Tour Little Bighorn Battlefield with Garry Adelman

Though not directly tied to the three wars that we cover, Chief Historian Garry Adelman found himself at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and couldn't help but make a quick video tour!
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@k.r.truthseeker7156]

My son and I visited the Little Bighorn battlefield a couple years ago. I've been to every major Eastern theater civil war battlefield and only Antietam come close to having the same somber energy as Little Bighorn. You can truly feel what had to be shear terror of the troopers trying to fight their way out of a hopeless situation. Seeing the markers of Custer's fractic fight at Last Stand hill and then look to your left and see all of the markers for Kehoe's slaughtered companies on that wide open barren area is very very sad. I know that battlefield is way out of the way but it's a must see for true American history buffs. You won't regret it.

[@matthew-jy5jp]

Custer was an a hole and got all the men killed.

[@markkeller9378]

I had the same feeling. No other battlefield has come close to how Little Big Horn hit me. A presence, or aura……very powerful force hits you. Very emotional and surreal.

[@k.r.truthseeker7156]

@@markkeller9378 I think it's the wide openness of the area couple with the markers makes it more real that real men died on those spots. To see the markers scattered haphazardly makes it easy to visualize men running, fighting and being cut down where they stood. Yeah...its definitely the markers that makes Little Bighorn so different from other battlefields that are cluttered with unit and state state monuments and endless mounted generals makes it difficult to image the events of the locations. At Big Horn you're immediately sweeped back to June 25, 1876. I'd love to visit after all of the cars and visitors have left...I'll bet it'll really get creepy then.

[@2011woodlands]

@@k.r.truthseeker7156 there is a lot of energy there, but also at Devil's Den in Gettysburg, Maryes Heights in Fredericksburg, Sunken Road at Antietam and the trenches and forts around Verdun.

[@k.r.truthseeker7156]

@@2011woodlands I've been to Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and Antietam countless times....haven't gotten over to Verdun yet. But as I originally stated, Antietam (the entire battlefield) is the only place that I've visited that impacts me on an emotional level but nowhere to the level of Little Bighorn. For me I think it's because places like Gettysburg is way too crowded with tourist and modern commercial businesses encroach on or can be seen from key sections of the battlefield...i.e., Pickett Dinner, KFC, and McDonald's right there near Cemetary Ridge and across the Hagerstown road from the actual cemetery. That kind of spoils the immersion for me. Fredericksburg battlefield are totally encroached on by subdivision neighborhoods and tons of vehicle traffic due to major streets passing directly through it. Similar to how it is at the Chancellor's battlefield. Antietam on the other hand is for the most part unsullied by commercial and residential encroachment. There are only a handful of statues and monuments and no crowds of tourists. Thus it's much easier for me to feel the energy of the place. Just my thoughts.

[@toddwert4979]

Visited Little Bighorn when I was a kid in the early 90'. The monuments for the native warriors were not there at the time. I'm glad they are finally getting recognized. Everyone that fell needs to be recognized.

[@ecr-9341]

Gag…

[@gregwitt2796]

Gary, I love your videos and the way you present things so I hope you don’t take offense to this. I hope you and the ABT will give this battlefield and others like it the same dedication as you do Gettysburg and other Civil War battlefields. The Little Bighorn battlefield and others like it are no less important and while I appreciate this video, it deserves to be much more in depth then just a 5 minute video footnote glossing over one section of the battle with sad music playing in the background. I truly hope this video is just the start of a series of videos on this battlefield as well as other battlefields West of the Mississippi.

[@Zzyzx--]

I second that Greg. I enjoy and learn so much from Gary's and ABT's interpretations of Civil War battlefields, would be great to see the same energy and focus on the battles of the Indigenous Americans and Europeans

[@leza6288]

Watch datamister on little big horn. He’s a civilian that has been going into detail LBH battle and the battle of rosebud. I found his stuff while looking for more info on the battlefield.

