Little Bighorn Battle Re-enactment
Garryowen, Montana

6/21/2003 - Reported by: Kelli Bartik
email: news@ksvi.com

People from miles away visit Garryowen Montana to see History in Action.

On June 25th, 1876 The Battle of Little Big Horn took place right here on this grassy river bank.

Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer took his last stand as he and his men were defeated by those of Chief Sitting Bull.

The Real-Bird family's Sixth Annual re-enactment of The Battle of Little Bighorn attracts people from all over the world.

Chris Kortlander said, "Everywhere, Japan, Australia, everywhere in Europe, its quite unique to see how many people actually seek out this specific location so they can get a piece of the Custer Battle."

Chris Kortlander owns the Custer Battlefield Museum in Garryowen, Montana.

He says this re-enactment is as close at you can get to the real thing.

Kortlander said, "Its probably the most accurate it could ever be depicted because it was on the actual spot where Custer actually crossed the river, right in the middle of the Little Big Horn Battle.

Mentor Williams, the Custer look-a-like winner, has also been to the re-enactment in Hardin.

He says he prefers the Real-Bird's performance, because of its location.

Mentor Williams said, "We like this one better because its on the river the actual river where they had the battle."

To see history books come alive, Kortlander says the recreation of the Battle of Little Bighorn is fun for the whole family.

Kortlander said, "Everybody should try to come down the Crow Indian Reservation to see the Real-Bird re-enactment."

It's not too late to see Custer's Calvary charge again, there is one more performance in Garryowen Sunday at 2:00 p.m.