USA > Wyoming > The history of Wyoming from the earliest known discoveries > Part 49
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Previous to the departure of Carrington and his com- mand from Fort Laramie, as may be gathered from what has been said, there was great excitement not only among the Indians at the post, but among the soldiers. Fair warn- ing was given by both Red Cloud and Man-Afraid-of-His- Horses that the troops could not go beyond Fort Reno, and that if an attempt was made to build new posts beyond that point there would be bitter, cruel and relentless war. To this Buffalo Tongue and others assented. It was openly told around the post that the Indians proposed to run off
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all the stock belonging to Colonel Carrington's train before he had been on the road two moons, but in spite of all this the commander of the expedition had his orders to go up the Bozeman road, occupy Fort Reno and build two posts be- yond, and this in face of the declaration of war on the part of the Indians.
Colonel Carrington's command had been camped at the ranch of Jules E'coffee, four miles east of Fort Lara- mie, and had remained there until June 17th, when they moved up the Platte on their way to Fort Reno, and the first night out camped at what was known as the Nine Mile ranch. The next day they made a march of sixteen miles to Little Bitter Cottonwood, where they bivouacked for the night, and the following day pushed on to Platte Canon, a distance of eighteen miles, where the command again went into camp. Jim Bridger thought it his duty while here to cau- tion the officers and men in regard to straying any great distance, as Indians, he believed, were in the vicinity. The officers looked incredulous and remarked that not an Indian had been seen for more than twenty-four hours. Bridger quickly rejoined that when you didn't see any of them. it was just the time to look out, for the chances were they were planning to swoop down and steal some stock or cut off some one who had strayed beyond the limits of protection. Af- terward these same officers had abundant opportunity to find out that Bridger's advice was very timely. On the 20th- the Platte was crossed at Bridger's Ferry. The large ferry boat then at that place was used to transfer the men and supplies, while the stock forded the river. On the 23d, camp was made at the mouth of Sage Creek, on the North Platte, up which stream they pursued their way the follow- ing day. The night of the 25th, the South Fork of the Chey- enne was reached, and on the 27th the command camped on the Dry Powder, and the day following they passed down this stream sixteen miles, crossed the divide and arrived at Fort Reno, on the main fork of the Powder River. The offi- cers and men did not take kindly to this spot in the wilder-
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ness. They had not been attacked by Indians, but signs of their presence were on every hand. The command had suf- fered for want of good water on the route; the weather was intensely hot, and taken altogether there was a plentiful lack of comforts all along the road. The post itself was a rather rude affair, being what is known as an open post. The warehouse and stables had a rough stockade surround- ing them, but the quarters for both officers and men were without protection. There was an abundance of water in the river, but it was muddy and strongly impregnated with alkali. This water, bad as it was, had to be hauled some distance in wagons for the use of the command, but a few days later a good spring was discovered, which was a great blessing. As this was to be a permanent post, Colonel Car- rington at once commenced the erection of better buildings in a new locality, which were surrounded by a stockade, within which were block houses with bastions on diagonal corners, loopholed to sweep all sides of the structure. At the time of the arrival of Carrington's forces two companies of the Fifth United States Volunteers were the garrison, and these troops had been waiting anxiously to be relieved so that they might return east and be mustered out, and it can be said that they left Fort Reno without a single regret. In addition to the above troops, there had been at the fort during the spring and early summer a company of Winne- bago Indians, but they had left some two or three weeks be- fore. When the new troops arrived at Powder River they found two or three emigrant trains waiting there for an escort, which they had finally made up their minds was not needed. The day after the arrival of Colonel Carrington's forces this commander had an opportunity to learn some- thing about Indians, as the hostiles approached and ran off all the horses and mules belonging to the sutler. Major Hammond and Lieutenant Dare, with eighty inen, were sent out in pursuit and to bring back the stock, but a seven- ty mile ride convinced them that it was useless to pursue these marauders, and the next day they returned to the fort
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without having accomplished anything except the capture of an overladen pony belonging to the Indians and having in its pack a large number of presents from the peace commis- sioners at Fort Laramie. The Indians had made a good trade, as the horses and mules they had secured were valu- able animals. While the work of putting up the new post buildings was going on the Fourth of July came and went, but the garrison was too busy to celebrate the day, prefer- ring rather to do all in their power to prepare defenses for the little command that was to be left on Powder River, and by July 9th the work had progressed so far as to make it safe to make the proposed advance movement to the north for the purpose of building Fort Phil. Kearney, located on Piney Creek. Captain Ten Eyck was placed in command, with two companies of the regiment. Captain Proctor and Lieutenant Kirtland, with one company, were left in charge of surplus stores, until such time as the wagons could be sent back for them. Colonel Carrington with four compa- nies now pushed forward toward the Big Horn.
