True, I was going to retire this ride after 5 great years.  But I was asked to reconsider by many that still want this historic opportunity to follow in Custer's, Reno's and Weir's hoof prints.  Alas, I have agreed to return, but with a few positive additions and changes that were suggested by those that have ridden with me along the Little Bighorn River.  So, once again, I offer you ..........

Another exciting, historic adventure, tracing Custer’s Ride to Glory, including 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.

The Ride

Saturday, June 23

Cavalry training is most important to this reenactment.  We must know the commands and look sharp for the audience, which numbers in the hundreds.  This afternoon you will be taught, while on horseback, those cavalry commands most used during the reenactment.

Sunday, June 24

Our group relives one of the most celebrated, controversial, and debated military events in America:  the Battle of the Little Bighorn, located at Medicine Tail Coulee, and held in front of a live  audience.  We'll join other re-enactors that have traveled from around the globe to participate in this exhilarating, adrenaline-rush mock battle.

Monday & Tuesday, June 25 & 26

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 to the "Great American Adventure" group to ride this route, accompanied by a Crow scout.

Wednesday, June 27th

To complete our knowledge of events, we'll ride Reno's Retreat, accompanied by two historians, one a blood relative of White Swan and Curly, two of Custer's Crow scouts.

This afternoon we'll ride to Weir Point, where Captain Thomas Weir, having heard the sounds of the guns and assuming Custer was engaged, took his troopers - probably the last men to witness the debacle at Last Stand Hill.

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

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

Saturday, June 23

•     Arrive Hardin, Montana during the day 

                    (suggestion: arrive Hardin a day or so early to enjoy the festivities during "Little Bighorn Days")

•      4:00 pm – Meet & Greet Dinner at the chuckwagon

                    (suggestion: arrive at Medicine Tail Coulee early for the 1:00 pm production of "Custer's Last Stand / "Battle of the Little Bighorn")

•      Late afternoon - Cavalry Training ... sometime after an early dinner

•      Additional riding as required to acquaint yourself with your horse for the next day's reenactment

Book Your Reservation: s.m.shaw@msn.com ~ or ~ call Steve at 505-286-4585