Gumby
Full Member
Posts: 202
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Post by Gumby on Feb 10, 2006 20:50:24 GMT -6
Robert, Don't forget to keep you eyes and ears open for the rattlesnakes. No kidding.
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Post by markland on Feb 11, 2006 9:45:13 GMT -6
Robert, since you are already going to be there, you may as well make a trip to remember out of it. My recommendations (remembering that I am not as Custer-centric as many of these good folks ;D ) 1) Ft. Phil Kearny and its environs. The Fetterman "Massacre" site and the Wagon Box Fight location are nice and relatively unscathed by "progress". The fort had an excellent bookstore the last time I was there, which has been too long, and the rangers are top notch in explaining the history of that fort and its repercussions on Custer. Remember, this location and others on the "Bloody Bozeman" led to the treaty of 1868 where the Sioux were given this territory to roam in. Also, if I remember correctly (if not, someone correct me please), somewhere in downtown Sheridan is Crook's camp site after the battle of the Rosebud. 2) If you are driving and have time, definitely go south of Sheridan and check out Fort Fetterman and Fort Laramie. Along the way, you might be able to locate the site where the Reynold's battle occurred. Another location where many Indian fights occurred was at the crossing of Crazy Woman's Creek. Bob or another of the Ft. Phil Kearny rangers should be able to point you in the right direction to get there. Of course, it may now be on private land and require both permission and a four-wheel drive I just had the thought, if you are driving do the Ft. Laramie, Fetterman, Kearny and then LBH route. You have then followed the progress of the 1st, 2d, and 3d Sioux Wars mostly in sequence (Kearny before Fetterman). As Gumby said, watch out for snakes. I always find it handy to carry a walking staff because the country is sort of rough and it is useful to "beat" a path through any brush to discourage our venomous friends. Whatever you do, carry plenty of film, memory cards and batteries and, unlike myself, remember to take notes on what each shot is Best of wishes, Billy
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shawn
Junior Member
My sons and I...Reno Hill June 26th 2006
Posts: 98
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Post by shawn on Feb 11, 2006 9:55:15 GMT -6
If you make it to Ft. Laramie, you are about...2.5-3 hrs away from Ft. Robbinson, where Crazy Horse died...its located by Crawford, Ne. Then you are only a couple hrs away from Wounded Knee Battlefield, (South Dakota), and Sitting Bulls grave...Plus, you would be only an hour and a half from Custer State Park...
It would be a fun trip
Shawn
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Post by crzhrs on Feb 11, 2006 12:23:40 GMT -6
And before you know it you will have put on hundreds, if not thousands of miles trying to see all the sites. If you are already in the vicinity go for it . . . I've been once and I've been trying to get back since, but it's a long way from New England and time and money are always an issue.
I would also recommend some of the Indian reservations. I know Pine Ridge and other Lakotas reservations are in S.D. but so much of history took place there, during and after the LBH.
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Post by robert on Feb 13, 2006 13:05:23 GMT -6
First I must say to all of you that gave such great replies to my first post, "pilamaya ye". El Crab: My thinking also. Once I've been there and stood on the ground, maybe it will all start making sense to me.
Ciao: I'm in luck! I have the "Panzeri" book. Along with it I have read many of the books mentioned in this web site.
Leyton: It's interesting to hear others think like me. I have a problem attempting to explain to people why I would even want to stand on that ground. I believe most people here on this forum understand exactly.
Treasuredude: Eh-Oh, my one great weakness, buying books and adding to my library. Can't wait. Next, after buying gas for the trip I imagine "books" will be the next largest cost of the trip. Fetterman and Ft. Kearney are on my to do list.
Scout: "Explore for yourself." I like that advice. It's my way also.
Diane: Looks like you are the one I should say thank you to for this infromative site. Thank you. Yeah, I knew parts of the field were off limits. Probably caused by those that came before us. But it's understandable.
stevewilk: You sound just like me -- like being alone, no crowds.
Gumby: I won't let my wife read your reply. She doesn't even like camping in bear country.
Markland: Thanks for the good advice. I could probably spend a month in the area and still find things to see. The advice about taking notes is excellent. We are using a campground just north of Hot Springs SD as our base camp for two weeks.
At 14 years old I found my first stone axe head in sw Iowa. My grandmother on my mother's side was French/Iroquois. Still didn't peak my interest until about 15/17 years ago when I discovered I also had Lakota Sioux ancestry also. I have been hooked ever since. My interest in American Indian culture grew from that and like a lot of others it evolved into the interest of Indian wars and western movement. I have made three trips into South Dakota.
Again, I would like to say thanks to everyone that replied.
Bob,
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Post by Tricia on Feb 13, 2006 16:20:09 GMT -6
Robert--
You're right on about the books--we always come home with as many as we can possibly stuff in a suitcase. But one caution. Unless things have changed dramatically, the bookstore at LBH seems to have suffered of late. When I was there in 2004, they had none of the books I wanted (well, except for John Mackintosh's Custer's Southern Officer). I had much better luck at the Historical Book Fair in Hardin. Don't know whether the bookstore at LBH was hurt when the CBHMA stopped being its partner ... or it just might have been overshopped and understocked.
If you make it to Fort Laramie, bring your titanium card. I have heard wonderful things about its bookstore!
Regards, Leyton McLean
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Post by markland on Feb 13, 2006 16:58:49 GMT -6
*dirty word* I got curious and went to browse at the Ft. Laramie bookstore. Bad, bad, very bad mistake for the bank account. www.fortlaramie.com/fort_laramie_online_store.htmLet's surprise the wife shall we? Hmmmm, I know, when they come, I can slip them into that box of bargain books I picked up...yeah, that's the ticket! Billy
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Post by Tricia on Feb 13, 2006 18:00:50 GMT -6
Billy--
I know exactly what you mean. The last time I visited LBH, I was with Spouse, who came with me to both the CBHMA symposium (which was an act worthy of a medal) and the Historical Book Fair. When I picked up a Nineteenth Century imprint about Grand Duke Alexis' buffalo hunt, Spouse asked me if I wanted to eat--anything--during the rest of the trip. I do kind of wish I had purchased the title, but Spouse was right. Would have missed out on sampling some Custer's Last Ale at MBC!
Why does it always come down to money, money, money? Ugh ...
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Post by Treasuredude on Feb 13, 2006 18:31:42 GMT -6
The battlefield bookstore is good for the newer books. If you're looking for the "good stuff" then go to the book sale in Hardin. If I remember it's on Main Street next to an ice cream store. Many of the authors will be there so you can get the books signed as well.
At the LBHA conference this past summer, none of the dealers accepted credit cards -- Thank God. There was however a cash machine in the lobby of the hotel. But paying with cash gives you a better understanding of how much you're spending than "sign here".
But Custer books are a great investment. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
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Post by Rabble on Feb 13, 2006 19:51:49 GMT -6
The Bookfair is now held in the Ford Dealership on Central Ave, opposite where the ice cream store used to be. Unfortunately, Dandy Tom the owner, died a couple of years ago. Ron
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Post by Treasuredude on Feb 13, 2006 21:36:21 GMT -6
I didn't know that. The last time I was at the battlefield was for the 125th anniversary in 2001.
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Post by bubbabod on Feb 14, 2006 2:16:01 GMT -6
It's amazing where you can find a book you weren't even looking for. While in Rapid City this past summer we took a drive to Wall Drug Store, and I found a book there, and then later that day we continued on out to the Badlands, and at a giftshop/bookstore/restaurant way out there, I found another. You never know where you'll find a new book.
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