One of the lone markers, I think ip on one of the knolls, was for Sgt. Butler. They found his body with carbine casings littered around his body. He supposedly put up a hell of a fight. There are Indian accounts of a lone wounded trooper who stood up near or at the end of the battle, and just started firing at warriors, killing several until he was outflanked and killed. I think Chief Gall said the warriors couldn't close on Butler for a while, bc of his volume of fire. Sgt. Butler was known marksman in the 7th cavalry. That's a badass right there. I hope that story has truth

I’ve been to Little Bighorn several times it is such a surreal place, very solemn it’s one of my favorite subjects and extremely fascinating.

Just discovered your channel. Very well put together and very interesting. Just became your newest subscriber. Decades ago, I accidently spent the night in Custers battlefield, trapped by a lightening storm with my motorcycle, I rode into a field of tall grass and set up camp. That night the wind roared and the lightening flashed which thrilled and terrified me. In the morning I seen the markers as I rode off. Was like camping while a ghostly battle ragged. My Great, Great, great grandfather, Chief Bad Whirlwind is said, in our family, to have been there at the battle, Rosebud Sioux.

Keogh's force seemed to maintain relative cohesion during the battle. He died with many of his men in close proximity, and apparently was still riding his mount, Comanche, who was recovered alive by U. S. troops and had a wound on him corresponding with one in Keogh's leg.

Great video! The best realistic topographical map study of the battlefield I've ever seen. It makes it so much easier to understand the lay of the land, and where the bodies were found. No doubt in that large area there are still bodies and personal artifacts that have yet to be found, and probably never will be. The only question I have is: what about the Reno battlefield across the river? Has that been excavated as well? There's definitely a lot of history and artifacts buried over there too.

This is a superb video with a very innovative overhead illustration of the markers. I really like how you identified the markers and gave commentary. Wish it was longer :)

Very nice explanation. This is a unique place. I walked around many markers on mostly designated paths sometime on visiting in the 1980s. A week before a grass fire had swept over much of the area which left a haunting appearance to it all. As I understand many artifacts have been exposed over the years following grass fires.

Another excellent video, thanks. I visited the battlefield in 2020, fulfilling a bucket list item as I have always been fascinated with the fight. It was eerie and powerful to be there where it happened. The area was smaller than I imagined. I hope to go back when I have more time to explore.

I really enjoyed this very in depth video. It kept my attention, and interest. Work well done. Look forward to more.

I have watched all of your videos. All well done with a professional quality. Please keep them coming, with hopes that you get more well deserved subscribers.

Well researched. Pretty much indicates a disordered and panicked rout.

A superlative video! I visited the battlefield about ten years ago and spent a better part of the day exploring it. As I viewed many of the same locations and markers covered in this video, each stop became a highly emotional experience of what transpired at the Little Bighorn. As an ardent student of all things “west”, I became an instant subscriber and eagerly look forward to more of your well-researched content.

Outstanding video! Superbly done.

New to your channel but find the video exceptionally well done. It has some of the best topographical maps and explanations i have seen on the Custer battle. Personal comments on the markers and those who died there and how add immensely to understanding the battle. Look forward to viewing all the videos you create on this battle.

I am one of the many who could read about or watch videos about this battle at any excuse. I really like the way you present your "story" and evidence in a clear and logical way. Yes, I am subscribed.

Was there Sept 2023. An awe inspiring experience. Five miles between Last Stand Hill and Reno Hill, farther than I ever imagined.

Thanks. I haven't been to the battlefield since the last time I walked it with my father back in the 1970's just before he suddenly died. This both jogs my memory and helps clarify what must have been a chaotic situation. I need to go back.

An interesting topic of the Little Big Horn, I had always been under the impression that the markers actually marked where bodies were found, and while there were many unknowns, those markers with names are where identified were found.

Thanks for the detailed research.

I know this is rather old but I just found your channel and I LOVE IT. You are doing a great job. Please keep it up.

