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Published July 04, 2012, 12:00 AM

PHOTO GALLERY: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument


A metal sculpture creates a focal point at the Little Bighorn Indian Memorial. On Dec. 10, 1991, President George Bush signed legislation to change the battlefield’s name from “Custer” to “Little Bighorn” Battlefield National Monument and to create the Indian Memorial. The law authorized a national design competition, construction of the memorial and acceptance of donations. Photos by Jon Echternacht

  • A metal sculpture creates a focal point at the Little Bighorn Indian Memorial. On Dec. 10, 1991, President George Bush signed legislation to change the battlefield’s name from “Custer” to “Little Bighorn” Battlefield National Monument and to create the Indian Memorial. The law authorized a national design competition, construction of the memorial and acceptance of donations. Photos by Jon Echternacht
  • Ranger Michael Donahue points out two headstones that mark where soldiers fell during the battle. In 1890 the Army erected 249 markers across the battlefield where Custer’s men fell.
  • On June 28, 1876, the bodies of Custer and his command were hastily buried in shallow graves at or near where they fell. In 1877 the remains of 11 officers and two civilians were transferred to eastern cemeteries. Custer’s remains were buried at West Point.
  • In 1999 the National Park Service began erecting red granite markers at known Cheyenne and Lakota warrior casualty sites throughout the battlefield. After the battle Indian families removed their dead, an estimated 60-100.
  • Plaque at base of Last Stand Hill monument.
  • Headstones mark where soldiers fell on Last Stand Hill.
  • Water Carriers Ravine is some five miles from Last Stand Hill. The Little Bighorn River is shown in the background beyond where the Indian encampment was. The wounded under Major Reno and Captain Benteen’s command were suffering from lack of water and four sharpshooters and 16 water carriers volunteered to go down the ravine and bring back water to the wounded. Most in the group were awarded the Medal of Honor. The headstones mark where Indian Scouts fell who were attached to the 7th Cavalry.
  • George Armstrong Custer was not the only Custer killed at Little Big Horn. His brother Tom Custer fell nearby. Another brother Boston, nephew Henry Reed and Lt. James Calhoun, married to Custer’s younger sister, all died in the battle. Boston Custer and Henry Reed were civilian teamsters for the Army. Photos by Jon Echternacht