Back in 1968 returning from Vietnam to Pittsburgh I needed some time to get my head on straight. So I called my Army buddy Greg who I served with for several years who invited me many times to visit him in Wyoming. Long story short, he was part Mandan Sioux. He always bragged he was from the dog eaters and they, the Mandan, were responsible for Custer’s demise. Greg had a job delivering petroleum products to ranches. I hitched along. Up through Gillette, over to Deadwood (we’ll skip that part). Eventually drove down to the battlefield where we slept on the battle site drinking applejack and exacting what those men must have gone thru and relating their to our recent battle experiences. Never saw a ghost but always felt a strange presence. Now 76, Greg 77. Life is good. For the most part.
Your opening footage of Last Stand Hill is really incredible and haunting. The wife and I were just there a few months ago in mid-May. Something I wanted to scratch off of my bucket list. I knew you were following the Oregon and Bozeman Trails, and I was hoping you would make it to the Little Big Horn and Fetterman battle sites. As always, incredible work!👍✌️🇺🇲
It was on my bucket list also and while visiting Wyoming I felt a sense of freedom which I had never felt before; Little Bighorn touched me deeply and respect all those who fought.
To the men who lost their lives that day...rest in peace. I can imagine how awful that day was for all those guys that got killed. Crazy Horse and his men didn't play around.. Great story Ron.. love the old photos.
No one can bring these stories to life the way you do. RIP to all. There are never any winners when people lose their lives. It's amazing to see a picture of the bugle!
The metzker family is still in the area. My sons went to school with metzkers great great great nephew. The school class had a fieldtrip there to the fetterman fight. This young man was recognized as the buglar metzger relative. It was cool .
Ron, I’m in your age group. I must not have paid much attention to history back in the day. But your videos are so fascinating, they are a catalyst propelling me to research even more after I watch each video. Thank you so much.
What a historical place. My family name is on the main monument on the hill. He was in F company. It’s been years and would love to get back. Great job, Ron. Loved watching this.
The rabbit holes I end up going down online. I literally just learned of Adolph Metzger yesterday while reading a book called scalp dance about the American indian wars. The story moved me deeply. Today, just a few moments ago, I came across a photo of the bodies of Emil and Mary Kelly and their infant daughter. I then searched for their story on UA-cam and found your channel and the video you posted about them in Auburn NY. And now i find that you travelled all the way out west and filmed a video about Adolph Metzger as well who I had never heard of until just yesterday. I was not expecting to see this video on your channel. Thanks for making these interesting and respectful videos and telling people's stories so well and being very obviously well educated on the subjects.
Beautiful place, but the earth is soaked in blood, I think if you stand very still and listen you can still hear the battle cries and men screaming, great story, thanks.
Beautifully told story, Ron. The white people, who fought and died, all had a name. The native people, who fell victim to those "nice new repeating rifles" that were brought in to kill as many "indians" as possible, also all had a name. They were fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews, maybe even some grandfathers. All family men. They were providers and protectors. They also were mourned about by their families and going through the burial rituals after the fight. The story of Mr. Metzger was familiar to me. I have read in some version that he had fought bravely with his almost bare hands and the native people honored his courage by sending him intact into the afterlife and covered him with a buffalo robe after his death. I have no proof of that story, don't even know where I read it, but at the time I read it, I thought it was a most decent thing to do. A very sad story, the conquest of the land and the destruction of other peoples lives. I thoroughly enjoyed your visuals of the landscape and the pinery and the range. By the way, Carrington had warned Fetterman not to go across that range, no matter what. Fetterman caused his man to fall into the trap. He was just a bit too eager and too much filled with pride and sufficiently demeaning of the native people.
Am I de only one who smiled at the same time Ron chuckled and said that the horse gave him a stare down and than looked away😊😊... I went back only to see the stare again... Thanx Ron❤
Dearest Ron, I must say thank you again for our journeys with you, bringing back fond memories of our earlier lives, and someone (that's you) and many things for us to look forward to. Thank you also for the acquaintances that we are all making betwixt and between each other. Happy trails.
