Brian and Cricket Pohanka, Deep Ravine Trail, June 25, 2004

Photo by Megan Reece

I lost a friend today, June 15, 2005 with the passing of Brian Pohanka. The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument lost a friend today too. And all students of the Little Bighorn Battle, the Civil War, and Indian Wars lost a friend as well. Brian Pohanka’s legacy covers a wide berth, and his being gone creates a massive gulf in the field of historical research in all these subjects that will be difficult to fill. 

I remember the first time I met Brian – it was June 1983 at the LBHA conference in Billings, Montana. The late John Carroll used to have a welcoming party for the members in his motel room. When I first entered the room there was Brian receiving a hug from Carroll. Carroll told me that this young man was one to watch in the field of history. Carroll was right. 

Brian established himself early in the television world of history. He was a consultant for the long running, “Civil War Journal” which aired on the History Channel. He was also used as a talking head – any episode of this great program you are fortunate to view, you’ll recognize Brian throughout. 

Brian also made his mark in the film world providing consulting services for “Gettysburg”, “Sommersby”, “Glory”, "Gods and Generals", and most recently, “Cold Mountain” where Brian can be seen and heard on some of the extra features of the DVD version. 

I was very lucky to spend many Junes walking the Little Bighorn Battlefield with Brian, riding beside him on the bus during the CBHMA field trips, or sitting across from him each of those evenings at Little Big Men pizza parlor in Hardin, Montana discussing the battle. 

Brian loved the battlefield and the people that protected it. Brian gave countless hours of his time helping the National Park Service. In 1982 Brian’s research proved that the white marble marker for Myles Keogh had been moved to a different location from its original spot. Why, no one knew, but Brian convinced then Chief Historian Neil Mangum that Keogh’s marker should be moved. And it was. One of the photos below is of Brian standing beside Keogh’s marker in its correct location. 

My most memorable experience was working with Brian on the CBHMA 1995-1997 symposiums, which I chaired. Brian presented papers at the 1995 and 1996 symposiums, and he participated in the panel discussions all three years. 

The 1996 symposium especially stands out in my mind. As I prepared for the symposium, I called Brian and asked him if he’d be willing to participate again as a presenter. He asked what I had in mind and I explained I wanted to touch the hearts of the audience for the first time. I had grown tired of the usual presentations explaining where soldier companies were positioned, or papers asking the same old questions like, did Custer and Benteen disobey orders, or was Reno a coward? I wanted to move the audience by bringing the human side of the story to the forefront – to remind the audience that the men who fought and died at the Little Bighorn were men who loved, had wives, and children. 

Brian said he had something in mind. He had access to Annie Yates diaries. Her husband, Captain George Yates of Company F, died not far from where Custer fell. They had a precious love, Brian said. Brian titled his paper, “Romance and Tragedy with the 7^th Cavalry: The Story of George and Annie Yates” and it moved the audience for sure. Brian expanded this to a book, which he released during the summer of 2004 titled, “A Summer on the Plains with Custer’s 7^th Cavalry: The 1870 Diary of Annie Gibson Roberts.” 

Brian’s latest book will be published in the fall of 2005 and I think it will be a wonderful legacy. “Where Custer Fell: Photographs of the Little Bighorn Battlefield Then and Now” is authored by Brian along with his friends James Brust and Sandy Barnard. It will include countless photos of the battlefield over the years with contemporary photos taken from the same vantage point as the historical photos. 

The best time I had with Brian was during the 1989 archeological dig at Little Bighorn. He and I had spent two days on our knees digging in the ground at the Reno-Benteen dumpsite finding nothing but hard tack box nails and wolf spiders. Our saving grace was when Dr. C. Vance Haynes pulled the two of us off the dig line and put us on a special secret mission. We were going to be part of a team to find the missing 28 troopers in Deep Ravine. Besides Brian, Vance, and myself the team included Dick Harmon and the western artist, Ralph Heinz.

We used a hand auger and drove that long tube deep into the ground below the water table, brought it up and all of us grabbed handfuls of mud. We felt through the mud feeling for human remains, buttons, bullets, and such. The mud dropped from our fingers began to accumulate in great quantities.

While some poor fellow started digging the next round we spent our time talking about the battle, weapons used, and other fun stuff. All of us noticed Brian playing with the mud piles on the ground. His fingers moved with precision on a delicate mission. Coming from this historians' hands were accurate renditions of human faces -- three-dimensional. Brian was sculpting the missing troopers. Even though we never found the missing troopers those three days in Deep Ravine, Brian kept us entertained with his masterpieces. 

Brian Pohanka far right, Deep Ravine, 1989

The most comfortable moment with Brian was when he and his wife Cricket would spend Sunday mornings with my family eating breakfast at the bed & breakfast. Brian and Cricket stayed at a different motel, however, the owners of the B&B graciously opened their doors and breakfast table for Brian and Cricket. It was always a warm time seeing Brian and Cricket together – they beamed with happiness. 

The breakfasts were hardy and the stories Brian happily shared with us were always most interesting. He always had my son, Austin’s undivided attention especially when Brian spoke about Gettysburg. I’m really going to miss moments like those with Brian gone. 

Brian’s personal battle against cancer finally ended today, but he finished life with grace, dignity, and love. In a card he sent me dated February 3, 2005 Brian stated, “I’ve been able to keep up with my writing and also Civil War living history – time is certainly not on my side, but I’ve been blessed for what I’ve had.”  

Brian, we all were blessed knowing you and I’ll miss you terribly. My prayers are for you and your wonderful wife Cricket. 

God Bless You, 

Bob Reece

Cricket Pohanka has asked those to remember Brian by continuing to help his cause for Civil War preservation by donating in Brian's name to the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Brian Pohanka on the right standing before the Keogh marker. His friend, John, stands left. June 1985	1995 panel discussion -- left to right: Joe Sills, Mike Moore, Brian Pohanka, and Richard Fox	Brian and John stand beside the rock cairn for Lame White Man. June 1985	Deep Ravine 1989 Arch Dig Crew; l to r--Then Acting Supt Doug McChristian, Dr. Vance Haynes, Bob Reece, Ralph Heinz, Dick Harmon, Brian Pohanka

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