“Give me 80 men and I can ride through the whole Sioux nation.”
How prophetic that Captain William Fetterman would make such a boast and then shortly after lead 80 men into a Sioux prepared ambush within a couple miles after leaving Fort Phil Kearny. That’s because the Captain never made the brag, it was attributed to him twenty years later.
The facts surrounding that fateful day in December of 1866 have almost been forgotten amid the numerous liberties taken in the story telling of the event. Unfortunately the character and honor of such men as Colonel Carrington and Captain Fetterman have suffered a historical injustice.
The one fact of the fight that hasn’t been lost in the telling is the ability of the Native American combined forces to not only recognize a flaw in the character of the average U. S. Military man, but also to take full advantage to achieve victory.
The Fetterman Monument and battle site are within view to the west of Interstate 90 between Sheridan and Buffalo, Wyoming. However, it is well worth taking the time to visit Ft. Kearny, the Wagon Box Battle site and the Fetterman Monument.
Check back often because I have more stories to tell and will be posting here regularly.