You always leave me wanting to know more, even though you tell stories that are researched and that you have studied. Your narratives are never judgemental; simply teeming with fascinating facts. Again, a wonderful presentation. I wish it had gone on longer!! Thank you, thank you!!
Amazing scenery crazy horse memorial definitely gonna blow ppl away when it's eventually finished what a terribly sad story thank you for ur service RIP to the 81men🙏
Thank you for this! You've earned a new subscriber today. I find the fetterman field to have much more of..a deeper, strange feeling than the Greasy Grass. Although both grounds have that spirit in them, this field felt stranger and stronger. I flew over to both places as I was studying Crazy Horse and his people at the time. Out of all the places I visited, walked and rode on horseback this field felt like vines coming up from the soil. It was a day just like your, hardly any visitors and was silent. A beautiful country for sure, an incredible people. But a heavy sense of loss and expectation. Thanks for sharing this
I did my junior year in high school thesis on Crazy Horse in the 80’s and I do not remember coming across this fact. So, I say thank you sir, Ron for expanding my knowledge here. ❤❤❤❤. I so enjoy your stories. You are a great storyteller!!
A gripping story told only as you can tell it Ron. Seeing the landscape where this took place is especially dramatic. I was amazed to see Private Metzger's bugle, omg, that instrument tells so much in itself. The fact that he was an immigrant that joined the army, liking that career was Interesting too and ironic. Brilliant video Ron!!!❤
A large percentage of men serving in the Army in the west after the civil war were immigrants. Also a very large percentage of the men who died at the Alamo were immigrants.
Thanks for sharing, I have read accounts of the battle of wagon box and know that the vets there told the recruits to not only save the last bullet for themselves but to take off their shoes and use the laces to prepare the carbine to be fired with their toes in case they could no longer use their hands. Thats how serious they took not being taken alive. Can't imagine being in a battle armed with just a bugle.
Always liked that area. Also, officers got a lot more respect in death than enlisted troops. Look at the Custer family who died in the "last stand." One Custer is buried at West Point and one with 2 "Medal of Honor" awards is buried at Fort Leavenworth. Great video. Eaglegards...
The fighting was on both sides of the monument in the fetterman fight. Ive heard that some made it to the other side of the interstate and were killed there. The owner of the ranch said the natives hid in the trees and as you said they were on all sides hidden in the trees. Thankyou for a well documented video!! You should video the fort as well and the wagonbox fight area too.
Great story Ron, I love to hear history, even though lots of it is sad. Wyoming is so beautiful, who would think there had ever been a massacre there, it’s such a lovely place. Be safe and take care
What an interesting story Ron. It,s so weird how you can look at a green valley and not knowing what took place on this beautiful land decades ago! Thanks for sharing!❤😊
As they usually removed their dead from the field when they could, it was difficult to be sure how many Indians had been killed , experienced frontiersmen and soldiers tried to count the pools of blood where a body had laine for a period of time, however some time after the battle the number was put at between fifty and sixty.
Thank you for sharing this piece of American history Ron and for the hard work/research that goes on behind the scenes in putting out these fantastic episodes. 😃 Just so sad for all of the lives lost both sides. A lot of blood has been spilt on that land. How wonderful this world would be if mankind could live alongside each other respectfully and peacefully, just live and let live despite our differences in colour, backgrounds, beliefs etc 😃✌️🇬🇧
Thanks for sharing this Ron. Always good to hear the truth on these stories and the exact events that happened. My respects to the men that lost their lives. Take care Ron.
Looking at the opening scene of a beautiful landscape it is hard to imagine the horrific battles that occurred here and now the peacefulness. I never knew about the different melody's 🎶 for telling solders commands. Beautifully & insightfully told, I learn so much from your episodes Ron then any of my history lessons taught at school, and it makes me want to learn more about these topics xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Great story Ron and all who lost their lives so sad 😢..Rip to all and Adolf!... have a good week ahead Ron and enjoy your son too..... safe travels sir...
Such a sad story of both soldiers and native Americans, there are no real winners of these battles. The land is permanently scarred with death. RIP to everyone involved in the battle. Great piece of history Ron, again told with dignity for all the suffering that happened here.
