Outrageous!

[bubbabod]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I'll put it here, and Diane, please feel free to move it if you like. I just returned from the LBH on a fantastic trip with Fred, Treasuredude, Fullsail, Max, Phillip Solla, and while arriving at Reno Hill we were astounded to see three new markers on Reno Hill overlooking Reno Crossing indicating that Bloody Knife, Little Brave and Bobtail Bull "FELL HERE." What in the world is the park service thinking? Why are they trying to rewrite history? It's bad enough there are Indian markers popping up all over the place, correctly placed or not, without changing where people fell when it is known approximately where they fell. Couldn't they have at least said they fell in the valley below or something appropriate? Jeeesh.

[Treasuredude]

Here's a photo of the markers.

[Diane Merkel]

That is outrageous! Even people who have only watched SOMS on TV know where Bloody Knife was killed. Awful, just awful.

[bubbabod]

Thanks for posting that, Scott. Nice job!

[Tricia]

Sounds like y'all had a good time. I believe there are descriptions/reasons behind these inaccurate placements in the newest Friends of the Little Bighorn newsletter (dated 5.31). But you're right, Frank. The markers--if they must remain on Reno Hill--need to be more accurately worded for the PUBLIC to know their true history, as most folks go but one time and don't bother with the scholarly organisations.

[Diane Merkel]

The Friends NL says, in part, "For the time being, their markers will be erected at the Reno-Benteen Battlefield below the first overlook . . . ." The NPS doesn't own the land where Bloody Knife was killed, but that doesn't excuse the "fell here" on the stone.

[Tricia]

Diane--

You're absolutely right. I don't understand why the words "fell here" needed to be imprinted upon the marble--unless they're hoping for a future move ... but those two words shouldn't be included until placed in their proper upright and locked position.

And allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for your tireless service as former editor of the LBHA Newsletter. Editors are one of those thankless jobs the reader never notices, except via their absence ... I know this month's edition is the first time out for the new guy, but it really showed.

--t.

[harpskiddie]

There should have been an interpretive sign giving the information that this was a temporary site, and that the markers would be relocated to the proper valley sites when permission had been obtained.

"Outrageous" is much too mild a word, in my admittedly caustic view.

Gordie,
I see colors everywhere, and people who just don't care.........................................................

[harpskiddie]

And what is this "While defending the Arikara way of life" inscription? how does scouting for the army, fighting and dying at the Little Horn, and being neglected for over a century have anything to do with the Arikara way of life, and its defense?

What is with the dolts at the battlefield, or wherever, responsible for this, anyway?

Gordie,
you may want it today, and tomorrow just throw it away, and the only thing that's permanent is change.......................................

[crzhrs]

The Arikara way of life was just about over . . . like most of the other tribes in North America. The Arikara where there in hopes of getting some pay-back to their Sioux/Cheyenne enemies and a little booty.

And BK also may have thought it would be good to get back at Gall who along with many other Sioux tormented him when he lived with them during his youth.

[harpskiddie]

If the land was purchased by the Battlefield Preservation Committee, as posted elsewhere, one would have thought that it would have been easy enough to arrange placement at the correct sites. I do think that there might be some debate on exactly where these were, even for Bloody Knife [the area of timber occupied by Reno is still debatable, I think].

Maybe a "Fell Near Here" would be more appropriate, even in the valley.

Gordie,
nighttime lady,artist of the night, paint your pictures on faceless beds of white..................

PS I have no problem with the placement of markers for the Indian dead, and would be in no position to say whether or not they were correctly located; but there are enough problems with the US markers without adding to the confusion.

[crzhrs]

Many soldier markers are in the wrong place which has led to much confusion on troop movements and action.

There NPS should have worded the markers better, especially at this point in time. We don't need anymore confusion than we already have about the battle.

Then there is the NPS "warning" sign which threatens trespassers.

That sign is misleading. No one was killed or fell there.

NPS get it together!

PS: BK's marker says "interpreter/guide" . . . did BK speak English? Weren't the Crow better acquainted with the land than the Ree?

[Montana Bab]

Could someone please tell me how on earth parts of the LBH Battlefield became a part or parcel of privately owned property??
How can there possibly be a cohesive explanation of who fell here, and who fell there, if they can't even keep the battlefield property together? Did our illustrious government not acquire the entire battlefield?
What am I saying? They couldn't even properly bury the poor souls who died there!

[harpskiddie]

BandB:

The entire battlefield has never been part of the National Cemetery/Battlefield Monument. The entire valley is/was private land. So is/was Weir Point, Sharpshooter's Ridge, Medicine Tail Coulee, Luce Ridge, Nye/Cartwright, Fords A, B, and D and etc etc etc blah blah blah.

The government ceded all but the monument reservation as part of the Crow reserve, and it has been farmed and ranched, and leased out, over the years by the plot owners. The Battlefield Preservation Committee has been buying up parcels over the years, and I don't know how they've fared, which is why I used the "is/was."

Gordie,
she may grow weary; women do grow weary wearing that same tattered dress.......................

[bubbabod]

This reminds me, were you folks aware that MTC, the Real Birds' property, is for sale? I don't know the asking price. I understand there are several historical grounds for sale here and there.