrendelay So easy to be rude to someone you will never face.
@@bobporch It gets annoying hearing or reading someone state they were a cop, as if it gives them some extra credibility, when in reality it gives them less.
@@warrendelay It was a retired Canadian cop and his retired working dog that found the last survivor in the rubble of Tower One 70 feet up on top of the pile on 12 Sept 2001. She was buried under 2 feet of we called gray snow. Many police do know something about finding cadavers with working dogs. Is that not what part of this video was about. Also 37 PAPD cops and 23 NYPD cops gave their lives trying to rescue strangers on 9/11. Since I don't commit crimes, I don't have a beef with cops. Have a nice life.
Not quite the only place in the world with these types of markers on the battlefield, you also see a similar example with the burial cairns on the Isandlwana battlefield.
Totally enjoyed and appreciated this video. Though I thought I heard CaLvary once. I've been to LBH battlefield once but dream to explore it again. Thanks for your videos!
Wow. Definitely a place that we need to check out.
Nice video,
I've been there several times. I even got to take part in escorting a soldiers body to the cemetery there. His remains were found over seas and returned to the U.S. My wife and I were Patriot Guard Riders at the time.
A soldier from this battle located overseas?
@@SC-sf8xt There is also an Army cemetery on the site, not related to the battle.
There's markers everywhere even on private lands alot were moved or took I heard that some old ranchers would use the tomb stones on thier machines for weight very sad and it's very spooky out there too on my reservation.
Great video! 👍🏼
Days after the battle Benteen was able to find all the officers with Custer except Harrington Sturgis and Lord : Dr Lord was a friend of Benteen's and could have been the officer referred to by Two Moons as having led the breakout to Deep Ravine and whose body the chief viewed there after the battle.
Last comment, I stand very Humble!
After listening 🎧🎧 very intently to your Very Fine explanation of the site and Engagement aftermath?
All I can ask is you Forgive my mistaken comment from before.
Again Thank You.
Custer had it coming!
Walked it in 1976 when I was 13. Still remember the sounds of rattlesnakes.
Great and informative video. Question, are any remains still being found or seeking as modern ground penetrating equipment is advanced? If so, are the remains reburied at another location, whether identified or not?
My next video will address this topic, stay tuned!
Any commentary about Custer not being killed on last stand hill? Some First American testimonies say he was killed just before the river and dragged up the hill by his men. Not recognized as Custer, but as a leader as he was riding up front waving his hat.
Based on the testimony of several Indians who claim Custer was shot at the Ford B and dragged up to Last Stand hill by his men. That would explain why there’s just one chest wound(fatal) and temple shot(didn’t bleed) already dead.those Indians had a clear view at the ford. That would also explain why Custer never cross the river. His men must have assumed command and abandoned the round up the noncombatants plan. It would also explain the chaos and panic within the five different companies
Amongst all the other inconsistencies is the fate of sgt. Finckle. See the documentary on the man claiming to have survived the battle, custers last man. Although first identified as finckles remains his best friend later viewed them and said it wasn't him.
I dont know this but I THINK it is the only battlefield in the world where the graves are where the men fell.
Supposedly, LT Harrington's remains were found far north of last stand hill. Indian survivors reported a brave soldier on a fast horse escaping last stand hill and being persued by several warriors. A skull was found and returned for reconstruction and used for identification of Harrington in the 2000s.
Excellent video. I've subscribed.
Great layout and narrative.
Have you heard of Isandlwana. You will see grave markers spread out over thousands of yards. All tracing the battle and flight, just like Little Bighorn. The similarity is uncanny.
I remember Custer left his Gatling guns behind, but how far behind the columns ? It would be interesting to find out if they could have been brought up to help in the fight.
If he actually had gatling guns back with the pack train. They were liked unassembled and strapped to mules or condemned horses, they probably wouldn't have been much use, the fighting was close quarters and you could be shooting your own men. But maybe Reno could have used them once he got back to higher ground. Anyway I think they left the gatlings behind.
Superb info, all the best from scotland uk
Where are you getting the mutilations from?
Lt. James Bradley, from Gibbon's command (from Andrist's The Long Death):
"Of the 206 bodies buried in the field, there were very few that I did not
see, and beyond scalping, in possibly a majority of cases, there was
little mutilation. Many of the bodies were not even scalped, and in the
comparatively few cases of disfiguration, it appeared to me the result
rather of a blow with a knife, hatchet, or war club to finish a wounded
man, than a deliberate mutilation."
Or so he wrote to the Herald (Helena) about a month after the battle.
And he saw them before burial (also from Andrist's The Long Death):
"Terry did not know the answer, but it came a short time later when
he and Gibbon, and their staffs were standing on the hill talking to
Major Reno and his officers. Lieutenant Bradley rode up; with his
scouts he had been working through the hills on the east side of the
river and had sighted objects that shone white in the distance. Approaching,
they had been horrified to find that they were naked human
bodies, lying among the carcasses of many horses. Bradley had counted
197 dead."