One of the best yet Ron, you just keep getting better & better, your masterful weaving of a tale brings history to life for me! Thanks again, WE'RE IN❤️⭐️☠️🪦
Wow, thank you for this episode. The history you researched for this is impressive. very humbling to look out over this land and know what took place. Well done.
158 years later, the land still looks like it has some battle scars. It would not surprise me if they did cover Adolf's body with a blanket in addition to not mutilating his corpse. Being Warrior's and witnessing someone continuing to fight in the face of hopeless odds with nothing but his bugle would have gained him thier respect.
Custer and his crew were largely attacking and massacring villages full of women, children and elders. The warriors were elsewhere. And some of the tribes being attacked had nothing to do with the tribes that were on the warpath. Custer and company (no military pun intended) had it coming.
Custer fought for his country. Not only in the civil war , but the indian wars. was he responsible for the deaths of women & children yes , but the indians also killed woman and children too.
What a story Ron! So sad! There are never any winners in these battles 😕 I hope all those men on both sides are resting peacefully 🙏 And the photo of the bugle. 🎺 is amazing. I KNEW you would totally LOVE Wyoming and Montana! I certainly hope you and Nathan made it safely to Florida? May you and your family be blessed! 🙏 💕
Back in 1968 returning from Vietnam to Pittsburgh I needed some time to get my head on straight. So I called my Army buddy Greg who I served with for several years who invited me many times to visit him in Wyoming. Long story short, he was part Mandan Sioux. He always bragged he was from the dog eaters and they, the Mandan, were responsible for Custer’s demise. Greg had a job delivering petroleum products to ranches. I hitched along. Up through Gillette, over to Deadwood (we’ll skip that part). Eventually drove down to the battlefield where we slept on the battle site drinking applejack and exacting what those men must have gone thru and relating their to our recent battle experiences. Never saw a ghost but always felt a strange presence. Now 76, Greg 77. Life is good. For the most part.
Thank you for your service..❤
Never heard of Mandan Sioiux. The Mandan indians were farmers and friendly to whites. They lived along the Missouri River in what is now North Dakota.
Your opening footage of Last Stand Hill is really incredible and haunting. The wife and I were just there a few months ago in mid-May. Something I wanted to scratch off of my bucket list. I knew you were following the Oregon and Bozeman Trails, and I was hoping you would make it to the Little Big Horn and Fetterman battle sites. As always, incredible work!👍✌️🇺🇲
It was on my bucket list also and while visiting Wyoming I felt a sense of freedom which I had never felt before; Little Bighorn touched me deeply and respect all those who fought.
To the men who lost their lives that day...rest in peace. I can imagine how awful that day was for all those guys that got killed. Crazy Horse and his men didn't play around.. Great story Ron.. love the old photos.
Fetterman had express orders from Carrington NOT in any circumstances chase the Indians over that ridge !
@@sheepsfoot2 Sad. He should of listened.
Great story Ron the pictures really helped like you where there & the respect u gave to all the men .my mom side of family was Irish Cherokee Nation
No one can bring these stories to life the way you do. RIP to all. There are never any winners when people lose their lives. It's amazing to see a picture of the bugle!
The sweep of the plains is breathtaking and one can visualize as you cite the story.
So sad, for both sides! Thank you for bringing this piece of history to life for us. Well done.
The metzker family is still in the area. My sons went to school with metzkers great great great nephew. The school class had a fieldtrip there to the fetterman fight. This young man was recognized as the buglar metzger relative. It was cool .
Wow!
Ron, I’m in your age group. I must not have paid much attention to history back in the day. But your videos are so fascinating, they are a catalyst propelling me to research even more after I watch each video. Thank you so much.
What a historical place. My family name is on the main monument on the hill. He was in F company. It’s been years and would love to get back. Great job, Ron. Loved watching this.