A few emigrant trains had gone north over the Boze- man road that season, and among others Captain H. E. Pal- mer with supplies to be used in trade with Indians. The ex- periences of this trader have already been given in connec- tion with the report of the Powder River expedition of Gen- eral Connor. Colonel Carrington had practical ideas in re- gard to the movements of emigrants. He believed that these trains should proceed cautiously and should corral on the approach of war parties. He argued that to show a determination to protect themselves would have the de- sired effect on the prowling bands of savages, and in most cases such trains would escape disaster. There was nothing new about this, as Jim Bridger had been advocating this method of passing through an Indian country for more than forty years, and there is little doubt that this old guide was responsible for Colonel Carrington's timely advice to emi- grants. It was the only safe policy for those people to pur- sue, and those who took the hint acted wisely, for none of
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these suffered that season. Indians for all time have been in the habit of swooping down on the unwary, running off their cattle and cutting off stragglers.
Colonel Carrington, with the troops designed for the two new posts north, left Fort Reno on July 9, and made a distance of twenty-six miles the first day out, camping on Crazy Woman's Fork. Their next camp was on Clear Creek, and on the 13th they reached the Big Piney at the old cross- ing, and the next day the expedition was left in camp at this place, while Colonel Carrington, with some of his officers, accompanied by a mounted escort, made a reconnoissance in the Tongue River Valley. While the Colonel was away on this important service, a circumstance occurred which proved beyond a doubt the attitude of the Indians in the country north of Fort Reno. Stories had been told at Fort Laramie of the fabulous wealth of the Big Horn country. In short, it was generally believed that gold abounded ev- erywhere and these stories had their effect on the soldiers in the command. A few hours after the departure of the re- connoitering party, it was discovered that some of the men who had been left in camp had deserted, going in search of the rich mines before alluded to. The officer of the day. Bre- vet Captain Adair, started out a detachment in pursuit of the deserters, but the detail returned before noon with the report that they had been stopped by a band of Indians and ordered to return to camp. These Indians had sent word to the commander of the expedition to take his soldiers out of the country. This was Red Cloud's band, and the Indians were very particular to have the white chief understand their message. They had pressed into their service a young white man who was in the employ of an Indian trader in the country, named Louis Gazzous, and instructed him to say that the soldiers must at once retire to Fort Reno, and that no other posts were to be built north of it. They placed the responsibility upon Colonel Carrington to say whether there should be peace or war. If the soldiers should go back and occupy Fort Reno, the Indians were willing to pledge
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themselves to peace, but should they persist in remaining where they were, or in building forts, hostilities would begin at once. The white messenger, who was a mere boy, was de- tained in the guard house until the return of Colonel Car- rington at six o'clock that evening. Carrington sent the young man back to the Indians in company with Jack Stead, a squaw man, to invite the chiefs and some of their braves to come to his camp in two days for a conference. Stead returned on the night of the following day and re- ported that the Indians, having become alarmed at the pro- longed absence of their white messenger, had decided that it was not prudent for them to remain in the vicinity, and accordingly they moved across to Tongue River and he had been obliged to follow them a distance of thirty miles. He said that the chiefs had accepted the invitation to the con- ference and would be on hand at the proper time.
