150 years ago today

[Bill in Oregon]

Custer and the men of the 7th Cavalry rushed to their extinction in southeastern Montana, on the banks of the Little Bighorn. It's sure sobering to ponder those final minutes.
Remind me never to get in a hot fight with a Trapdoor Springfield and copper-cased cartridges that refuse to extract -- especially when the opponent is armed with Winchesters.

[fordwannabe]

Another note to yourself, don't leave your Gatlin guns at home. You may need them.

[marlinman93]

I've often wondered what Custer and his men thought when they realized what a hornet's nest they'd ridden into? Had to be pretty overwhelming to realize nobody was going to make it out alive.

[JimT]

According to some of the Indian warriors who fought, some of the soldiers fought bravely to the last and some ran as fast and as long as they could. Just real humans reacting humanly.

[fordwannabe]

I am pretty sure there was a lot of language we can't post here, at that point.

[AJMD429]

.
We just drove through (unfortunately 'past', since it was late and we couldn't find the right exit) there last month coming back from my son's Montana wedding.

I mused how when my own grandfather was five years old, Custer was killed, and when my dad was five years old, there were passenger airplanes, when I was five years old, there was television, and when my son was five years old, there was the internet. The pace of change is too great for society to process.

My friend's grandfather was also five when Custer was killed, and remembered being told by parents (along with all the others in his village of Ojibwes) to "grab your packs and go to the hills - don't come back until an adult comes and says it's ok, no matter what you see happening". That man lived long enough to watch the moon landing in 1969 with my friend - can you imagine the change he'd seen...???

[Bill in Oregon]

This was on the Smithsonian email this morning. Very interesting look at Custer and at the fight.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ ... 8D3E5BV_fw

[Griff]

We just drove through (unfortunately 'past', since it was late and we couldn't find the right exit) there last month coming back from my son's Montana wedding.

Exit 510, I-90 to US 212. Been by there many times, but no place to park a semi & visit.

[harry]

FYI to anyone heading that way, the visitors center is closed Monday-Thursday because of construction.
https://www.krtv.com/news/trading-post- ... s-approach

[Bullard4075]

I have been there a number of times. A good friend is a lifelong ( in his 80,s) student of the battle. Going there on a hot June day adds to the experience. Picturing the heat,humidity, screaming horses and abject terror of troopers many of which had little or no experience with firearms. Some troops could barely ride. Some could barely speak English. Firearm problems, little to no cover, the problems went on and on.

[piller]

My Great Grandfather retired from the 7th Cavalry 2 weeks prior to the mission. Moved from Ft Riley to the old soldiers home at Ft Dodge, KS. Had several kids. My Grandfather left his mark in the stone of rhe building where he was born. I am trying to post a picture, but my phone refuses to crop it.