BEGINNING OF THE NATIONAL CEMETERY
Battle of the Little Big Horn
A national cemetery on this site was established by General Orders No. 78 of 1879 to protect the graves of Seventh Cavalrymen who fell in the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Later, as the frontier era came to a close, the role of the cemetery was expanded. An 1886 executive order by President Grover Cleveland
defined and set aside a larger area for military purposes.
The following decade saw the abandonment of numerous forts throughout Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. The remains of military personnel and others, buried originally in the various post cemeteries, were moved here.These burials, found in Sections A and B, are one of the unique aspects of Custer National Cemetery. This link will show names of internments from other Forts.
Here you will find the pageant of the West reflected in the graves of soldiers killed in action at the Fetterman Fight, the Wagon Box Fight Little Bighorn. Big Hole, Bear Paw Mountain, and other skirmishes on the Northern Plains.
More numerous by far are the graves of military personnel and their
families, who died from disease or by accident at isolated frontier posts.
Here, too, are the graves of Indian scouts who served with the army.
Other sections of the cemetery contain the remains of veterans of other conflicts, from the Spanish-American War to Viet Nam. These men and
women represent the tapestry of America, yet they share one thing in common. They served the nation, and in many instances gave their lives so that we might enjoy its freedoms. You are encouraged to tour
the cemetery and while you are here, take time to reflect upon their contributions and sacrifices.
Fort Phil Kearny and Fetterman remains were just buried on Last Stand Hill, south of the monument. Fence was removed in 1963.
To go to the Custer Battle Field and data.
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BIG HORN COUNTY TOWNS
WYOLA,
LODGEGRASS
, HARDIN,
CUSTER BATTLEFIELD
E-MAIL
Jo Ann if questions
ashevillejewelry @yahoo.com
Welcome to Big Horn County, TRAILS TO THE PAST.