On the 15th, the site of Fort Philip Kearney was se- lected and everything was hurried along so as to have the camp present an impressive appearance on the arrival of the savage visitors on the 17th. The parade ground was staked off, the wagon train and artillery properly parked, the tents for the officers and men properly set up, guards mounted, and in short everything was done that would add to the strength of the position and the military appearance of the camp. On the 16th, a detail of wood-choppers was sent out to cut timber for the necessary buildings of the garrison. A saw mill which had been brought along was set up to cut the lumber needed. Colonel Carrington proved himself a thoughtful, able commander and every soldier dropped into his place and did his duty not only willingly but enthusiastically. The Indians were prompt and in fact a little ahead of time, as forty of them arrived on the after- noon of the 16th, and among these were Dull Knife, Red Arm, Black Horse, Little Moon and some half dozen others. There were no great chiefs among them, but they represent- ed Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses, Red Cloud and others; but these particular Indians belonged to the Cheyennes, and
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they came in state and dignity. Colonel Carrington had erected a hospital tent in which to receive his guests and designated it as the place where the council would be held. The officers of the garrison put on their dress uniforms and tried to impress the savages as much as possible with their dignity and importance, but the chiefs were not to be out- done in the matter of finery or dignified bearing. They as- sembled in the tent and brought out the pipe, lighted it and it was passed around. Jim Bridger, who was there, took a seat in a corner and said nothing, but kept a close watch of the proceedings. Jack Stead, who was the interpreter, occupied a position well to the front and observed the cus- tomary importance of his position. After many hand-shak- ings and exclamations, peculiar to Indians on state occa- sions, this interpreter announced that Black Horse desired to speak, and consequently all eyes were turned toward the Cheyenne chieftain. This warrior arose and dropping the buffalo robe which had encircled his shoulders, stepped for- ward toward the center table and with proud bearing folded his arms across his breast and commenced his address. The speech he made has not been preserved, but it is said that it was a remarkable appeal to the white man to leave their country and spare their people. He pleaded long and elo- quently, telling the whites that they were forcing his people, by this invasion of their hunting grounds, to oppose them with all the strength they possessed. Other chiefs followed him in the same strain, but all assured Colonel Carrington of their desire to be friendly to the whites, and would con- tinue to be if they were not driven by the Sioux to make common cause in driving the white men back to Powder River. They wanted provisions, and said if these were fur- nished them they would make a strong peace and allow a hundred of their young warriors to join the white soldiers in the campaign against the Sioux. They received the pro- visions asked for, also twenty pounds of tobacco. They ap- peared uneasy and desired to get away, evidently expecting that the Sioux were on their way to attack Colonel Carring-
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ton's camp. Giving as an excuse that they were fearful the Sioux would attack their own camp, which had been left in charge of some old men, they departed. Carrington and his officers seemed to be of the opinion that this conference was productive of good, as these chiefs were not known to have committed any depredations against the whites while his command remained in that country. . The next day, July 17, Indians crawled close to the fort and ran off a lot of stock. Brevet Major Hammond and an orderly started in pursuit, leaving word for mounted men to follow, but this order did not reach the fort until two hours after, when fifty mounted men and two companies of mounted infantry marched rapidly over Lodge Trail Ridge and came upon the scene of a massacre. A party of six white men, composed of Louis Gazzous, Henry Arrison and four others were found killed. The Indians had driven off the cattle belonging to the train and partially plundered the wagons. Gazzous had long been an Indian trader, and from the fact that he had a Sioux woman for a wife he felt confident that there was no danger to be apprehended. Gazzous, better known in Wyoming as "French Pete," had been warned by Black Horse that there was danger to himself and friends, but he neglected the warning and the worst came. The soldiers from the fort attacked the Indians, but finding them in great force, retreated to the post. Two soldiers were killed and three wounded. On the 24th, a train which had started several days before for Fort Reno was heard from. Captain Burrows, who had charge of the train, reported from Clear Creek that the Sioux were very numerous and hostile and that an additional force was needed at once. The same mes- senger brought a letter from Thomas Dillon stating that Hugh Kirkendall's freight train was corralled and sur- rounded, but Kirkendall and his men were making a gallant fight and keeping off the savages, and yet they would be unable to move on without the aid of troops. A company of infantry with a mountain howitzer was dispatched to Captain Burrows, and this force arrived none too soon, as
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they fond the train surrounded by 700 Sioux, who fled on the approach of reinforcements. It was found that Captain Burrows had one man killed. On reaching Crazy Woman's Fork it was learned that five officers who were on their way to Fort Phil. Kearney had been attacked at that point by fifty Indians. The escort numbered only ten men, and the trains containing Lieutenant Wands' wife and children had been unexpectedly attacked and Lieutenant Daniels killed. A rescue party under Lieutenant Kirtland reached the place from Fort Reno and had given timely assistance. Chaplain White was with the officers and it was said that he had handled a rifle in a very practical way and assisted materially in keeping off the Indians. The officers' train had returned to Fort Reno, taking the remains of Lieutenant Daniels, at which post his burial took place. It was discov- ered that the Sioux were in force at all points along the road between Fort Reno and Fort Phil. Kearney, and nearly every day trains were attacked.
