MILES CITY – History will come alive at southeast Montana's Rosebud Battlefield State Park on June 17. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Rosebud, known to the Northern Cheyenne as "Where the Girl Saved Her Brother."
This eight-hour battle was part of the United States military's Campaign of 1876 to defeat the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Because Brigadier General George Crook was forced to withdraw and resupply, his forces weren't available eight days later to help Lieutenant Colonel George Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Custer was dealt a crushing defeat at a site just 42 miles from the Rosebud battlefield.
The June 17 commemoration at Rosebud Battlefield State Park will include a keynote speaker and a ceremony to honor all of the fallen during the battle. Members of many Montana tribes will participate, including a group riding in on horseback from nearby Trail Creek. The United States Cavalry also will be represented.
A veteran color guard is planned, along with a blessing by tribal spiritual leaders. Also on the schedule are a reenactment of "Where the Girl Saved Her Brother," a guided interpretive hike, historical demonstrations, drumming, a victory dance and a meal.
The Battle of the Rosebud took place on June 17, 1876, in the Montana Territory between a U.S. Army column led by Crook and a force of mostly Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne led by Crazy Horse. The Cheyenne call it the Battle Where the Girl Saved Her Brother because Buffalo Calf Road Woman raced heroically through gunfire to grab her brother, Comes-In-Sight, whose horse had been shot out from under him.
Crook's retreat gave tribal warriors confidence that they could prevail against the army - which they demonstrated eight days later with the stunning victory over Custer and his soldiers at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Today, 3,052-acre Rosebud Battlefield State Park remains quiet and undeveloped, preserving a portion of the battlefield that should be a beautiful setting for the planned June event.
"It is going to be a great day," said park ranger Spencer Morris. "This park often gets overlooked because we're a ways off the beaten path, but we're in a very scenic location, and June is a great month to visit. We're really honored to partner with our Native American neighbors to host this important event."
For more on the park or the latest news on the commemoration, visit fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/rosebud-battlefield/.