The rabbit holes I end up going down online. I literally just learned of Adolph Metzger yesterday while reading a book called scalp dance about the American indian wars. The story moved me deeply. Today, just a few moments ago, I came across a photo of the bodies of Emil and Mary Kelly and their infant daughter. I then searched for their story on UA-cam and found your channel and the video you posted about them in Auburn NY. And now i find that you travelled all the way out west and filmed a video about Adolph Metzger as well who I had never heard of until just yesterday. I was not expecting to see this video on your channel. Thanks for making these interesting and respectful videos and telling people's stories so well and being very obviously well educated on the subjects.
thanks for the great note, glad u found us!!
Thank you Ron,for a good History lesson. Good night to all.
Beautiful place, but the earth is soaked in blood, I think if you stand very still and listen you can still hear the battle cries and men screaming, great story, thanks.
Beautifully told story, Ron. The white people, who fought and died, all had a name. The native people, who fell victim to those "nice new repeating rifles" that were brought in to kill as many "indians" as possible, also all had a name. They were fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews, maybe even some grandfathers. All family men. They were providers and protectors. They also were mourned about by their families and going through the burial rituals after the fight. The story of Mr. Metzger was familiar to me. I have read in some version that he had fought bravely with his almost bare hands and the native people honored his courage by sending him intact into the afterlife and covered him with a buffalo robe after his death. I have no proof of that story, don't even know where I read it, but at the time I read it, I thought it was a most decent thing to do. A very sad story, the conquest of the land and the destruction of other peoples lives. I thoroughly enjoyed your visuals of the landscape and the pinery and the range. By the way, Carrington had warned Fetterman not to go across that range, no matter what. Fetterman caused his man to fall into the trap. He was just a bit too eager and too much filled with pride and sufficiently demeaning of the native people.
Am I de only one who smiled at the same time Ron chuckled and said that the horse gave him a stare down and than looked away😊😊... I went back only to see the stare again... Thanx Ron❤
Hi Ron and Everyone. I'm waiting as well. Going to be a good one. Thank you Ron for another great story 👍
Your videos just keep getting better and better. Your channel is the best thing on UA-cam!
Wow, thanks!
@FacesoftheForgotten Absolutely accurate. The Best on UA-cam and I've not seen anything on TV to compare either.
Dearest Ron, I must say thank you again for our journeys with you, bringing back fond memories of our earlier lives, and someone (that's you) and many things for us to look forward to. Thank you also for the acquaintances that we are all making betwixt and between each other. Happy trails.
Thanks for covering this story Ron, great job on this one! R.I.P. to all who fell that day.
You always leave me wanting to know more, even though you tell stories that are researched and that you have studied. Your narratives are never judgemental; simply teeming with fascinating facts. Again, a wonderful presentation. I wish it had gone on longer!! Thank you, thank you!!
Amazing scenery crazy horse memorial definitely gonna blow ppl away when it's eventually finished what a terribly sad story thank you for ur service RIP to the 81men🙏
I really enjoyed visiting crazy horse memorial and its history along with Devils Tower.
Beautiful countryside!
hi Ron and everyone :) here and waiting too. love catching them as your recording and thank you ever so much Ron xxx gbu from Chicago
Another great story 👏 👌
Thanks for sharing with us your spectacular videos!!👍🏻
Thank you for this! You've earned a new subscriber today. I find the fetterman field to have much more of..a deeper, strange feeling than the Greasy Grass. Although both grounds have that spirit in them, this field felt stranger and stronger. I flew over to both places as I was studying Crazy Horse and his people at the time. Out of all the places I visited, walked and rode on horseback this field felt like vines coming up from the soil. It was a day just like your, hardly any visitors and was silent. A beautiful country for sure, an incredible people. But a heavy sense of loss and expectation. Thanks for sharing this
Crazy Horse was a legend to all Native American. A man to respect. Thank you for another great History lesson. 🇺🇲☮️🐝🌺🦋
Wow...this was amazing on so many different levels. Excellent storytelling!
Dear Ron Can't wait!❤️👏
I did my junior year in high school thesis on Crazy Horse in the 80’s and I do not remember coming across this fact. So, I say thank you sir, Ron for expanding my knowledge here. ❤❤❤❤. I so enjoy your stories. You are a great storyteller!!
WAITING ALL DAY.. HI FROM S A TEXAS.