[@Zzyzx--]

@@leza6288 For LBH battle also check out the channel The Story Out West - he has some great episodes on it

[@leza6288]

@@Zzyzx-- thank you for the tip!!!

[@tracysrocket]

@@leza6288 As a Trust member, I like datamister videos too, but the quality and presentation is nothing like the organized Battlefield Trust videos. Greg Witt is right. LBH battle deserves the same treatment as given to the 3 days of live videos at Gettysburg the past several years.

[@princeofmoskova]

I'm so glad you finally got there Gary! We toured there last summer, and I had been there some 50+ years ago as a kid before we left Montana. It is an experience to walk that ground and see the markers, especially now that BOTH sides have been able to get their story out.

[@mthompson0331]

Gary, i want this whole action in long form from you!!! Much love from Illinois.

[@rachaelday6154]

You guys make history interesting 🙂

[@Sheilamarie2]

Oooh, oooh, a Custer video!! Thank you, Garry, you've made my day as a Custer lover!!! I've been there, and you really can "still feel it".....

[@margieloesch1497]

I felt it too. The land holds the trauma.

[@mrdave777]

What is your favorite Custer attribute?

[@Sheilamarie2]

@@mrdave777 I'll say bravery.... but widly too much so.

[@mrdave777]

@@Sheilamarie2 Do you think Custer would have such the name if he wasn’t killed in Montana territory? I do think Benteen, WAS, IS the badass! Lol.

[@tonyhammer3588]

@@Sheilamarie2 I disagree with you. What do call a person who graduated last in his/her medical school? Doctor. As it was with Custer. He was an idiot according to the men who were in Officers School with him. He graduated bottom of his class. Sorry but he was a fool.

[@brettcole84]

More, give us more about the Bighorn Garry. I'm so intrigued.

[@Iceman8723]

I would so very much enjoy a long winded series on this! But Im so happy to even have this wonderful short vid. Thank you!

[@tracysrocket]

yeah, it's like-where is the 3 day coverage!

[@Iceman8723]

@@tracysrocket haha I'm so ready

[@Nighthawk1966]

What a beautiful battlefield ! Man, wish I had your job. That’s gotta be the best job in the world ! Great great stuff Garry !!

[@donaldvandergriff2196]

Garry, thank you for this, you have the greatest job.

[@cyndiebill6631]

Such a beautiful place. May all the ones who died there, Native American and US Calvary Soldiers, Rest In Peace.👍💙

[@catatonic9216]

Gary, welcome to our great state! Hope you had safe travels , thanks for the content , I love about 3 hrs west of there

[@Brian_Boru]

"It's my video, of course I may." 😃 Great work. Your passion for this site is infectious.

[@jimmyjames9752]

SAVE OUR BATTLEFIELDS AMERICA 🇺🇸

[@born2bwildne744]

Visits in 1968 as a young teenager and then again in 2015. Love the Indian Memorial not there in 1968. There was a trooper killed with my first, M.I., and last name - in small cluster of 5 or 6 troopers around their fallen captain, Keogh. No relation that know of but I feel connected simply through that coincidence. There are a few KZbin video series about the battle - and I’ve read a few books. So many unknowns and thus, lots of controversy and differences of opinion. The overall scope of the extended, multi-part battlefield is quite something - and the land/terrain is magnificent as your clip suggests. Thanks for yet another reminder - I may get back next year during another big motorcycle adventure out west and to Alaska.

[@georgiavanhouten9360]

Wow,Just incredible,Thank you Garry

[@ronnyber]

Thanks Gary. I was scheduled to visit in September 2019 but a major snowstorm forced us to take an alternate route back east. I'll probably not get another chance to be out that way.

[@bradleyc8414]

Thanks for sharing. It’s been a few years since I was at the Battlefield. I became interested in the battle after I read the late Stephen Ambrose’s book, “Crazy Horse and Custer.”

[@SeanRCope]

I served with the 7th Cav. and 5th INF. I visited the battlefield in 2020 twice.

