By John Doerner, Chief Historian, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Photos courtesy Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, John Doerner and Sharon Small

On June 11, 2007 the National Park Service placed new soldier markers for the Arikara scouts killed while fighting in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Little Brave was killed on the west side of the Little Bighorn River near Isaiah Dorman, and Sgt. Bobtail Bull was killed on the east side below Reno Hill. Custer’s favorite Arikara, Bloody Knife, employed as a Guide-Interpreter was killed in the clearing/park on the west side of the Little Bighorn river during Reno’s fight in the timber. For the time being, their markers will be erected at the Reno-Benteen Battlefield below the first overlook on the Entrenchment Trail next to the marker for Little Whirlwind, Northern Cheyenne Suicide Warrior.* Little Whirlwind and Bobtail Bull both shot and killed each other during a bravery run on horseback at each other.

The white marble markers are being supplied by the Veterans Administration and are the same Civil War style that were first placed on the battlefield in 1890 by the U.S. Army to denote and preserve 7^th Cavalry casualty sites.  They will include the following information:

U.S. INDIAN SCOUT

Hukos-ta-rikus

SGT. BOBTAIL BULL

FELL HERE

JUNE 25, 1876

WHILE DEFENDING THE

ARIKARA WAY OF LIFE

U.S. INDIAN SCOUT

Naahukoos ciripasiIt’

LITTLE BRAVE

FELL HERE

JUNE 25, 1876

WHILE DEFENDING THE

ARIKARA WAY OF LIFE

INTERPRETER/GUIDE

neesiRApat’

BLOODY KNIFE

FELL HERE

JUNE 25, 1876

WHILE DEFENDING THE

ARIKARA WAY OF LIFE

*The sites where the scouts were killed are located on non-NPS property.    Until such time as we are able to relocate the markers with the permission of landowners, we were forced to place them within the NPS boundary overlooking their casualty sites.  There is also a concern over potential vandalism, and Lt. Hodgson's marker has been used for target practice and will require replacement.

I have discussed ways to inform the public about the markers along the Entrenchment Trail, including a temporary sign, and possible updates to the Entrenchment Trail booklet.  While this would help in the interim, my recommendations are to work with local landowners and relocate the Arikara and Little Whirlwind markers as close to their original casualty sites as possible.  I have also discussed this with the Arikara Old Scouts Society, and they have concurred. The markers were erected in a manner that would easily allow this.  Lt. Hodgson's marker was once erected along the edge of the bluff's above the Dewolf marker (adjacent to the wayside pullout) and was later relocated to its correct location.  This is along the same plans that I have for the Arikara's and Little Whirlwind.
 

Webmaster's Note: John Doerner asked me to post this photo of the vandalized Hodgson marker which stands on the east bank of the Little Bighorn River and faces west. The marker is in the middle of where Reno's troops retreated from the Little Bighorn River valley. Enlarge the photo to see massive damage inflicted to this marble marker by full metal jacket bullets fired from the west side of the river.

Hodgon's Marker - Photo courtesy Rocky Boyd

One of the reasons Doerner chose the new marker's temporary locations is fear of such vandalism. The Hodgson marker is a living example of such destruction. Additionally, the Arikara Old Scouts Society are in complete agreement with the NPS decision. Doerner believes he needs to attempt to correct the behavior of the defacement before placing the new markers in their permanent locations. He hopes to work with the landowners of the west bank of the river to accomplish that. Once Doerner feels he's made progress with that issue, and permission is granted, then placement of markers comes next.

Little Whirlwind and Bobtail Bull markers would be located in the same general area of Hodgson's marker. Doerner's plan is to place those markers so they face east. If the childish and disrespectful behavior of using these American veterans markers as target practice continues, then at least the wording would not be defaced.

Doerner is also placing a sign at the current location of the scout markers. It reads:

Please note: The placement of these markers is temporary until permission from private landowners is obtained. Bloody Knife and Little Brave were killed on the west side of the Little Bighorn River. Sgt. Bobtail Bull and Little Whirlwind were killed on this side of the river near Reno's retreat crossing.

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