**SPOILERS** Nice episode. Like almost all of these "investigative reports", it teaches nothing about history. What it does do is give the viewer a good look at the beautiful western scenery of southeast Montana. Make NO mistake. This is the Travel Channel, and that is the point of these episodes. Get the viewer interested in going to the place that is featured, and seeing it for themselves. I've ridden my motorcycle up to Little Big Horn, and around that area several times, and it's worth the ride.
A good idea might be to have an episode on the Fetterman site, also - look it up. There are a couple of things that should have been mentioned, and weren't. A biggie is that the landscape is nothing like it was at the time of the battle. Oh, sure Geographically, but as far as the flora (a VERY big thing when advancing on an enemy), it's been cleaned out several times. mostly by prairie fires. There is also a fine paved road, and a visitor center. Of course, neither of these were there at the time of the fight.
Anyhoo, Don Wildman is there to see what he can learn about the battle. Which, of course, is nothing. I've studied the battle myself for about 49 years, now, and I'll admit that it is addicting, and intensely interesting. I could write you a book full of my observations and knowledge on this subject, cite all kinds of sources, doodah, doodah. In other words: waste your time. Every few years, someone comes up with a new set of "facts" that are going to change the way we see the fight, but it never happens. Why? Simple. There are no "new facts" that are believable.
The Army can't be believed because they messed up everything. Blaming it all on Custer? Ridiculous. Crook didn't even send word that he wouldn't be there (check your history on the Battle of the Rosebud), an inexcusable breech of conduct. No, don't try to cover for him, he was derelict in his duty. Benteen and Reno? both hated Custer, and both were not going to help, either. What about the Natives? Nope. They had to be on good terms with the army, especially after Wounded Knee. The message was clear: do what we say, or we'll kill you. They did; many starved anyway.
I'll give you a brief opinion, I'd say that 90% of the people who talk about Little Big Horn don't know what they're saying. 5% know a lot, but have it wrong, anyway, and 5% know enough to say that we'll NEVER know the truth. There are too many things that history itself has permanently masked.
One thing, though is that this was an interesting program. well presented, as all of these "Mystery at the Museum" episodes are, with great, and I mean really great people that Wildman interviews, including the great-great- grandson of Sitting Bull. He lends a quiet, powerful presence to the landscape that these people fought over. I absolutely recommend it. See it before you take the trip out there yourself. Make reservations; in the summer, around the time of the recreations of the battle, and "Buffalo Bill Days", in Wyoming; it can be hard to get lodging. Go to the Trading post, have lunch, buy a real, handmade arrow. read a book from the Visitor center. It's beautiful in that part of the country.
A good idea might be to have an episode on the Fetterman site, also - look it up. There are a couple of things that should have been mentioned, and weren't. A biggie is that the landscape is nothing like it was at the time of the battle. Oh, sure Geographically, but as far as the flora (a VERY big thing when advancing on an enemy), it's been cleaned out several times. mostly by prairie fires. There is also a fine paved road, and a visitor center. Of course, neither of these were there at the time of the fight.
Anyhoo, Don Wildman is there to see what he can learn about the battle. Which, of course, is nothing. I've studied the battle myself for about 49 years, now, and I'll admit that it is addicting, and intensely interesting. I could write you a book full of my observations and knowledge on this subject, cite all kinds of sources, doodah, doodah. In other words: waste your time. Every few years, someone comes up with a new set of "facts" that are going to change the way we see the fight, but it never happens. Why? Simple. There are no "new facts" that are believable.
The Army can't be believed because they messed up everything. Blaming it all on Custer? Ridiculous. Crook didn't even send word that he wouldn't be there (check your history on the Battle of the Rosebud), an inexcusable breech of conduct. No, don't try to cover for him, he was derelict in his duty. Benteen and Reno? both hated Custer, and both were not going to help, either. What about the Natives? Nope. They had to be on good terms with the army, especially after Wounded Knee. The message was clear: do what we say, or we'll kill you. They did; many starved anyway.
I'll give you a brief opinion, I'd say that 90% of the people who talk about Little Big Horn don't know what they're saying. 5% know a lot, but have it wrong, anyway, and 5% know enough to say that we'll NEVER know the truth. There are too many things that history itself has permanently masked.
One thing, though is that this was an interesting program. well presented, as all of these "Mystery at the Museum" episodes are, with great, and I mean really great people that Wildman interviews, including the great-great- grandson of Sitting Bull. He lends a quiet, powerful presence to the landscape that these people fought over. I absolutely recommend it. See it before you take the trip out there yourself. Make reservations; in the summer, around the time of the recreations of the battle, and "Buffalo Bill Days", in Wyoming; it can be hard to get lodging. Go to the Trading post, have lunch, buy a real, handmade arrow. read a book from the Visitor center. It's beautiful in that part of the country.
