[Drdogface]

Darn, I never knew about the second museum. The one at LBH is just OK as you say. The road they made to come down showing the progression of the battle to the final stand is outstanding. I seem to remember at one point one Indian was able to find a long range model of a trapdoor, not just the saddle ring carbine common to cavalry, and set up a sniper point above some of the groups of troopers. He was pretty successful. Most of the Indians who were armed with rifles had 44 cal Henry rifles (lever action repeater) as opposed to the cavalry which still used the single shot Springfield trapdoor.

Some of the shell casings that were found showed signs of troopers having to pry them out of the chamber with a knife. These were made of copper, not brass, and when the rifle got hot they would often stick in the chamber and not eject. Some guys resorted to urinating on them to try to cool them down.

I think I recall that Custer's group actually was able to see the Indian encampment from some 90 miles away but still decided to have at it. The figure '90' may be off but it was a damn long ways.

This thread has convince me that I have to go back...Road Trip !!!