I donated a small amount of money back in the late 1980s to help preserve the battlefield, and am the proud owner of a Deed of Trust that states "Know all men that 200 square feet of native grassland in the Valley of the Little Bighorn have been designated in your name." I didn't make much money back then, but I wanted to preserve history. I used to receive publications, due to my small donation, and kept one, in particular, that spells out the forensic evidence of how the archeologists were able to positively identify Custer Scout, Mitch Boyer, and Reno Sgt Miles O'hara. The publication is entitled "Greasy Grass, A Day of Legend-When Courage and Destiny Meet", published by Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association, Volume 4, Annual for the Battlefield Dispatch, May 1988. There are several other historically significant articles within that annual. I have never been to the battle site and it is on my list of places to visit. I usually hunt obscure battle and ambush sites in Arizona during the Apache Wars, since they are closer to me, but I'll chase American History wherever my vehicle takes me! Thanks again, for yet another great historical video.

There are recognized Unknown Soldiers from most of our wars/ conflicts prior to the Vietnam war. Descendant Societies (DAR, SAR, SUV, SCV, etc) lay wreaths and care of them. In my first few years in the Army, I was fortunate to have the opportunity and the ability to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1978-79. I am the 206th recipient of the very rare and extremely hard to earn Tomb Guard Identification Badge. As we say: "Soldiers never die until they're forgotten; Tomb Guards never forget."

Fantastic video. What future battles do you plan on covering? I eagerly await your next projects!

Interesting video. I visited this battlefield only once, in 1971 on a cross country drive when I was 19. Still have the pictures I took.

Great documentary!!!

Very well done! Learned a ton from this video

In that area of the country there are flash floods from intense rainstorms. Anything in Deep Ravine almost 150 years ago would likely have been washed away or buried deeply from erosion of the sides of the ravine over time. Excellent video and obviously well researched.

Totally enjoyed and appreciated this video. Though I thought I heard CaLvary once. I've been to LBH battlefield once but dream to explore it again. Thanks for your videos!

Great layout and narrative.

You sir just earned yourself another subscriber. Great videos.

Great video! 👍🏼

Superb info, all the best from scotland uk

Many WW1 British battlefield cemeteries in Northern France have grave markers over graves where men actually fell. There are also memorials over men who died in the tunneling actions and their bodies were never recovered.

Excellent video. I've subscribed.

Excellent tribute 🇺🇸

Having visited the site, spending a whole day there…I praise this video..only wishing the videographer would SLOW DOWN and allow a bit more time to absorb each feature and comment. Otherwise, THANK YOU for the excellent presentation. Much enjoyed the reminisce.

I live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. In our oldest city cemetary is the headstone of Col William Winder Cooke. Born here, he later traveled south and volunteered for the U.S. army and fought in the civil war. An article from the local paper in 2021 states that he was with the 7th Cavalry and was K.I.A. at the Little Big Horn. Buried at the sight of the battle but a year later his family exumed his remains and transferred them to his home here in Hamilton. I am interested in what unit within the 7th he served with, and any record of where he fell. Do any of your records indicate a complete list of all who were there that day? Any information from your channel, subscribers or readers would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou again, and continue the good work🇨🇦🇺🇲

I have visited the battlefield several times over the past 50 years. It holds very special spiritual feelings for me. I am a Blackfeet Indian by heritage. I'm very proud of that. I can also appreciate the horror of the battle on both combatants sides. I believe strongly that Custer was seeking glory that day and led his men into their fateful sudden demise. Two Moons, a Cheyenne Chief was quoted, "the battle happened as fast as a hungry man would take to eat his dinner."

There is a map drawn by Benteen of locations of the dead bodies. Those markers on the map are FAR different than what is present day body locations. On his map, there is also a number of bodies in a line in a ravine that is near the entrance gate of the park.

