In an attempt to locate Custer, Company D under Captain Thomas Weir advances to this hilltop position without orders late on June 25. Weir may have witnessed the conclusion of the battle three miles ahead. He is later joined by Captain Benteen and others. The Lakota and Cheyenne, returning from destroying all of Custer’s immediate command, force these troops to abandon this position in favor of their hilltop defense one mile south.

“Seeing many horsemen over on the distant ridge with guidons flying, Weir said, ‘That is Custer over there.’ And mounted up ready to go over, when Sergeant Flanagan said: ‘Here, Captain, you had better take a look through the glasses; I think those are Indians.’ Weir did so and changed his mind about leaving the place. Accordingly the men were dismounted and the horses led behind the hill.”

• Pvt. William Morris, Co. M, 7th Cavalry

“We saw soldiers coming on a hill toward the south and east. Everybody began yelling: ‘Hurry!’ We started for the soldiers. They ran back toward where they had come from. One got killed, and many of us got off and couped him.”

• Standing Bear, Minneconjou Lakota

Erected by National Park Service.