Little Bighorn Battlefield
In the spring and summer of 1876 the United States Government launched a military campaign upon a portion of the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, who refused to live within the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation. The campaign was initiated when a Government ultimatum to return to the Great Sioux Reservation, in South Dakota, by January 31st, 1876 was ignored. more info
As the military threat to these nomadic Sioux and Cheyenne developed, they began to gather for protection. Sitting Bull became the spiritual and political headman for the gathering village and remained so while it was together. A few weeks before the Battle, Sitting Bull conducted a Sun Dance during which he experienced a vision of a great victory over soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and 647 men were ordered south along Rosebud Creek. In the Valley of the Little Bighorn River, the Seventh Cavalry and their Indian allies attacked the village of 6,000 to 7,000 people, on June 25th, 1876. After the battle was over, 263 7th Cavalrymen lay dead, including George Custer. 350 7th Cavalrymen survived.
An accurate count of the Sioux and Cheyenne dead was not possible, but at least 60 are known to have died. The Great Sioux War was an inevitable conflict similar to other 17th, 18th, and 19th century conflicts between Indians and non-Indians. All of the participants saw themselves as perhaps patriots-fighting for their country, land, or way of life.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Monument open year round
Memorial Day to July 31: 8:00 a.m. to 9 p.m
August 1 to Labor Day: 8:00 a.m to 8 p.m
September and October (Ends on daylight savings time): 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
November through March: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
April - May: 8:00 a.m to 6 p.m.
Getting There
Plane
Billings Logan International Airport located 65 miles NW, Airport in Sheridan Wyoming, 73 miles to the South.
Car
Interstate 90 Exit 510.
Public Transportation
Bus service available at Billings, MT, Sheridan, WY with travel to Crow Agency, Montana 1.5 miles NW of the Little Bighorn Monument.
Little Bighorn Battlefield, MT Weather
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