[@tinaphillips7239]

I really hope to one day go and see the little big horn battlefield. One battlefield that we really need to see

[@bastianrattler1392]

Can you make an animated battle map of this engagement? I feel it's something people need to learn about and is becoming lost history

[@CaptFfiltar]

Thank you for this Gary!! I live just a couple hours away, so this is my neck of the woods. I've visited The Little Bighorn Battlefield several times and am always moved by the history and emotion that the land holds to this day. It's just too bad the air was so smoke filled as the view is also incredible on a clear day.

[@alexamerling79]

Spent a summer here. Really is an amazing place.

[@kaycox19]

REALLY APPRECIATE this video!

[@ianrwatson5974]

Love the videos from American Battlefield Trust! My third great grandfather, Supply Sgt. Michael C. Caddel, was the supply sergeant for the 7th Calvary under Custer. To give you background on him, he was an Irish immigrant to New York when he was 16 and first joined the 1st Lincoln Calvary and served under Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Was one of the Union soldiers at Appomattox Courthouse at the time of Lee's surrender. Now fast forward to Little Bighorn. He was in charge of supply for 7th Cav. detachment under Custer and Reno. He lead the first scouting party from Reno's position to Custer's Last Stand to find out what happened to Custer and the men of that company. He is the reason for the markers you see where the 7th Cav. were killed. They gave the men a light burial as "we traveled light and we did not have shovels or pickaxes" and used spoons and mess kits to cover the bodies as they were afraid of the Native Americans coming to finish off what was left. He helped move wounded down the Missouri River to get the wounded out. He was brought back 7 years later after the battle to identify where Custer and his officers fell and give them a proper burial. Then was brought back by the Government a second time to move all of the bodies under the obelisk in a mass grave. The reason for this is that he was one of the only ones left who remembered where the bodies felled. A thing to remember is that contrary to a lot of the historical information, the majority of the men of the 7th Cav. were Civil War veterans. When you see the markers around "Last Stand Hill" that are in pairs. These are the skirmishers as the main body of the unit with Custer tried to find a defensible position towards the top of the hill. Which is a Civil War tactic for when you are routed. Consolidate forces on the top of the hill and set up skirmishers. If you do a map of this video PLEASE use more information that what the tour guides give you. They read two books and tell the story. My dad who has read 5 to 6 books on the matter as well as a personal account tells a deeper story than what the national park tells. The men were experienced war veterans and very good Calvary men who strongly disliked Custer as he was a glory seeking commander that had little regard for the men. Another aspect from my third great Grandfather was that the night before his best friend had a premonition that he will be killed the following day and asked my great Grandfather to take care of his widow. His friend was with Custer and was killed and is interred under the obelisk. My great Grandfather married his friends widow and raised a family with her is South Dakota. His grandson, my great uncle, was a private serving in the Manilla Coastal Battery and was captured at Bataan. So if you do a full video of this please do it justice especially for the men who were poorly led by a man that was seeking his own glory and got himself and many under his command killed.

[@Frank_nwobhm]

Makes me want to watch Son Of The Morning Star again. Great presentation!

[@rwchidester]

Outstanding. It’s on my bucket list.

[@Hanndy3]

Love the video. I’ll be there in September with a tour group led by Jim Hessler. I can’t wait!

[@jleechadwick]

Thank you for posting this. I live in Montana and have been to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. It is a very interesting place to visit. In the mid 90's when a wildfire went through there and burned off the grass, they decided to do some digs and found quite a lot in those digs. Usually fire season is from mid June into early September. They usually have a representative from both sides giving talks. Gen. Custer had Crow Indians (whose land the battlefield is) scouting for him and they told him that they'd seen the largest encampment they'd ever seen, and he decided not to wait for reinforcements.