Different for Reno's troops, since much closer to the encampment and so easier for the corpses to be set upon by the women and children.
I walked the Battlefield, I think in 1974, spooky place with still much to reveal to a careful archeologist. Like statistics commemorative actions can created a false story that endures until proper detail investigation is carried out. I took several courses in statistics and was taught how false impressions can be generated in ways the numbers are represented with different drawings and cutoff graphs. The lesson there are lies, damn lies and statistics mishandled.
Excellent tribute 🇺🇸
You have to wonder why a pathway is constructed to go over a marker position!
The Army didn't go back to the battlefield until a year later. So much for evidence and identifying and recovering bodies.
Yeah, that's a modern thing. Only in ww2 did the US start putting significant effort into identifying bodies and only since Vietnam was recovery given the levels of importance it is now. Prior to Vietnam, soldiers were commonly buried near where they died. Now Americans don't want their war dead left in foreign lands.
@@nobodyspecial4702 Actually national Cemeteries started with American Civil War. They didn't go back to the LBH for at least a year which seems odd.
They were busy chasing natives....
@@dealyfielder271 Wrong again! :D
@@31terikennedy actually not wrong, The Nez Perce campaign was 1877. The Cheyenne campaign was 1878 to 1879 and the Bannock campaign 1878. The Nez Perce and Cheyenne made the US Army chase them a long way indeed.
There should be more markers over on Reno hill. Just from the battle report they had more the two KIA. Plus a number of killed in Reno’s skirmish line and the retreat up the bluff.
I would love to be able to go back in time and watch this battle as it happened.
Wouldn't be a good time for you if you have white skin.
Seeing that live would be more grotesque than you might imagine. Melee battle is a dreadfull affair. Note the forensic evidence of the injuries suffered by the 7th troopers.
A great victory that day , a much deserved one.
Was there as a kid…..in 1962…..very haunting.
Thank you. Can I buy a book of your Map and information? I have been trying to find a map of the markers. ( The accuracy details would be great to have too) ? I read that some markers were meant to be replacements but were just set by the old marker..thus making the doubles. I don't know if that is true.
Very interesting and gives an idea how kaotic this battle was . It would be cool to try and combine the archeological information and history and generate a computer model. Maybe a hypothetical start and end at markers where men fell from both sides. I didn't like that one marker on the footpath. It just seems like people will trample on final resting spot
Good job.
I was born there. There's more markers and graves off the battlefields in the farm ground where the indian camps were.
Very true. A few of my other videos show some of the markers along Reno’s route of retreat and the river crossing area. Thanks for watching!
My history teacher told us Custer was one of the last killed. Bull! A thousand Indians and all of them wanting to count coup on yellow hair, he was one of the very first to die
The native warriors didn't even know it was Custer until it was over.
@@tbd-1 Correct. Custer was identified by Cheyenne women after the battle. Most LBH scholars believe the officer shot down at the first crossing attempt was Lt James Sturgis (body never found as stated in the video). The ensuing tactics would seem to indicate Custer still in command and attempting to attack the rear of the village. Keogh's battalion was stationed possibly to provide a link to Benteen, who was by then saving Reno's group. It is quite possble Custer was shot while trying to find another ford and Tom Custer or George Yates ordered a fall back to the Last Stand Hill. Everything seemed to break down about the same time. Calhoun and Keogh overwhelmed and E and F companies pushed back up the ridge. Part of Comany I (Keogh's), after the collapse ran along Battle Ridge trying to join Custer's group.
Per accounts of the first burial party first markers mostly just sticks and boards. A second burial attempt over a year later involved gathering bones dug up and scattered by predators. Current marker locations should be general indicators. considered
In 1976 I was told there was an 8 foot Sasquatch walking among the dead men
So are the markers without bodies just randomly placed?
I don’t think it matters how accurate they are. What they stand for does. It’s a peaceful place, a beautiful place. Thanks
It is not the only place in the world where markers are placed where soldiers fell. The Battle of Isandlwana - Anglo - Zulu War also has piles of stone (graves) where the soldiers fell. Isandlwana is a similar situation as Custers Last Stand.
I've not been to the Isandlwana battlefield. I could be wrong but the white markers are burial places of the British soldiers. I do not believe they actually depict where those soldiers fell in the battle.
A lot of officers and few enlisted. With so many markers a significant distance from Last Stand Hill, I wonder if these individuals were “taken prisoner” and executed away from the main group.
No, the general consensus is that Custer's command got "strung out" as he proceeded along Battle Ridge. He appears to have left different companies at different places along the ridge as he and the main force proceeded towards the rear of the village. Some were probably left as a reserve, others to protect his rear and/or to prevent a flanking move, and some to hold horses. As the battle intensified, these groups got cut off and eventually fell apart as survivors began to try to rejoin larger groups or to flee toward what they perceived as safer areas (eg. Deep Ravine).
