Younger Readers: Introduction

Introduction

For Younger Readers

Hello Friends. Welcome to Bighorn, Big Hole, and Beyond, or BBBB. I hope you are a history lover just like I am, just like I was from my earliest childhood memories. Looking back to the years even before I started grade school, I recall having a particular interest in the early American West. I thrived on history and historical fiction, and I hope I can make this site as interesting and inviting for you as it would have been for me at a young age.

This site that you have visited is dedicated to discussions and information regarding a few high-points in the history of America and Montana Territory. Over the next few years I plan to touch on events from here in my home state as they commemorate their 150^th anniversaries. Much of the American West was unsettled as America reached its first centennial, or 100^th anniversary. So now, as America celebrates its 250^th birthday I will focus on events that happened during and 1876, America’s centennial year. I’ll look at 1877 events too.

The first of those events is the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in which Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer and five troops of the Seventh U.S. Cavalry were completely wiped out. That battle occurred on June 25, 1876, less than two weeks before America celebrated her 100^th birthday. (In a future post I will explain why Custer is still often called “General” Custer.) Through my younger years that fateful battle was usually called Custer’s Last Stand, and it is still often referred to by that name.

The second event, or series of events, is the tragic story of three Nez Perce bands that fled to Montana Territory in search of peace and freedom. They fought a series of battles to defend themselves, both before they reached Montana Territory and as they journeyed through it. Their passage has been called a tactical, defensive retreat. Those events largely ended with a final battle in which they were attacked near the Bear’s Paw, or Bearpaw, Mountains. They finally, tragically surrendered less than 40 miles from Canada, where they sought freedom.

That sad and tragic journey took place in 1877. The 150^th anniversaries of the Big Hole and Bearpaw battles, as well as several others, will be observed in 2027. My discussions and posts will continue as we commemorate those anniversaries too.

As for me, I was blessed not only to be born an American but also to be born and raised in the middle of Montana. My home has long been central to locations and events I will explore and discuss here. Growing up in Fort Benton, Montana on the Missouri River, I was steeped in history, including that of Lewis and Clark’s Voyage of Discovery. I was also steeped in history and lore of the Fur Trade Era and much of western settlement. Fur forts and military forts had once dotted the region I called home, and I reveled in many aspects of their history.

On a map, Fort Benton lies directly between the Big Hole battlefield and the Bearpaw Mountains, where the final Nez Perce battle occurred. The Little Bighorn lies hours to the east and south, but near enough for me to visit it at times. I’ve relished the many good-quality museums around the region too. In quality they rival nearly any museum I have seen in more populous areas, and I would venture to say they are often better.

My earliest recollections include a natural desire to be out in the open, wild country that makes up so much of the West. Outdoor pursuits have offered lifelong opportunities to get a feel for these historical landscapes where history unfolded. These lands have always been treasured by those who inhabit them, whether nomadic Plains Indian tribes or the settlers who moved in believing the land was free for the taking. Conflicts that resulted will be discussed in coming months.

My hope is that readers of all ages will receive enjoyment and education here, through painless postings on a few high points in the history of Montana and America. Please visit often, and let me know what you like, what you want me to cover, and what you believe I can do better. Welcome to BBB!