| Jason E. Heitland's Article Published in the Frontier Army of the Dakota's Newsletter! |
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| History is kept alive on the barren Montana plains…
Annually, The Real Bird Re-enactment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn is held during the weekend nearest to the anniversary of that fateful day that the clash between cultures of the Plains Indians and the United States Cavalry took place, June 25th, 1876. Each summer, the Real Bird family, of the Crow Reservation in Montana, present a large scale re-enactment of the battle on their land along the Little Big Horn River near Garryowen, Montana. The performance takes place on the actual battlefield (a rarity in re-enacting), where the Indian village stood, at the ford where it is believed that at least part of Custer's column attempted to cross the river and enter the village but were repelled, Medicine Tail Coulee. Attending the re-enactment is truly something that you will never forget! At the show you can talk to an Indian Warrior, learn how to saddle a Cavalry horse, and / or find out what "Counting Coup" really was all about. Not only will you get to view the events that unfolded June 25, 1876 along the banks of the Little Bighorn River in Montana, but by attending the festivities you will be transported back in time, seeing, smelling, and hearing everything that both sides of this fascinating battle experienced! As in other years, this year the Real Bird family was proud to present a three day celebration, featuring re-enactments taking place on Friday and going through Sunday (the 24th), all in conjunction with the other festivities taking place in the nearby city of Hardin and "Crow Native Days" which is sponsored by the Crow Nation. In addition to a live fire shooting contest (which used period weaponry) and a dress rehearsal on Thursday, some of the participants also were given the privilege of being able to ride in formation from Medicine Tail Coulee this year to the monument on Last Stand Hill where General Custer (Steve Alexander) headed up a public memorial ceremony which involved official park personnel and also relatives of both George Custer and Sitting Bull. The re-enactment occurred this year at 2 p.m. each day and used local Indian re-enactors to play the parts of the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, and Cavalry re-enactors from all over the world, including individuals from as far away as England, Scotland and Germany. The performance tells not only the story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, but also the history of the West from the Crows’ point of view, explaining how the clash along the banks of the Little Bighorn River, though a Native American victory, sealed the fate of the Plains Indians and their war with the United States Government. FAD members Jon and Jason Heitland, father and son from Iowa, have been participating in the re-enactment for the last six years, and have been acknowledged for their contributions to the re-enacting community on the History and Discovery Channels as well as in The Smithsonian magazine. Jason portrays 1st Lt. Donald McIntosh, and also serves as Regimental Adjutant to General George Armstrong Custer, who is portrayed by Steve Alexander of Monroe, Michigan. Jon portrays 2nd Lt. Luther Rector Hare, chosen by him because of the possibility that Lt. Hare may have been a distant ancestor of his (Hare's middle name of “Rector” was his mother's maiden name, and is also Jon's mother's maiden name). In addition to serving as president for his local living history / re-enactment association and attending 20-25 historical events in character a year, Jason annually transports a six tent living history encampment to Montana, consisting of authentic 1870s cavalry equipment, accommodations and weaponry for the re-enactment audience to view before and after the show. Anyone interested in participating in the Real Bird Re-enactment or who’d like to learn more about the re-enactment, or the time period in general, should contact Adjutant McIntosh (Jason Heitland) at “McIntosh@US7thCavCoF.com” or else visit his intensive Plains Indian Wars era web site at “www.7thCavalry.info”. |
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