[@joeparvana9549]

Thanks for this video. The placement of markers where soldiers and warriors fell gives a feel for the flow of the fight and really the hopelessness of those single troopers. You watch videos of the LBH and think to yourself, what would I do? On my bucket list to visit

[@mwdjr3158]

Amazing content. Thanks for sharing

[@cyndydejoy6129]

So moving. Thanks for sharing 😊🙏

[@timgloeckner9260]

Awesome images man!! I was only a couple hours away from the battle field but couldn't make it, but on my bucket list

[@user-dc8fe6xh9z]

I been to Montana unfortunately I didn’t get to see the battlefield just passed by. I did get to spend my time on res with the northern Cheyenne and they take so much pride telling the story about there ancestors it’s really beautiful. I was there for a funeral for my best friend it was also so beautiful the way they sent him home.

[@delnunley7026]

I live near this battlefield and definitely worth a visit. Also there is a battlefield between Sheridan and Buffalo, WY. It is not far from Battle of Little Big Horn. An excellent book about Little Big Hormone Battle is “Son of the Morning Star”

[@dadsongs]

Stunning presentation as ever.

[@rc59191]

Hope to take a pilgrimage to there one day and Gettysburg to see where my family fought.

[@nathanfisher1826]

Great job! Thanks!

[@SeanRCope]

Been there done that. Served with the 4/7th Cav and 1/5th INF in Korea. My units were very active in the Indian wars, real cool to walk that ground.

[@tootiejamba]

It's a well laid out battlefield. Standing alone at the Deep Ravine is spooky.

[@nimitz1739]

2:11 I had no idea the hills were that tall on that battlefield.

[@530eman]

Just went last summer, amazing place in the middle of nowhere, great presentation

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Beautiful terrain.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Awesome presentation and thanks for sharing.

[@woodsy9682]

Been there it's a beautiful place

[@gijoe508]

I really need to get there some day

[@user-kq2zf5cm1v]

Oh my, I love Garry's videos! So Educational. Quote:" ...if I may. Well, it's my video so of course I may". LMBO. He's the best.

[@girldaddividendinvestor]

Definitely on the battfield bucket list!

[@rachaelday6154]

First!!! I appreciate your work!

[@dalep6590]

Appreciate your interpretation. Please feel free to expand on the timeline of the events over those desperate hours. Unlike some Civil War battles, this is an example of the downside disastrous risk of dividing a smaller sized force, before a superior numerical numbers.

[@johnzajac9849]

Later, Cpt. Benteen advised that there were about 8,000 warriors at the battle, and Lt. Winfield S. Edgerly said that there were 7,000 warriors at the battle.

[@zyzor]

I think now 160 years later, we can appreciate the tragedy that Americans died fighting americans. This is a rough patch in the nations history, but it’s an important culmination in the westward conflict. I think from the euro-american and the indigenous-american perspectives, we can salute both with honor. Two cultures’ brave warriors clashed.

[@ecr-9341]

Revisionist history much?

[@Kda2456]

The scale of the Battel most impressed me. The camera can't show well how far it is from the river to where Custer made his last stand. And the small clusters of 1, to 6 men who were cut off and killed in groups of alone!

[@bf9414]

nice job gary

[@henrico7962]

You guys should do a Wilson’s creek special! As the anniversary of it is coming up (August 10th)

[@patrickkenney1080]

My distant cousin 1st Sergeant Michael Kenney died right below Custer on Last Stand Hill.

[@jonathansparks3386]

I’m wondering if there’s much spirit activity at the Little Big Horn battlefield verses Gettysburg

[@alfredstimoli2590]

They say Custer was re-buried at West Point. Anyone know where they buried his brothers and other family members?

[@josephroth382]

There is a necklace made from the trigger fingers of many of the 7th. It’s located in Cody Wyoming at the museum

[@josephroth382]

Have more info on it if you are interested

[@Kyleandbet]

Great to see Gary out here is the west! Fetterman fight next?

[@jokepoint9105]

I am your new subscriber

[@robertschultz6922]

What about the battle at the timberline? I wish they could have done a archeological dig of the place. Is it private own land???

