Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield Mission Statement

The Friends is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) association formed in 1996 under then Superintendent Gerard Baker and officially established in 1998 when we signed our first Memorandum of Agreement with the National Park Service. The Friends purpose is to raise funds to aid and directly promote management programs and objectives of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield is the official National Park Service cooperating association affiliated with the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Best Website on the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Our website continues to be the highest ranking on the Battle of the Little Bighorn in awards and visitation. Thanks for visiting.

The Friends Board of Directors

President, Bob Reece

Vice President, Clifford Long Sioux - Eaglefeathers

Secretary, Lola Mauer

Treasurer, Kay Hunsaker

Jerry Jasmer

Neil Mangum

Winfield Russell

Mike Semenock

Ryan Trainor

Robert Utley

Historical Background

The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (Custer Battlefield)  is located near Crow Agency, Montana.  The Battle of the Little Bighorn, known to many as Custer's Last Stand, was fought on June 25-26, 1876. Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer led the U.S. Army of 12 companies of the 7th Cavalry. Along a ridge above the Little Bighorn River, Custer and five companies were wiped out by bands of the Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by such men as Crazy Horse, Lame White Man and Gall.

Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen would command the remaining seven companies, while besieged by the warriors on the bluffs 4 ½ miles from where George Custer fell. Fighting in rifle pits and behind hard tack boxes, the soldiers survived two days of combat. These same soldiers would bury the Custer dead on June 28, 1876.

One name stands above the rest; that of Sitting Bull of the Hunkpapa Lakota. Sitting Bull was once a great warrior, but was aged by the time of the battle. His people considered him a holy man and his principal role that day was to protect the non-combatants as they escaped the battle.

Visit Our Little Bighorn Store For the Latest & Best Books About The Battle

All purchases through The Friends Little Bighorn Store contribute directly to preservation and interpretation at the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument. You'll find the best prices with up to 30%-40% savings on books (and you don't have to be a Friends member to receive these deep discounts).

How To Use This Website

If you're a first time visitor, we recommend you review the "Site Map" -- the button is found at the top and bottom of every page. From there you'll find our Table of Contents listing everything on the site.

If you're a return visitor, the Site Map is also a quick reference to find out what is new or what section has recently been updated. There you'll see two icons; New and/or Update, which enable you to quickly identify recent additions. Also, on this homepage near the top right, please notice the box labeled, "Newest Additions to Website" for a quick reference to new content.

Underneath our header, on every page, you'll find our primary navigation buttons. Select "The Battle" and you'll reach its main page. There you'll find additional navigation buttons, like chapters in a book, that lead you deeper into our site.

You may also choose to search with keywords throughout our site by using the Google search engine at the bottom of this page and selecting the radio button, "Friendslittlebighorn.com." Or, you may search the web by selecting the radio button, "WWW."

There are two options available to communicate with us. You can send a personal note by selecting "Contact" at the bottom of every page, or leave a comment for all to read in our "Guest Book" -- its navigation button is also found on the bottom of every page.

We hope that your visit to our website is always informative and fun. We constantly hear from people from all over the globe. The story of Custer's Last Stand is universal. If you enjoyed your visit, we invite you to join the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield. We'd love to have you on board.

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WWW Friendslittlebighorn.com

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