I've heard that the bodies in deep ravine were never recovered, I know that there was a search for them several years ago after the fire on the battlefield, but nothing was found. I believe that a number of markers were placed because they had too many markers and just placed them here and there so they didn't have to take them back to the fort. In any case looking forward to other videos on the topic. Also Lt. Crittenden's body was buried on the battlefield as pre his father's request but that it was moved in the 30's when the road was built.

Wow. Definitely a place that we need to check out.

Excellent work and a great video, thank you very much. A tip for editors everywhere... on every map in human history, THE TOP OF THE PAGE IS NORTH!!!!!!!!!! Disorienting a map makes it confusing and virtually impossible to comprehend, especially for those who aren't already intimately familiar with the ground. For the love of pete, turn the freaking map the right way. NORTH IS UP. ALWAYS.

Last comment, I stand very Humble! After listening 🎧🎧 very intently to your Very Fine explanation of the site and Engagement aftermath? All I can ask is you Forgive my mistaken comment from before. Again Thank You.

We stumbled upon this memorial and battleground taking a detour for fun on a cross country trip with our doggies back in 2018. The memory of this visit dwarfs the actual trip we went on.

Excellent graphics and well narrated. Given the evidence you reference is there an appetite to reassess the markers and move any of them? I do hope that you continue your uploads. Thank you for the lovely history lessons.

I visited the battlefield about four years ago, for the first time and was surprised how vast the scattering of these markers over such a large area. It pretty much destroyed every Hollywood depiction of Custer’s last stand. With the on-site description from the park guides the whole event almost sounded anticlimactic violent. I went away thinking that if every part of the vast battlefield was accurately depicted with re-enactors one would almost think it all kind of boring and in impressive.

It’s not the only battlefield in the world to have markers showing where men fell, there are similar markers in South Africa at the battle of Isandlwana

The Little Big Horn battlefield might be the only battlefield in America that has grave markers showing were the fallen was either killed or were their bodies was found. But it's not the only place in the world. Along the First World War Vosges sector of the Wester Front in France you have something very similar. On one of the bloody battlefields of this sector, Lingekopf or Collet de Linge as it's called in French the battlefield is almost perfectly preserved, both in the small memorial parc there but also outside it. Here the battlefield is littered with shell holes, intact trenches, bunkers and dugouts, barbed wire and ordnance. But what really stands out are the white and black crosses that litter this mountain top battlefield. Some bare a name, but most just a short text informing that the bodie of a unknown fallen French or German soldier of the Great War was found and excavated on the spot were these crosses now stand. And there are many of them. Especially the white crosses marking French fallen are numerous. For anyone with an interest in military history and the First World War especially Lingekopf is a must visit as it's one the best preserved First World War battlefield in the world. And thanks to the any white and black crosses the slaughter becomes so much more pugnant and real. 17.000 French and German soldiers were killed in action at the Lingekopf. And many of them have yet to been found. They lay undisturbed were they were killed a little over 100 years ago. Sadly it's a battlefield that is almost completely forgotten or ingnored by the English speaking historians and history enthusiasts. But if you don't speak French or German a friend of mine, Pierre, has written a very interesting and photo rich article about the Lingekopf battlefield: www.pierreswesternfront.nl/alsace-vosges-lingekopf-le-linge

As a former police officer and also archaeologist, I can tell you that cadaver dogs have been used to find graves over 3,000 years old (and did so successfully.) Hint, hint....

Nice video, I've been there several times. I even got to take part in escorting a soldiers body to the cemetery there. His remains were found over seas and returned to the U.S. My wife and I were Patriot Guard Riders at the time.

Thank you. Can I buy a book of your Map and information? I have been trying to find a map of the markers. ( The accuracy details would be great to have too) ? I read that some markers were meant to be replacements but were just set by the old marker..thus making the doubles. I don't know if that is true.

Great and informative video. Question, are any remains still being found or seeking as modern ground penetrating equipment is advanced? If so, are the remains reburied at another location, whether identified or not?