[@asintonic]

awesome video. Thanks for sharing. Did Custers side have Indians, and did they live or perish? Thanks.

[@edlowe7599]

Looking for a good battlefield guide, two days worth. One the campaign and one day the battle itself?

[@eoyguy]

The biggest issue of accurate history of the battle is Libby Custer's effort to make her husband a hero, and Hollywood's depictions based on that "valiant last stand" falsehood. There is plenty of history of how the battle went from the Indian perspective that paints a pretty clear picture, its just that historians, especially white historians, didn't want to believe it. With more recent archaeological finds, its pretty clear that the Indians history of the events were far closer to reality than those generally accepted for decades.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

I agree, Custer’s hubris doomed his command.

[@PeterOkeefe54]

I live near west point and custer's grave marker is huge and glorious...while Libby's next to his is tiny and unadorned.

[@McNair39thNC]

@@PeterOkeefe54 what’s your point? She probably adorned his!

[@PeterOkeefe54]

@@McNair39thNC she was hated by the powers that be and rather than bury her with him she got a little patch near him

[@ianrwatson5974]

Custer was a glory hunting commander, his men disliked him. Unfortunate that many of the historical accounts are not as accurate as they can be.

[@richardofoz2167]

Question for all you Custer nerds out there: When I was a kid (mid 50s) I visited a Ripley's-Believe-It-Or-Not exhibit purporting to show a necklace made from the trigger fingers of all of Custer's men killed at the battle. As a credulous kid in those innocent times, I believed it, and was enthralled to see it. As an older, more sceptical adult in these jaded times, I'm inclined to disbelieve it. Was right then, or now? Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing?

[@scottbarnett8090]

Never have found a list of KIAs of Custers command. Looking for enlisted men that died in this particular part of the battle

[@ottomatic3123]

I just love how the National Parks desecrates these places by carving out a nice paved road and a walking trail that looks like a road. The ground is smooth. A well worn foot trail would have been sufficient. People don't need to drive right up to highly relevant spots. If someone wants to feel the history it is much better done on foot and without cars driving around and roads dominating the scenery. As a disabled person I don't feel the need to get across the whole site as the cost of ruining the essence of place. It reminds me of Devil's Den at Gettysburg.

[@marvwatkins7029]

"Good, good!"

[@johnpierce2095]

how do they know exactly where they died though.

[@Houndini]

1 my long lost cousins died there. I guess he was today's adrenaline junkies of the Civil War type was him. Loved War.. I come from family yes cousins & brothers was on both sides. Out of VA & now WV. Yes people that is 2 states now. The Sadness story was 1 a bunch of us was with Lee at Appomattox everybody was going home.This 1 cousin ( before you ask yes this was a other cousin) He had a young son he never seen before. He took off away from everyone else trying hurry up to get home to see his son. That was last anybody seen of him. That is pretty sad story I feel. We don't know what happened to him to this day. Today's I guess he be a MIA.

[@natecrosman9506]

The Lakota and Sioux are the same tribe. The white settlers gave them the name "Sioux" as a derogatory term meaning "snake in the grass."

[@panderson9561]

Garry Owens Adelman?

[@catatonic9216]

Meant live

[@tritontransport]

Great video but the cemetery has nothing to do with the battlefield area. It’s a national cemetery and as a veteran and part native I have requested to be buried there when I croak

[@terryeustice5399]

If his commander’s had done what he ordered. Custer would have had a exit. But, there was terrible miscommunication. This Custers last stand. 😢

[@eoyguy]

Disagree. Had Reno continued his attack, all of his men would have been killed just like Custer's. Benteen didn't leave Reno and go to Custer because of the poor shape that command was in, having a number of dead and many wounded. They also didn't know just how many of the warriors would return and attack them again, Benteen had to go on Reno's information of what happened and what could happen to his men. Honestly, even with Benteens command hurrying forward, I don't see them saving Custer. Custers men were already being wiped out by the time Benteen reach Reno, and they were still 2-3 miles away from Custer, through hostile territory. They wouldn't just ride there at full gallop, they would have to stop, deploy and fight. And honestly the traditional and glorious "last stand' really didn't happen. In any fight, there are the last to be killed, and thats what happened.

