True West’s "Great American Adventures" presents an exciting, historic adventure, tracing Custer’s Ride to Glory, culminating in the annual reenactment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn on the Crow’s Reservation, near Hardin, Montana, situated along the Little Bighorn River.

Background - Little Bighorn Battle

June 24, 1876

  High up in the Wolf Mountains, in a squat double-peaked ridge called the Crow's Nest, the 7th Cavalry's Crow and Arikara scouts could clearly see the village and large herd of some 20,000 ponies, "like worms crawling on the grass," fifteen miles away.  They wanted a "Light Eyes" to confirm the sighting.  Twenty-seven year old Lt. Charles Varnum, Chief of Scouts, rode to the "Nest," while Custer's column continued their march into the night, "dark as pitch."  Around 2:00 AM, the column was halted, both men and horses totally exhausted.

June 25, 1876

 The Lakota called this day Moon of the Ripe Juneberries.  Unbeknownst to the large encampment of Sioux, Cheyenne and Sans Arc, they had been found the night before!  It was approximately 8:00 AM when word was passed by Varnum that the 7th Cavalry's Crow scouts had spotted a large village in the Little Bighorn valley.  Custer decided to see for himself and rode out with Bloody Knife, who told a friend, "We'll find enough Sioux to keep us fighting two or three days."  Custer replied, "I guess we'll get through them in one day."  Custer joined Varnum's party.  Varnum admitted he, himself, had not seen the village, but the Crow's were adamant.  Custer gazed through the lieutenant's spyglass, but due to the morning haze and campfire smoke, could not see anything.  Mitch Bouyer, "the best guide in the country," told Custer, "If you don't find more Indians in that valley than you ever saw together, you can hang me."  Custer, frustrated, believed his scouts and Bouyer - the largest concentration of Indians he had ever confronted awaited him.

The Crow's also believed the village knew of the 7th Cavalry's presence.  It was believed the alarm would be sounded throughout the encampment and the Indians would scatter.  Custer's plan to rest his men throughout the day and attack on the 26th was thwarted!  The 7th had to advance at once.  Custer ordered the attack.  The heat and dust, coupled with the lack of water, contributed to the suffering of both men and horses, but on they pressed -- on to glory.

Custer Needs 7th Cavalry Troopers!!   Relieve History!  Join the 7th Cavalry and ride to glory .............

The Ride

Tuesday, June 21

Cavalry training will be held near Medicine Tail Coulee, adjacent to the Little Bighorn River.  It is here that Custer is thought to have flanked the Sioux Indian village and was repulsed to Last Stand Hill.

Wednesday and Thursday, June 22 & 23

From Custer's Last Camp, our trail will wind toward the Crow’s Nest, where we'll rest for lunch and discuss the historic area.  Bring your spyglass!

Few people since Custer have ridden from the Crow’s Nest into the Little Bighorn Valley. The Crow Indian Agency has given permission for True West’s "Great American Adventure" group to ride this route, accompanied by a Crow scout and the man Congress has acknowledged as Custer’s "Foremost Living Historian," Steve Alexander.

Please Note:  Men and women are invited on this historic ride (I get that question a lot)

Also Note:  I'm recruiting for Cavalry only.  Indians are provided by the Crow Reservation. 

Monday, June 20

   Arrive Hardin, Montana

   7:00 pm – meet & greet in Hardin for dinner (dinner on own) - TBD

Includes

• Trained horses (you’ll be matched to a horse based on riding abilities)

• Tack (use of personal saddles, especially McClellan’s encouraged)

• Wranglers

• Three meals a day (sack lunches for saddlebags when riding)

• 5-in-1 blanks

Not Included

• Transportation to and from Hardin, Montana

• Motels (see Motels) / rental cars (if needed)

• Requisite uniforms and holsters (see Dress Code for suggestions and merchants)

Book Your Reservation: s.m.shaw@msn.com

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