Colorado Forts- Fetterman

[Shortfingers]

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.

 

[Howard Pippin]

Yes, just outside of Douglas, Wyoming.

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

 

[Shortfingers]

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.