A gripping story told only as you can tell it Ron. Seeing the landscape where this took place is especially dramatic. I was amazed to see Private Metzger's bugle, omg, that instrument tells so much in itself. The fact that he was an immigrant that joined the army, liking that career was Interesting too and ironic. Brilliant video Ron!!!❤
A large percentage of men serving in the Army in the west after the civil war were immigrants. Also a very large percentage of the men who died at the Alamo were immigrants.
Thanks for sharing, I have read accounts of the battle of wagon box and know that the vets there told the recruits to not only save the last bullet for themselves but to take off their shoes and use the laces to prepare the carbine to be fired with their toes in case they could no longer use their hands. Thats how serious they took not being taken alive. Can't imagine being in a battle armed with just a bugle.
Hi Ron and friends, can't watch today having to get up early for yet another prosigure on my gums.I'll miss you. God bless.
Always liked that area. Also, officers got a lot more respect in death than enlisted troops. Look at the Custer family who died in the "last stand." One Custer is buried at West Point and one with 2 "Medal of Honor" awards is buried at Fort Leavenworth. Great video. Eaglegards...
Read about this one
Should be a great walk. Thanks, Ron.
Enjoyed this presentation, from across the pond 🇬🇧
great story, very beautiful images and also great music thanks for sharing super history-lesson!!!!
Excellent, wonderful choice of story
Once’s again Ron what a wonderful story, very Educational. Your number one you tube just love to listen to you!
The fighting was on both sides of the monument in the fetterman fight. Ive heard that some made it to
the other side of the interstate and were killed there. The owner of the ranch said the natives hid in the trees and as you said they were on all sides hidden in the trees. Thankyou for a well documented video!! You should video the fort as well and the wagonbox fight area too.
This video gave me chill bumps. It was as if I was transported back in time. You told it so well.
Thank you for sharing such a great video. Very educational. You did a great job. 😊
Great story Ron, I love to hear history, even though lots of it is sad. Wyoming is so beautiful, who would think there had ever been a massacre there, it’s such a lovely place. Be safe and take care
Awesome video and thanks for sharing these I love watching these plus learning about the history of them. Keep up the great work my friend.
You are always so informative. So many stories most of us has never heard. Thank You !!!
You, Sir, are an amazing story teller. History is never dry when you share the stories and lives of those who have gone before us.
I appreciate that, thank you Storm.
What an interesting story Ron. It,s so weird how you can look at a green valley and not knowing what took place on this beautiful land decades ago! Thanks for sharing!❤😊
So enjoy the history of the old west. Thank you
Thanks Ron for this interesting story,great history lesson. R.i.P Mr. Metzger.
I just have to ask the question. How many Indians were lost. And where they buried. Thank you for sharing this historic event
As they usually removed their dead from the field when they could, it was difficult to be sure how many Indians had been killed , experienced frontiersmen and soldiers tried to count the pools of blood where a body had laine for a period of time, however some time after the battle the number was put at between fifty and sixty.
Well now Ron , you tell us a great story, now the hubby listening as well, he loves the western ones . New Zealand
I’m listening from New Zealand 🇳🇿 too.
What a wonderful story by a wonderful storyteller
Great history content. I ❤️ love history! Awesome video Ron! Thank you!😊
What incredible history. One of your best yet!
Thank you for sharing this piece of American history Ron and for the hard work/research that goes on behind the scenes in putting out these fantastic episodes. 😃 Just so sad for all of the lives lost both sides. A lot of blood has been spilt on that land. How wonderful this world would be if mankind could live alongside each other respectfully and peacefully, just live and let live despite our differences in colour, backgrounds, beliefs etc 😃✌️🇬🇧
Thanks for sharing this Ron. Always good to hear the truth on these stories and the exact events that happened. My respects to the men that lost their lives. Take care Ron.
Another tale well-told! Thanks Ron.
Thanks for sharing Great Delivery .
Regards from Ireland.
