Custer's Battle-Field (June 25th, 1876), created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the direct supervision of Lieutenant Edward Maguire, stands as one of the most authoritative historical maps capturing the moments of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also infamously known as Custer's Last Stand. Produced in 1876 shortly after the fateful clash, this copperplate engraving provides extraordinary detail about the site of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer’s defeat near the mouth of the Bighorn River in southeastern Montana. The map was meticulously surveyed as Maguire accompanied rescue forces to the battlefield, creating a cartographic document that serves not just as a navigational tool but as a testimonial to a pivotal event in the American West.

This fine art print, available exclusively from The Unique Maps Co., faithfully recreates the original copperplate engraving on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas—your choice to suit any interior setting. Sizes are customizable, and professional framing as well as bespoke personalization options are available to create a truly meaningful artifact or commemorative display.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, tasked with both strategic military mapping and topographic surveys during the post-Civil War period, gained enduring renown for works such as this due to their painstaking accuracy and attention to historical consequence. The map was drawn under the technical direction of Lieutenant Maguire and artistically rendered by Sergeant Charles Becker, highlighting their combined expertise in both the science and art of battlefield cartography. By recording every significant detail, including river contours, topographical features, and marked troop positions, their work provided critical insights into the dramatic outcome of the Great Sioux War of 1876.

Custer's Battle-Field map is of particular historical importance as it enumerates not just the courses of the Little Bighorn and surrounding rivers, but solemnly marks the grave sites of fallen officers and soldiers, including Lt. Col. Custer himself. Points of interest—such as the exact segment of Reno’s skirmish line, the extensive Indigenous encampments, and the locations where the fiercest fighting unfolded—are named and clearly laid out, guiding the viewer across the entwined narrative of the infamous day. For enthusiasts of American, Indigenous, or military history, this fine art reproduction serves as both a conversation piece and a tool for education or research.

Rendered in crisp sepia, brown, and subtle gray tones, with elaborately hand-etched detail and classically styled cartouches, this print demonstrates the gravitas and elegance of 19th-century military cartography. The subdued tones enhance period authenticity while ensuring the map integrates harmoniously with modern or traditional interiors. The clarity of the linework and typographic elements make this an exemplary item for anyone captivated by historical maps, frontier legend, or the intersection of exploration and conflict. To own this print is to preserve and continually reflect on one of the defining chapters in American memory.

This thoughtfully reproduced map makes a resounding gift for lovers of history, educators, collectors, or anyone enchanted by storied maps and Americana. It is ideal for occasions such as Christmas, Father’s Day, housewarmings, graduations, or as a prized addition to an office, study, library, or teaching space.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.