The Little Bighorn Battlefield Monument in Crow Agency is meant to be a somber place of reflection. The monument memorializes the US Army's 7th Cavalry and the Lakotas and Cheyennes in one of Montana's bloodiest battles, known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn (or Custer's Last Stand). This is also where you'll find the Custer National Cemetery... and while the property is pretty peaceful, it's also quite spooky. In fact, you just might see more than you bargained for when you go.
Visiting the Custer National Cemetery is like taking a little trip back in time.
You'll walk past the gravesites of many of Montana's earliest residents, from war veterans to women and children from our frontier days.
Our country's history of national cemeteries is quite interesting.
Before we established national cemeteries, one of two things would happen to soldiers and other military personnel who died during service: they would either be buried on the spot right on the battlefield or returned to their families for private burials. This all changed during the Civil War, which unfortunately produced so many bodies that the need arose for national cemeteries.
Custer National Cemetery was created after those killed in battle were already buried here, which is quite common.
It was established in 1886, whereas the Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought a full decade earlier.
The cemetery was officially closed to further non-reservation interments in 1978.
There are about 4,900 internments here, with around 100 reserved spaces for veterans or their spouses who have burial plots.
Of course, some claim that the spirits of some of the departed soldiers still linger here.
There are many rumors that the battlefield and the cemetery are haunted.
Employees and visitors have reported paranormal activity since the 1940s, and Crow tribe members have witnessed it as well.
People claim to hear battle sounds, which could easily be their imagination playing tricks on them; however, many have reported sudden temperature drops and chills, not to mention hearing voices when no one else is around. Many also hear rushed footsteps in the dark.
Of course, all cemeteries can be a little eerie, but the fact that this was the site of a particularly brutal battle means there could be something to the rumors.
But whether or not you believe in ghosts, we highly recommend visiting this place for the history alone.
Have you ever been to the Little Bighorn Battlefield? Share your experience with us in the comments!
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