Love the videos ...one small addition. Technically there is another battlefield that has the stones where they fell ... The Battle of Isandlwana in South Africa. British met a very similar fate against the zulus on a greater scale, just 3 years after the Little Bighorn.

Good job.

Thank you.

Not quite the only place in the world with these types of markers on the battlefield, you also see a similar example with the burial cairns on the Isandlwana battlefield.

I have a theory. Perhaps there are no bodies in deep ravine because they were moved because erosion would surely expose the Graves in as little as one really wet winter. The bodies were probably scooped onto tarps and dragged to a more stable spot for burial.

I, like a million others, have visited the Custer battlefield. We spent two days there. I find it incredible that anyone would find ANY of these markers to be completely accurate. That's ludicrous. This battle occurred in 1976! Please, it was years later, with crude implements, that these sites were identified. No one should be surprised if there are inaccuracies. The battlefield itself, stretched over a three or four mile area is expansive. We're lucky to have what we do have. We visit a lot of national parks, but I found this one particularly interesting and beautiful in it's unique way. The artifacts at the Custer Battle Field museum are incredible. Do people know that Custer was completely disgusted with the Indian agents sent out from Washington DC that were stealing funds and food intended for the Indians? He testified before congress on this and became 'personna non grata' within the Grant administration. He was punished with an assignment to the far western region of the US. His brother, who died at The Little Big Horn also, Tom Custer is the holder of "two" Congressional Medals of Honor for his service during the Civil War. There is so much more to this story than the urban legends surrounding it. George Custer's wife Libby spent the rest of her life trying to clear her husband's name and some of the false information spread afterwards. It's one hell of a piece of history.

There's markers everywhere even on private lands alot were moved or took I heard that some old ranchers would use the tomb stones on thier machines for weight very sad and it's very spooky out there too on my reservation.

For anyone interested in a very detailed look into the battlefield with detailed maps I highly recommend heading over to the Custer Apollo KZfaq channel. He takes you on a very detailed tour of the entire battlefield and all the major spots of interest. kzfaq.info

So are the markers without bodies just randomly placed?

I remember Custer left his Gatling guns behind, but how far behind the columns ? It would be interesting to find out if they could have been brought up to help in the fight.

Have you heard of Isandlwana. You will see grave markers spread out over thousands of yards. All tracing the battle and flight, just like Little Bighorn. The similarity is uncanny.

Was there as a kid…..in 1962…..very haunting.

Amongst all the other inconsistencies is the fate of sgt. Finckle. See the documentary on the man claiming to have survived the battle, custers last man. Although first identified as finckles remains his best friend later viewed them and said it wasn't him.

I have visited the site twice. It is very humbling to see and hear the "stories of heroism", but a survivor of the event, said it took place in less time that " a hungry man takes to eat his dinner". The soldiers and natives were both victims, and my sympathy is shared between both parties.

There should be more markers over on Reno hill. Just from the battle report they had more the two KIA. Plus a number of killed in Reno’s skirmish line and the retreat up the bluff.

How many markers on the other side?

Have you been to Charley Reynolds marker or memorial? I looked for it in 76 in the valley, but could not find it.

Very interesting and gives an idea how kaotic this battle was . It would be cool to try and combine the archeological information and history and generate a computer model. Maybe a hypothetical start and end at markers where men fell from both sides. I didn't like that one marker on the footpath. It just seems like people will trample on final resting spot

You have to wonder why a pathway is constructed to go over a marker position!

I would love to be able to go back in time and watch this battle as it happened.

Any commentary about Custer not being killed on last stand hill? Some First American testimonies say he was killed just before the river and dragged up the hill by his men. Not recognized as Custer, but as a leader as he was riding up front waving his hat.