[@stevejette2329]

At 4:11 there is a plaque that takes 30 seconds to read. The camera was there for less than 2 seconds, not even enough time to hit pause. Also, to get an overview, the viewer needs some directions, north, east, west, south ... especially if the camera points in all directions. Having been to Gettysburg, I could make sense of it but not here. Thanks !

[@billlawrence1899]

I first visited that battlefield in 1964, and have returned several times. Back then it was called the "Custer Battlefield". I have to admit the Indians had a point. Since when is a battlefield named after the loser? Now it's the "Little Bighorn Battlefield". PS, Custer was a jerk. He certainly was no coward. He was a very brave jerk, but a jerk none the less. If you're still out in that part of the country and travelling by road, on your way back east you should take a detour and visit Rushmore. I'd wager you already have or plan to. While there, head on over to the town of Custer ( There's that name again! Why would someone name a town for that jackass? ) and visit the Crazy Horse Monument. Under construction since 1947, and still in progress, it's the greatest work of sculpture in the world. An entire mountain carved into the likeness of Chief Crazy Horse mounted on his horse, arm raised pointing. It commemorates that moment in time when he had been taken by the US Army, some smartass soldier taunted him asking "Where's your land now", to which he replied "My lands are where my dead lie buried". This project was the brainchild of one man, a master sculptor who had worked on Rushmore, and a man who slept only a few hours out of 24 and never took a day off. He went to work alone with 47 dollars to his name, married, raised a family, knowing he would never live to see it complete, left detailed instructions on how to proceed, which his family carries on to this day. Anyone interested really should look up Korczak Ziolkowski.

[@mrdave777]

Can you name one Custer attribute? Lol

[@billlawrence1899]

@@mrdave777 I admitted he was brave. A brave jackass. :). He liked to fight and led from the front.

[@jarboyjarboy6855]

@@mrdave777 He was a great cavalry commander in the civil war.

[@mrdave777]

@@billlawrence1899 He was also trying to get his name back. Montana was his ticket. And he lost dearly. 2 brothers, nephew, bro in law all lost. To fight a battle with fresh Indians. Fresh Indian horses. What a nightmare.

[@billlawrence1899]

I don't know if he had much tactical acumen. He would charge headlong into a fight, and he led from the front . Men respect that.

[@MrJal67]

Custer was a fool, and his men paid for it. He is only legendary due to his wifes dogged insistence that he be regarded as such.

[@15thga87]

Custer got exactly what he was asking for. Couldn't have happened to a better man.

[@indianjoe52]

Agree

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

I have no respect for Custer. In my opinion he was a hot dog and a glory hound. He is lucky in the truck before the surrender that General Longstreet didn't shoot him. He was reckless with his men & besides all the others he got his two brothers a brother-in-law & a nephew killed at little Big Horn. I can't begin to imagine his mother's grief. Crazy Horse learned his lesson well from Red Cloud at the Fetterman massacre & knew the power of joining bands & tribes together. I guess Custer should have done his homework better. I fail to see why we continue to glorify Custer. Oh & lest we forget this battle was an ongoing attempt at genocide of a people & a culture who had been here for 13000 yrs. to satisfy the sheer unadulterated greed of the white men. Shame on our ancestors. They have much to answer for.

[@tracysrocket]

It was an historical event. It happened. We all know the background. That is what makes it even more interesting. We could just sweep the battle under the rug and forget about the brave Sioux and Cheyenne warriors and their way of life, along with all other history you don't approve of.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

I never said we should sweep anything under the rug. As a history lover I read & watch everything I can. While this video did not glorify Custer there are many who do.

[@ecr-9341]

Nobody cares.

[@josephhinton5489]

The murderous fame seekers got what they deserved for their inhumanity to man.