"Terrain at Little Bighorn" Topic

DA BUG

Can anyone tell me what the terrain was like at the last stand area? My believe was it was a grassy area but my knowledge is limited on this subject.
Mark

Can anyone tell me what the terrain was like at the last stand area? My believe was it was a grassy area but my knowledge is limited on this subject.
Mark

The bug strikes!

basically a grassy knob on the end of a ridge. The river is a few hundred yards from the summit. The valley is pool table flat with wooded stream and river banks. Not much has changed since 1876

Try link

Plus Google Earth for what the colors are.

Grassy hill will no rocks; just grass (a mix of green and gold or tan) with dust coming from any movement over bare spots. That June it was dryer than normal, I've read. (and that's how I'm showing it in the diorama that I'm finishing up.)

Having visited the battlefield a dozen years ago, and assuming it is close to being the same as the historical battle, and that the spot fenced off is indeed the last stand spot (a lot of if, I know), the last stand was on the forward side of a hillock, just below crest, facing the river. Deep gullies cut along the ridge to the river, offering plenty of concealment for attackers, especially if the grass was tall. The ridge itself (where the road goes) is slightly undulating roughly paralleling the river.

Likely an Osprey, if not the National Parks website, will help with a topographical map.

Mr. Lockwood is right. The National Park Service brochure, which you can order for free, contains several photos of the filed and markers there from the period of the battle and after. See here:

link

Images from the battlefield, here:

link

Other Images here:

link

If you have any problems with any of these, just search "images for the Little Big Horn Battlefield." You will get a bunch of both period and current photos which should help you. Osprey's Campaign Series #39, Little Big Horn 1876: Custer's Last Campaign, has a bunch of color maps of the field as well.

I happen to be there today.
It's funny, for as wide open as it "feels" there are lots of little hills and dips to hide in. There are trees by the river, but south of that it is very open.
As I look at it today, I suspect Custer used the ridge for concealment hoping to get a surprise (I think the cavalry was more concerned with catching them then losing a battle) – but of course all those dips and small hills made communication difficult.
You can see for miles – it's actually very panoramic. I can't imagine how disheartening in must have been to be able to see for miles and not see your friends coming to help.

Also, not positive, but I think the some of the markers (GAC included) aren't as far up the hill as they should be. Seems like I read that Custer was found up by where the monument is – not where the marker is now.

From the Park's Q&A on their website:
4. Do you know where he (Custer) was found?

ANSWER: Within six feet of where the large granite monument stands today on Last Stand Hill.

YouTube link

I've been there a few times. It is as Russ says. Pretty barren and 50 shades of brown, when I was there. I am curious as to the river. I get the impression it has shifted course since 1876. It's a place I'd not pick for my end of life experience. I felt the same about the Culloden site.