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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle Openings 1978 Page Eighteen Murderous incompetent or victim of circumstance ? from page 17 itself was disappointing. More than 250,000 tourists stream through the visitor center each year between May and September; but since no camping facilities are offered near the monument, they seldom stay longer than it takes to cover the essentials (the two most asked questions, according to one ranger, are 1) Where is Custer's grave? and 2) Where are the rest rooms? The Park Service is guilty of administrating the place in such a way that 10 minutes is a long time. Granted, the Inter- ior Department has made budget cuts in the past few years, and in all fairness there are rangers at the monument who are interested in the battle. But the Park Service operates like the military, with personnel transferred according to need at the various national parks and monuments; and there are undoubtedly at least a few rangers who would rather be serving in a more aesthetically pleasing place than the dry, hot dirt of a southern Montana hilltop. The "ranger talks" are often conducted by people who have read only the pamphlets at the visitor center (one ranger admitted to me that he discourages questions "I don't know much more than they do," he said). The answer, according to most Custer enthusiasts would be for the U.S. Army to take over administration of the battlefield. The Army, they argue, has a greater interest in accurate military history than the Park Service, and would do a better job in recreating the atmosphere of event. There is an untapped potential at the Custer Battlefield. With a little creativity, it would be possible to take people back to that hot June afternoon a hundred years ago, to give them a taste of what it was like on those bluffs. It's certainly not being done now. n Thursday: Today we hiked the half of the battlefield, covering most of the area where fighting occurred and someone lived to discuss it. The names are romantic: Weir Point, the high knoll where Sergeant Weir and his men were stopped in their vain attempt to reach Custer's separated batallions. Martin's Ridge, the point where Custer is thought to have been last seen alive. Water Carrier's Draw, the exposed gully Reno-Bentee- down which volunteers scrambled to fill canteens and kettles from the Little Big n Horn water for the wounded at defense site. In their haste to make it back to safety, more than one man returned with only a few swallows remaining, the rest having sloshed out during the climb back up the bluffs. Indeed, it does sound romantic; history always does. But what was it really like that afternoon? One hundred years later, with the luxuries of automobiles, coleman stoves and interstates, we are insulated. We are so removed from the days of the Indian wars, it is becoming increasingly hard to even imagine a time when 40 miles was a hard day's travel, or when water was not something that came from a faucet. We have left Custer and the cavalry and the Old West behind us in our love affair with progress. And yet, there are people who do have a feel for the events of June 25, 1876. Moran is one; there are undoubtedly others. And it's not hard to tell: just get them near the battlefield. When they look through their binoculars and scan the valley from the Crow's Nest, you'll see the transformation, the feeling. Or when they're standing in a wheat field that was once a parade ground for the Seventh Cavalry you find them simply staring into the distance in the direction of the Little Big Horn, you'll see the feeling again. They know the battle, and the characters who were there; they seem able to hurdle the obstacles of a hundred if not analytically, years and understand what then intuitively transpired. Friday: If you ever get the opportunity, take a walk among the grave markers at Custer Battlefield. The real spirit of the place is there, out among the white stones that mark where Seventh Cavalry soldiers fell. The field is a collection of high hills and steep-side- d gullies, like the one where members of Gray Horse company were trapped and killed by the Sioux west of the last stand area. Trails weave around the field, showing where tourists have tromped in their efforts to see each marker, though the great majority read simply, "U.S. Soldier fell here June 25, 1876" (the Army in those days made no effort to identify enlisted men, only officers). Reno-Bentee- But most tourists do not imture far from the monument, and the walk is well worth it. Simply hike out about a hundred yards or so and find a place to sit. From there you'll see the last stand area the highest point on the field where Custer made his last retreat; you'll see the stark outlines of Weir Point; n you'll see the flat plateau of the defense site; and you 11 probably not Reno-Bentee- forget. Just what is it about the battle that intrigues so many people? Who knows.' One historian said we find the Battle of the Little Big Horn interesting because it contains so many classic elements: the few against Lynn Sugarman Booty from the Little Big Horn. This slug from Custer's Last Stand was a gift to the author from a Little Big Horn Valley resident. An estimated 90 percent of the shells fired in the battle have been found. People in Denmark have been wearing wooden shoes for over 200 years. Now, in Trolley Square, there is a store that specializes in high quality wooden shoes. Drop in and see us. Try on the comfort people have been wearing for over 200 years. Full & Half B ack Clogs for Men Women & Children S. Clog-boot- s the multitude, the fight to the death on the hilltop and the great leader ultimately being the last to die. And that's probably as good an answer as any. I know it will be difficult not to go back. arriving October 1. CLOGS LTD. Upstairs Trolley Square 532-331- 6 |
