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Many of us travel the interstates heading on trips to national parks, theme parks or maybe just to visit relatives. Being a person who enjoys reading books about U.S.history, I’ve learned about many sites in our country that were the scene of major history shaping events. Most of these sites feature monuments and visitor centers to commemorate what it was that occurred. Many of these events happened decades and centuries ago which explains why some of us might not be readily familiar with what exactly transpired there. Perhaps if you find yourself traveling nearby or if you’re planning a future trip you just may find it interesting to visit and stand on the very ground where our ancestors played a part in our nations history. I certainly hope you do.
Back in the mid to latter part of the 19th century many areas of the western U.S. were scenes of historical significance. One such place was the area of northern Wyoming. During the 1860’s, army forts were established along a route called the Bozeman Trail. This trail was a cutoff from the east/west Platte Road which was the main trail used by people emigrating to the west from the mid west. The Bozeman Trail went northwest from the Platte Road beginning near the old Fort Laramie, WY. It’s destination was Montana where gold mining at that time was in high gear. The fort at Laramie as well as Fort Phil Kearny and Fort C.S. Smith further to the north were built along this trail to protect the wagon trains from Indian attack. There are many side stories that go along with the history of this area but one story in particular is of historical interest.
Fort Phil Kearny which was on the Bozeman Trail north of Laramie was under almost constant assault from several Indian tribes. The issue from the Indian perspective was simply that they had occupied this land for centuries and were understandably not anxious to give it up. The constant flow of settlers were a steady reminder that things were changing fast. In addition, the traffic generated by the emigration from the east disturbed the buffalo hunting grounds which were the main source of sustenance for the plains tribes.
There were obviously many skirmishes between soldier and Indian during this time and many many books have been published on this topic(ie; The Wagon Box Fight). In regards to this particular area there was one battle which stood out among all others.This was called the Fetterman Massacre or sometimes referred to as the Fetterman Fight. In essence, an entire command of cavalry and infantry (81 in all) commanded by a Captain Fetterman from Fort Phil Kearny were annihilated by a surprise grouping of 1500-2000 or more Indians on Dec 21st, 1866. There are many reasons as to why this occurred and who may or may not have been to blame. (I believe you’ll find the details available in several books quite interesting.)
Up until that date this was considered the army’s worst single defeat. (Custer’s battle was still 10 years into the future). The obvious fact that the army was vastly outnumbered certainly was a main factor as well as the fact that soldiers were using outdated weaponry such as the single shot muzzle loading Springfield civil war era rifles which were not a great help when being stormed by overwhelming numbers of Indians. Also, many of the soldiers were not experienced Indian fighters and did not display the horsemanship of the average Indian warrior.The battle took place a mere two miles from Fort Phil Kearny but just over a ridge that made it impossible to see the troops directly from the fort. This delayed sending reinforcements in a timely manner.
As a side note, there are many stories connected with this particular battle, the fort itself, the commanding officer of Fort Phil Kearny, a Congressional inquiry and the army’s response. There are some very interesting books on the market and possibly at your local library that cover these topics from both the governments perspective and that of the Indian.
What the visitor to this site in Wyoming will see is a monument dedicated in 1908 at the very sight of the battle (the top of Lodgepole Ridge). Fort Phil Kearny itself was burned down by the Indians shortly after the army vacated the fort some two years later supposedly because the expanding railroad was making the trail obsolete. There still is plenty to see and learn at the fort site itself. Two excellent web sites regarding both the Fetterman Fight and the fort itself www.philkearny.vcn.com/fettermanfight.htm and www.philkearny.vcn.com This should give you all the information you need regarding directions, etc. For those of you who wish to map the site on google maps the area is about 17 miles south of Sheridan, WY.
It’s an educational and worthwhile visit and I hope you have the opportunity.
HistoricDestinationsOfEasternAmerica 