Amazing history. Thank you so much for sharing this, Mr Ron ❤️
Thanks Ron! Great one
Looking at the opening scene of a beautiful landscape it is hard to imagine the horrific battles that occurred here and now the peacefulness. I never knew about the different melody's 🎶 for telling solders commands. Beautifully & insightfully told, I learn so much from your episodes Ron then any of my history lessons taught at school, and it makes me want to learn more about these topics xxxxxxxxxxxxx
That was so fascinating thank you for sharing ❤️👍🏻
This was a great story. Thank you so very much for sharing this sad tale. May the men on both sides Rest In Peace.
Thank You for the history lesson, amazing! We just love your channel and appreciate all the time you spend in sharing.
Great job! Thank you!
Intriguing piece of historical evidence. Thanks for sharing.
Just outstanding, your delivery and the depth of details provided. Loved it!
I love your stories Ron,very well narrated,love from Scotland.😍😎
Thanks so much Great videos Always!!! 🩵🩵🩵🩵
Great story Ron and all who lost their lives so sad 😢..Rip to all and Adolf!... have a good week ahead Ron and enjoy your son too..... safe travels sir...
Very interesting part of history. Thanks Ron for amazing store. R.I.P too all those who died 🇺🇸
Amazing! Thank you Ron!❤
Such a sad story of both soldiers and native Americans, there are no real winners of these battles. The land is permanently scarred with death. RIP to everyone involved in the battle. Great piece of history Ron, again told with dignity for all the suffering that happened here.
One of the best yet Ron, you just keep getting better & better, your masterful weaving of a tale brings history to life for me! Thanks again, WE'RE IN❤️⭐️☠️🪦
Amazing bit of history!! Thank you for sharing.
I absolutely love these kinds of history stories you tell Ron.
Wow, thank you for this episode. The history you researched for this is impressive. very humbling to look out over this land and know what took place. Well done.
Interesting fact about the 80 commands the bugle player had to know. I never knew that!
158 years later, the land still looks like it has some battle scars.
It would not surprise me if they did cover Adolf's body with a blanket in addition to not mutilating his corpse. Being Warrior's and witnessing someone continuing to fight in the face of hopeless odds with nothing but his bugle would have gained him thier respect.
I believe you are right. Capt. Keogh's body was not touched due to his bravery.
Thanks Ron for the awesome history lesson
Patiently waiting 😁
Custer and his crew were largely attacking and massacring villages full of women, children and elders. The warriors were elsewhere. And some of the tribes being attacked had nothing to do with the tribes that were on the warpath. Custer and company (no military pun intended) had it coming.
This is true
Custer fought for his country. Not only in the civil war , but the indian wars. was he responsible for the deaths of women & children yes , but the indians also killed woman and children too.
Thank you so very much for your service. I'm 77 and remember a lot about Vietnam. My classmates all returned. Thank God!
Thank you for sharing this ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING story, Ron!! XXXX ❤💗🤗👍
Another great video Ron. Really enjoy the historical videos.
Waiting 😅 hello from Mississippi 👋
Informative but sad May they all R.I.P thanks Ron,stay safe and well,👋👋🙏🙏👍🇦🇺
Nice to hear this awsome story! I love this time period in our country's history!!🙌🏻👍🖖
So sad! You tell the history so beautifully! I have learned so much from you. Thank you!
thank you Ron all schools should watch your videos who needs a history book when you've got Ron
Great history lesson well said. I really enjoyed the video.
What a fantastic episode wow,just so interesting never knew about this battle. Love American history, best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧 ❤️
Wow! , thank you for that amazing history. This was such a good video. Thank you.
What terrible times. RIP to all.
Story’s from this era always break my heart..
So much anguish.
Well done Ron,you always get me in the feels🥺
Awesome story. Thank you for sharing this history with us.
Great job. Thank you for this history lesson. Also love the hat
Interesting episode. Wompila! - thank you!
You truly brought that story to life. Thank you!
Looking forward 😍
What a story Ron! So sad! There are never any winners in these battles 😕 I hope all those men on both sides are resting peacefully 🙏 And the photo of the bugle. 🎺 is amazing. I KNEW you would totally LOVE Wyoming and Montana! I certainly hope you and Nathan made it safely to Florida? May you and your family be blessed! 🙏 💕
I really enjoyed your presentation.