Fort Fetterman facts for kids

General Crook's Headquarters, Fort Fetterman. This drawing is from a newspaper in 1876.

Fort Fetterman was a wooden fort built in 1867 by the United States Army. It was located on the Great Plains frontier in what was then Dakota Territory. Today, this area is about 11 miles northwest of Douglas, Wyoming. The fort sat high on cliffs south of the North Platte River. It was a key base for several US military trips against Native American tribes who were defending their lands. Soldiers at the fort mainly protected European-American pioneers traveling on the Bozeman Trail. Fort Fetterman is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Building Fort Fetterman

The US Army built Fort Fetterman to be a main supply point. It supported their operations against Native American tribes. The fort was officially started on July 19, 1867. Companies A, C, H, and I of the 4th U.S. Infantry built it. Major William E. Dye led these troops.

The fort was named after Captain William J. Fetterman. He was killed in a battle with Native Americans near Fort Phil Kearny in December 1866.

What Was Inside the Fort?

Fort Fetterman was a large place. It had living areas for 300 soldiers and their officers. There were also buildings to store ammunition, food, and other supplies. The fort included a hospital with 15 beds. It had stables for 50 horses and a corral for 56 mule wagons. There was even a theater for entertainment. Other buildings included an ice-house, a root-house, a granary, and a bakery. There were also shops for blacksmiths, saddlers, and painters. A steam engine helped pump water from the North Platte River.

When Fort Fetterman was finished, the army closed Fort Caspar. Its soldiers moved to the new fort in August 1867. Fort Fetterman was south of the Platte River. This meant it was not part of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. That treaty made the US abandon forts further north, like Fort Reno and Fort Phil Kearny. So, Fort Fetterman became the northernmost military post in eastern Wyoming. It was very important for protecting the Bozeman Trail and other paths used by settlers.

Life at the Fort

Life at Fort Fetterman could be tough because it was so far away from other settlements. Many soldiers left without permission. Winters were long and very cold. Supplies had to be brought in by wagon from Fort Laramie or from Medicine Bow Station on the railroad. Soldiers had to carry water up steep hills from the river or a nearby creek. The soil was not good for growing gardens, so fresh vegetables were hard to get.

Fort Fetterman historical marker. This sign tells visitors about the fort's history.

Fort Fetterman During the Black Hills War

In 1876, during the Black Hills War, things changed at Fort Fetterman. This war involved the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. Several major military trips started from the fort.

One trip was the Big Horn Expedition. It included three of the fort's four companies. Colonel Joseph J. Reynolds led this group. They faced a defeat at the Battle of Powder River in March. Another trip was the Yellowstone Expedition, led by Brigadier General George Crook. They fought in the Battle of the Rosebud in June. The Powder River Expedition, led by Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, attacked a Cheyenne village in November during the Dull Knife Fight.

Fort Fetterman stayed active until 1882. The army then left it because the conflicts with Native American tribes had mostly ended.

Fetterman City

After the army left, a small community called Fetterman City grew up around the empty fort. Charles Henry King and others started it. It was a place where ranchers and wagon trains could get supplies. However, when the town of Douglas was built just eleven miles away in 1886, Fetterman City quickly became less important.

Fort Fetterman Today

Over time, the old fort fell apart. Today, parts of the site have been restored. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The State of Wyoming now manages it as a historic site. Visitors can walk on a special trail to see the remains of the fort's buildings.

An officers' quarters building and a warehouse for military supplies have been rebuilt. These buildings now have exhibits, old items, and displays that show the fort's history. They also tell stories about Fetterman City and the Native American tribes who lived in the area.