In the summer of 1874, Custer was tasked with reconnoitering a route to Bear Butte and exploring the vicinity. Gold was discovered, leading to a major Gold Rush and an intrusion of white prospectors into the Black Hills, which are sacred to the Sioux and Cheyenne. This led to the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, and thus to the end for Custer and the 7th Cavalry. A legend in the lower left indicates eleven geological types through coloring and line and was one of three maps included in Ludlow's report. This map locates numerous creeks and gives detail of timber and topography.

References: Wheat [TMW] #1251.

Condition: B

Issued folding and now flattened and backed with tissue to reinforce and repair a few short fold separations. Light toning along the folds and light color offsetting.