The Fetterman Fight... December 21, 1866
At Fetterman Massacre Memorial near Banner

During the fall of 1866, Red Cloud gathered Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. As the Indians strength grew to the north on the Tongue River, they increased their raids on the Bozeman Trail forts. Colonel Henry B. Carrington received orders from the Department Commander to be more aggressive and carry out “punitive strikes against the raiding Indians.” Carrington requested more troops, better arms and more ammunition. Captain William J. Fetterman, a recent arrival to the fort, said that he could ride through the Sioux nation with 80 men. The stage was set for the Fetterman Fight.

December 21, 1866 was a clear day, with snow drifted on the north slopes of the hills and ridges from earlier storms. That morning Captain Fetterman requested command of a force to relieve a wood train under attack by Indians. His command included Lieutenant George Grummond, Captain Frederick Brown, 49 infantry, 27 cavalry and civilians James Wheatley and Issac Fisher, totaling 81 men.

Earlier in the day 800 to1,200 Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors had arrived in the Peno Creek Valley. Some were sent to attack the wood train, others to decoy the Army’s relief party and the rest took up positions for the planned ambush. The decoys lured Fetterman’s command over Lodge Trail Ridge. As the soldiers approached Peno Creek, the ambush was sprung. In the ensuing battle, as the troops retreated south toward Lodge Trail Ridge, they were surrounded and defeated.

In approximately one hour the battle was over. Captain Tenodor Ten Eyck’s relief column arrived to find the bodies of Fetterman’s command in three sparate groups along what is now known as Massacre Hill. Fort Phil Kearny had lost 81 men. Indian oral history indicates that their casualties were 20 or more.