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Colorado Forts- Fetterman

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I visited the site several years ago, it was a perfect place to set up the fights that we now call the "Fetterman Massacre". The command left the fort with a mixed unit of cavalry and infantry to pursue some Indians that had appeared to the sentries. The cavalry pulled away from the infantry and got sucked into an ambush that killed all of them. I don't recall how the infantry faired after that. It's been many years since I was there.
If I remember correctly the infantry unit was surrounded and killed as well.
 
Some 20 years ago I was at that site where Fort Fetterman stood and picked up a few square nails that were out of the buildings that the Indians burnt. The story goes that they had set the Fort on fire before the soldiers had got on a side over the Ridge
I believe you are referring to Ft Phil Kearny near Sheridan, WY. Ft Fetterman was in operation until 1882. Ft Phil Kearny, Ft CF Smith, and aft Reno were all abandoned as part of the treaty of 1868. This resulted in Ft Fetterman being the northern most fort and did not fall under the treaty because it was on the south side of the North Platter River. Ft Casper was also abandoned and those soldiers were sent to Ft Fetterman.
 
Interesting! A friend has a brick from the base of the barn where John Wilkes Booth was captured; such small items as the nails are neat if you are the person to actually find them, harder to pass the authenticity along to others. Interesting, I knew nothing about this engagement.
 
For those who have never been out here this is a picture of it from a few weeks ago.
This actually is the one in Wyoming,
Not too far from here is where the wagon box fight took place.
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Number of places to visit there right off i90,
For those who seen the film Jeremiah Johnson, theres crazy woman creek, named after her is there, an a monument to pourtugee Philips is there next to the old fort, fort Kearney.
Fort Casper, a museum now , south on down i25
 
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Nice photo. Never been there, but the myths and legends of Western history are in the brains of many baby boomers who grew up on Westerns!
Not getting off topic, but I advise anyone who would like to travel and see some of these places, mabey get it done soon, things in this country are changing fast.
Lotsa hotels in Buffalo an surrounding area an tourist season is over.
 
Ha! You're right! If the Indians won, it's a massacre! I don't know what they called the murderous slaughter of women & children at Wounded Knee! Even the men warriors were asleep, it's not like they were attacking US troopers. Which reminds us, the infamous Lt. Calley died recently.
????? I've always heard it referred to as a massacre. That is for at least 50 years.
 
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