September 2, Day 6. Since we are staying in Billings two nights, we had a relatively leisurely morning. In fact, Judy had to conduct some Elmhurst University business this morning. Does that mean we can deduct part of the trip???

Maybe a short quarter of a mile from our camper is the Yellowstone River as it flows through Billings, MT. Closer than that is a dry braid at this time of year of the Yellowstone River.

Little Bighorn Battlefield

I think this is the first battlefield I have visited that wasn't Civil War related. The first shot os of what is now a cemetery erected where so many soldiers died. All of the white head stones indicate the U.S. Army and those attached who died here.

Next is is the explanation of what you see.

This is the memorial that was there for the longest time commemorating only the deaths of those trying to put the Native Americans off their own land.

In the 1990's the park service finally began to honor the Native Americans who essentially gave their last stand here, too. It wasn't too long after this battle that Crazy Horse and others gave up and were relegated to the reservation where instead of truly being protected and respected as the treaty spelled out their lives were not good.

The installation below was designed by a Native American to honor the Indians lost here and applaud the bravery of all the Indians who fought here. Also, in the '90's, brown or red headstones were erected around the battlefield to mark where the Indians died.

    

Near the beginning of the road along the battlefield we saw this bush. There was nothing to indicate what it was so it probably isn't official. Judy wondered if it wasn't some kind of spirit or prayer bush. Seems plausible to me.

What struck me most about this site was how immense the battlefield was. There is really far more than within the boundaries of the park. Custer knew the Indian encampment was there when he was 1 miles away.

This a must see  when near Billings.