Niceeee 👍😁👍

In 1976 I was told there was an 8 foot Sasquatch walking among the dead men

I visited the battlefield in 2019, knowing next to nothing about the details. Since then I have read about half a dozen books specifically about the battle and Custer. This video is very interesting and I will have to follow your channel.

Great Aerial video and synopsis of the Battle areas. Though we will never know exactly where every soldier fell due to so many factors. I find it Interesting - during the Battles-surely some Sioux and Cheyenne fell also! As far as I can tell- No markers seem to exist to point that out! I believe it was likely because after the Battle-the Sioux and Cheyenne removed their Dead for proper burial?!!!

I walked the Battlefield, I think in 1974, spooky place with still much to reveal to a careful archeologist. Like statistics commemorative actions can created a false story that endures until proper detail investigation is carried out. I took several courses in statistics and was taught how false impressions can be generated in ways the numbers are represented with different drawings and cutoff graphs. The lesson there are lies, damn lies and statistics mishandled.

A great victory that day , a much deserved one.

My history teacher told us Custer was one of the last killed. Bull! A thousand Indians and all of them wanting to count coup on yellow hair, he was one of the very first to die

I was born there. There's more markers and graves off the battlefields in the farm ground where the indian camps were.

A lot of officers and few enlisted. With so many markers a significant distance from Last Stand Hill, I wonder if these individuals were “taken prisoner” and executed away from the main group.

I was there in 1975 or 76, and the one thing that sticks out in my mind is seeing a lone marker way up on a hillside with nothing else around it. And I was thinking that this guy was getting the Hell outta there! But he didn't make it.

I like you to share your thoughts on a topic I came up with based on what I've read. Have you given any consideration to whether Custer may have died from a self inflicted gun shot wound?

The Army didn't go back to the battlefield until a year later. So much for evidence and identifying and recovering bodies.

Great work sitting Bull👍

It is not the only place in the world where markers are placed where soldiers fell. The Battle of Isandlwana - Anglo - Zulu War also has piles of stone (graves) where the soldiers fell. Isandlwana is a similar situation as Custers Last Stand.

Per accounts of the first burial party first markers mostly just sticks and boards. A second burial attempt over a year later involved gathering bones dug up and scattered by predators. Current marker locations should be general indicators. considered

I don’t think it matters how accurate they are. What they stand for does. It’s a peaceful place, a beautiful place. Thanks

I was fascinated with this as a child. Seems like our technology has somehow diminished historical events or maybe it's just the passage of time.

No original markers were placed in the valley or on Reno hill. All the original markers were placed on the Custer battlefield. They had far to many so they paired a lot of them up.

Hi interesting. Not sure about this video date I've heard they clearly found Henry Harrington's body. Check wiki perhaps. Really Good video thanks

A descendent of the Civil war, Custer was elected to head out to Sioux City South Dakota reservation in the America's -in an effort , to build & sign a treaty between the two American nations for a revamp of the World. After the Counter-city strategy, which begun in April 1965 involving Hispanics and their mixes. Our tutorial's tell us "that we will negotiate with the conflict & not leave them penniless. The Sioux is an extension of my native American roots and I am here to say "we will be honored & will revamp our mother earth. Lisa

Strikingly beautiful the west is . Nothing there to this day really.

When I visited O believed the markers were approximate and many were just there to represent the fallen soldiers. There are no markers for any of the Soux

Custer managed to take a good number of his family.

at 6:30, reader says calvary (the hill on which jesus was crucified) instead of cavalry (mounted soldiers).

What of custers body ?

The music sounds like theme to Napoleon Dynamite

Excellent. Seems to support Indian testimony that there was a running fight all the way to battle ridge from the river. Looks to me like E and F cos retreated first to the south of battle ridge and that C and L and I cos retreated to thd right if ridge but got torn apart while retreating. E was destroyed around deep Ravine. F and HQ made it to last stand hill. But it was all over very quickly . I never really believed Richard Fox's archeology stuff. Inferred too much from too little data.