@@dooleyfussle8634 That is a great assessment and the archeological findings after the wildfire of the early 1990s would corraborate this theory. I think after Lt Sturgis (most likely theory) was shot off his horse at the first crossing attempt, Custer posted Keogh's battalion to wait for Benteen while Custer road further along battle ridge and tried to find another ford. Lt Harrington of C company was killed leading a foray by C Company toward the river. After a stiff fight, Calhoun was out flanked at about the same time Keogh's I Company was overwhelmed. Survivors from I Company (many of the scattered Battle Ridge markers, tried to run toward Custer's command, which had been turned back and lost momentum. After Keogh's collapse, the battle didn't last long (maybe 30 minutes). The "Last Stand" was a chaotic mess of close order melee fighting with not much organization.
Great Aerial video and synopsis of the Battle areas. Though we will never know exactly where every soldier fell due to so many factors. I find it Interesting - during the Battles-surely some Sioux and Cheyenne fell also! As far as I can tell- No markers seem to exist to point that out! I believe it was likely because after the Battle-the Sioux and Cheyenne removed their Dead for proper burial?!!!
The Lakota and Cheyenne did remove their dead from the battlefield, which makes documenting casualty numbers and death sites tougher. That being said, in recent years there has been a push to document known native death sites with markers. They’re probably not as precise as the army markers, but if you go to the field you’ll see them.
There is now a memorial to the Native Americans near Last Stand Hill. There are also red granite markers for known NA dead.
@@jefffranklin4789 wonderful 👍thing that be!
A descendent of the Civil war, Custer was elected to head out to Sioux City South Dakota reservation in the America's -in an effort , to build & sign a treaty between the two American nations for a revamp of the World. After the Counter-city strategy, which begun in April 1965 involving Hispanics and their mixes. Our tutorial's tell us "that we will negotiate with the conflict & not leave them penniless. The Sioux is an extension of my native American roots and I am here to say "we will be honored & will revamp our mother earth. Lisa
why did they build a paved road right through the battlefield? Couldn't be just off to the side or they afraid tourists won't want to walk? They did the same at Gettysburg
I was there in 1975 or 76, and the one thing that sticks out in my mind is seeing a lone marker way up on a hillside with nothing else around it. And I was thinking that this guy was getting the Hell outta there! But he didn't make it.
Several Native American accounts mention a lone trooper on a very fast horse who almost got away. They say he was outrunning them but commited suicide possibly because his horse was wounded.
So Keogh was unmutulated? Was there a reason some of the natives destroyed the bodies while some were left untouched? Maybe they fought bravely and were left whole
How many markers on the other side?
Strikingly beautiful the west is . Nothing there to this day really.
No original markers were placed in the valley or on Reno hill. All the original markers were placed on the Custer battlefield. They had far to many so they paired a lot of them up.
I walked the grounds daily for two weeks and feel the.markers are probably more correct than not esp on Last Stand ridge.
I like you to share your thoughts on a topic I came up with based on what I've read. Have you given any consideration to whether Custer may have died from a self inflicted gun shot wound?
There’s no evidence for it. Custer’s documented wounds were gunshot wounds to his left chest and left temple, while he was right-handed. I’ve never read any comments made by him to the effect that he would save the last round for himself or such.
@@TheStoryOutWest I have read that his Brother Tom may have fired the head shot in order for his brother to have a quick death, Tom knowing how most times bodies were very brutally massacred.
A very interesting video, and if it isn't 100% accurate yet, it's certainly a good start. I'm writing in response to your statement that there is nothing like the individual markers on this battlefield anywhere in the world, That may be correct. I have not visited either battlefield, and am just repeating hearsay, but I understand that an identical situation exists at the battlefield of Isandlwana where a large detachment of the British 24th foot was wiped out nearly to a man by the Zulus in 1879. I'm sure I don't have the whole story, but there are a large number of cairns dating back to contemporary times that are said to be the sites where bodies were found. It's possible there is something lacking that leaves Little Big Horn unique, but here's a link, and you can judge for yourself. ruclips.net/video/SyoFxpxuGTE/видео.html
Fascinating video, in any case. Thanks for putting forth the effort.
You are somewhat correct. The British did place markers at Isandlwana but the cairns signify the locations where they buried the bones recovered in the surrounding area. The British didn't mark the locations where soldiers fell and since they waited several months before burying them, the remains couldn't be identified. Each cairn is the location of a mass burial of 6+ bodies.
@@nobodyspecial4702 Ahh, I see. A clear case of research first, and talk later. Thank you for the clarification. Looks like Little Big Horn does indeed continue to hold its distinction. Hope my confusion didn't cause any for anyone else!
@@jacktyler2880 Not a problem. This is how people learn what they don't know but are interested in.
@@jacktyler2880 Not a problem. We learn by not shutting ourselves off from new information.
ooo fascinating! ty for the link.