During the balance of the month, things were made pretty lively at Fort Reno as well as at Fort Phil. Kearney. The plan of the Indians was to constantly harass the forts by running off stock and cutting off soldiers or citizens who ventured any distance beyond the stockades. All govern- ment or emigrant trains were threatened and attacked if the surrounding conditions promised favorable results. From the 15th of July till the 29th, there were no less than eight attacks on trains between Reno and Fort Phil. Kearney. On the 29th, a train was attacked on the East Fork of the Chey- enne and eight men were killed and two dangerously wounded. One of the latter died. The separate killings during the fourteen days mentioned amounted to not less than twenty more. Hay and wood parties from each of the forts were being constantly attacked and soldiers and citi- zens suffered death at the hands of the savages with great regularity. During the first few days of August, Lieutenant Colonel N. C. Kinney, with two companies, was sent to the Big Horn River to establish Fort C. F. Smith. On the 7th
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of August, Mr. Grover, an artist and correspondent of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Weekly, was scalped while taking a short walk near Fort Phil. Kearney. Two days later, Indi- ans attacked the timber train of the same post, but after a desperate fight and the killing of one Indian and the wound- ing of another, the hostiles were driven off. On the 12th, 14th and 17th, emigrant trains were attacked near Fort Reno and considerable stock run off. From that time until the Sth of September everything was comparatively quiet, but on the last mentioned date twenty mules belonging to citizens at Fort Phil. Kearney were cut off from a herd a short distance from the post. Two other demonstrations were made the same day. On the 10th, ten herders, in charge of some horses and mules, were attacked within a mile of the fort and thirty-three horses and seventy mules were driven off. On the 13th, a band of Indians attacked the hay contractors, Crary and Carter, on Goose Creek, and killed one of the hay hands, and hay had been heaped upon five mowing machines and set on fire. At the same time 209 cattle had been driven off. Lieutenant Adair, with troops from the fort, went to the relief of the hay party, but found the Indians in too great force and was obliged to re- tire. On the same day Indians stampeded the herd belong- ing to the fort, in spite of the best efforts of Captain Ten Eyck and a company of soldiers, and the stock was not re- covered. Two of the herders and a soldier were wounded. A soldier named Gilchrist was killed on the 14th, and on the 16th Peter Johnson, belonging to a haying party, was cut off by Indians. On the day following, forty-eight head of cattle were run from the south side of the fort, but the In- dians being promptly pursued the cattle were recovered. On the 20th, an emigrant outfit which was camped at the junction of the two Pineys was attacked, but meeting with a spirited resistance and help coming from the fort, the In- dians were driven off. One man belonging to the emigrant train was killed and another one wounded. On the 23rd the Indians succeeded in driving off twenty-four head of
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cattle, feeding near the fort. Quartermaster Brown, with twenty-three soldiers and some citizens, dashed in among the Indians and killed thirteen of them and recaptured the stock. On the 23d, Contractor Grull, who had been to Fort C. F. Smith, was attacked near Fort Phil. Kearney and he and two of his drivers were killed. During this time the Indians had not been idle around Fort Reno. They had driven off horses and cattle every few days. Caspar H. Walsh, a soldier, was killed on Dry Fork of the Cheyenne, on the 21st W. R. Pettis and A. G. Overhelt, citizens, were wounded. On the 27th, three soldiers and two citizens were killed near Fort Phil. Kearney, and on the same day the In- dians attacked a wood party but were driven back by the prompt use of a howitzer, with which the woods were shelled. In spite of interruptions the work of construction went on at Fort Phil. Kearney and also at Fort C. F. Smith. The soldiers as well as the officers saw that what was needed was protection against the savages, and everybody worked with a will to accomplish this important object. Hay was needed for the stock, but the Indians were rapidly getting away with the horses and cattle, so that a large amount of forage was not required, but protection from the cold as well as the savages was all-important.
Late in the fall Brigadier General Hazen came through on a tour of inspection from Fort Laramie and passed north, going to Fort Benton by way of Fort C. F. Smith. This officer must have seen the helpless condition of the three forts on the Bozeman road, but he encouraged Colonel Car- rington by telling him that two companies of cavalry were on the way from Fort Laramie, but these troops never came, except a few raw recruits who could be of little service in a place where experienced Indian fighters were required. To make matters still worse, twenty-six picked men were sent to Fort Benton as an escort to General Hazen. Lieutenant Bradley was in command of these men. Colonel Carrington pushed forward the work on the fort, so that on October 31st the construction was practically completed and the day
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was celebrated with a flag-raising and a muster-for-pay. The flagstaff, which had been completed by William Daily, who has for many years resided at Rawlins, was in place and ready to receive the stars and stripes. The fort and all its appointments was a credit to the little army which had con- structed it, and represented the work of loyal, willing hands. To describe what had been accomplished by these soldiers and to tell of the thrilling events which took place during the closing weeks of the year will be the object of the next chapter.
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CHAPTER XXXIX.
THRILLING EVENTS ON THE BOZEMAN ROAD .- [CONTINUED]. DESCRIPTION OF FORT PHIL. KEARNEY-COLONEL CARRINGTON'S ADDRESS AND HOISTING THE FLAG-A NIGHT ATTACK-THE GARRISON HAR- ASSED BY NIGHT AND BY DAY-FIGHT OF DECEMBER 6TH, LIEUTENANT BINGHAM AND SERGEANT BOWERS KILLED-THE FETTERMAN MASSA- CRE, EIGHTY-ONE BRAVE MEN MEET DEATH-SCENES AT THE FORT -BURIAL OF THE DEAD-JOHN PHILIP'S DARING RIDE FOR HELP- HIS ARRIVAL AT FORT LARAMIE-REINFORCEMENTS GO TO FORT PHIL. KEARNEY-SUFFERING OF THE TROOPS FROM COLD, ON THE JOURNEY-A REVIEW OF THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE MASSACRE.
The history of Wyoming presents many vicissitudes, occasions which have tested the bravery of the stoutest hearts, but there has been no time in this history more try- ing to the soldier than the period covered by November and December, 1866, at Fort Phil. Kearney. In judging events we must take into consideration the surroundings, the char- acter of the foe, the number and equipment of those en- gaged, the weather, and especially the season of the year. Here were troops indifferently armed, illy supplied with am- munition, and looking for reinforcements which did not come. Yet in spite of circumstances and and the neglect of the Department Commander, whose duty it was to supply both men and ammunition, these soldiers went forward to meet their fate, resolved to brave every danger in upholding the flag they loved and maintaining the authority of the government, which had neglected them.
The main fort was 600 feet by 800 feet, located on rising ground with a gradual slope from front and rear, and was a position of great strength. The stockade was of pine logs hewed to touching surface and set in the ground three feet and projecting upward eight feet. There was a block-house at the two diagonal corners, from which the four sides of
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the stockade could be swept. There were main gates con- structed of heavy planks in which were movable wickets. On the northeast side, inside the stockade, was the guard- house, office, sutler's quarters, band quarters and bakery. These were on the north side of the main entrance, and on the opposite side of this entrance was the quartermaster's office, back of this the laundry, then came the stables, cav- alry yard, and still back of this were the quarters for the non-commissioned staff. Opposite the main gates and at the extreme or southwest side of the fort was the hospital, and adjoining this, close against the wall, were the officers' quarters, and in front of these the battery grounds, where the artillery was parked. Along the north end and adjoin- ing the battery ground were the company quarters. At the southeast end was an extension constructed for a corral and quartermaster's yard. This was also surrounded by a stock- ade. The plan of the grounds and the location of the differ- ent buildings are given in the annexed diagram. On the
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