The Road West
Settlement of new agricultural land, freedom from religious persecution, the quest for personal riches, and the need for improved communications and commerce across the country. These are all reasons for the Road West. America’s emigrant trails began along the Missouri River in Missouri, Iowa , Nebraska, and Kansas.They came into central Wyoming along the banks of the North Platte River. Along the way to their intended destinations in California, Oregon and Utah, these trails crossed unbroken plains, rugged hills, steep mountains and waterless deserts. As trail use intensified and critical resources were depleted, conflicts arose with Native Americans. Though some emigrants died in skirmishes, many more lives were lost due to the rigors of the journey, including shortages of food and water, adverse weather, drownings, accidents and disease.

Although overlaps occur between the various uses, four general trail eras can be identified.

The Oregon Trail
The Bidwell-Bartleson wagon train left Independence, Missouri in the spring of 1841. Bound for the fertile valleys of Oregon and Washington, they pioneered the westward migration. Their 2,400 mile journey ended in Oregon near the Columbia River Valley, Oregon City area.

The California Trail
Started around the same time as the Oregon Trail, this trail achieved prominence in 1848 with the discovery of gold in California. In 1849, approximately 30,000 “Forty-Niners” used it to reach the gold fields. Many more emigrants followed in subsequent years. Starting at various points along the Missouri River, the main trail extended from the American Midwest to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and interior valleys of California. A more southerly route began near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Known as the Cherokee/Overland Trail (1849-1850). It followed the Arkansas River westward into central Colorado, then turned north into Wyoming. It rejoined the main California route near Fort Bridger in southwestern Wyoming.

The Mormon Pioneer Trail
Seeking feedom to practice their religious beliefs, Brigham Young led the followers of Mormonism from the banks of the Mississippi into the western wilderness. In 1846 they left Nauvoo, Illinois, and wintered along the Missouri River near present-day Omaha, Nebraska. In the spring of 1847, the lead party departed from Fort Bridger, Wyoming for the Great Salt Lake of Utah. By late July, the pioneers completed their 1,400 mile trek. Inspired by this first group of 148 emigrants, nearly 70,000 Mormons follwed the trail in the next 20 years, most heading for sanctuary in the Salt Lake Valley.

The Pony Express Trail
The Pony Express Trail was the first major inland communications route linking the eastern United States with the new setlements of the West. Beginning in April of 1860, riders carried mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California. With a series of stations along the route supplying fresh horses and men, the 2,000 mile trek could be completed in only ten days. Although service was discontinued in November of 1861-due in part to the construction of the transcontinental telegraph line-the Pony Express provided a vital link between east and west.

It is estimated that approximately 500,000 people ventured westward over the trails to settle and develop the vast resources of the American West. Soon, however, the trails waned in importance.With the completion of the transccontinental railroad in 1869, the 2,000 mile cross country journey, which once took four to six months by wagon or on foot, could be accomplished by rail in a mere two weeks.

Today, by car…,a few days; by plane…, a few hours.

Through a Narrow Passage….
at the crest of the hill, thousands of people and wagons eventually wore the deep ruts into the soft stone. Within a day’s journey of Ft. Laramie, livestock and riders struggled through the rocky terrain before making camp at Warm Springs or Cold Springs just to the west. Some chose to stop for the night at Register Cliff (three miles east) before proceeding on, depending on the condition of teams and travelers.

While the North Platte River provided critical water for stock and emigrants, it also posed a barrier to overland travel. The river’s waters, then untamed by dams could be swift and treacherous, especially in the spring/early summer. Not easily viewed from this vantage point, a deep meander channel of the river lies about a hundred feet to the east. It was easier to traverse the rugged landscape above than risk fording the river below. Childs Cutoff, established in 1850, coursed along the north side of the Platte from Ft. Laramie. It rejoined the main route of the trail at present-day Casper without having to cross the river. Still, the majority of emigrants followed the south bank path.

Listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1966, this site was dedicated as a State Historic Site in 1970. The numerous trail remnants found here, some vivid, some obscure, serve as a tribute to the passing of pioneers and the westward expansion of the country.

Forts, Stations and Camps
There were four forts, numerous stations and camps along the Oregon-California-Mormon Trails in Wyoming during the mid 1800s. In 1849, Fort Laramie was specifically established to protect emigrants traveling west.The post was abandoned on March 2, 1890. Fort Clay was established October 1855 and redesignated Camp Davis February 1856. Fort Bridger was purchased in 1858 and closed November 6, 1890.

Fort Casper was originally established in May 1862 and named Platte Bridge Station. It was designated a fort November 21, 1865 and was officially abandoned October 19, 1867.

Most miltary camps and stations were established near Pacific telegraph stations located near river, creek, or springs. The soldiers at those stations were responsible for protecting emigrants, delivering mail, protecting and repairing the telegraph line. All stations were constructed by the 11th Ohio Volunteer Calvalrly Regiment from 1862 to 1864. Buildings were constructed of logs or sod and had dirt or wood floors. All stations had enclosed corrals. Tents were also used for housing.

Camp Marshall, had wood buildings and was located just east of La Bonte Creek Station. It was established by E Company, 2nd Battalion in 1864. Named after Captain Levi G. Marshall, the camp was officially abandoned in the Spring of 1866.

Camp Dodge was established April 1865 by the 11th Kansas volunteer Cavalry Regiment, four miles east of Platte Bridge Station on present day Garden Creek, Casper, Wyoming. It was composed of tents. The camp was abandoned in June 1865.

Post at Platte Bridge/Camp Payne
Payne was established at the Camp Davis site. The post was to maintain communications for the Army’s 1858 Utah Expedition and to protect emigrants using the trail. Companies D and E, 4th Artillery Regiment, under the command of Captain Joseph Roberts and Captain G.W. Getty, were assigned there.

All of the stations were abandoned in Fall of 1866 when the last battalion of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment were finally mustered out of service.

Fort Clay, later named Camp Davis, was established to protect Richard’s Bridge. The post was officially abandoned in November of 1856. At its peak, no more than 53 soldiers were assigned there.

Fort Laramie to Horseshoe Creek Station, (S. of Glendo) 43 miles

Horseshoe to Camp Marshall (on La Bonte Creek) 20 miles

Camp Marshall to La Prele Creek Station 18 miles

La Prele to Deer Creek Station (Genrock) 17 miles

Deer Creek Station to Camp Davis, (Evansville) 24 miles

Camp Davis to Camp Dodge (Garden Creek, Casper 4 miles

Camp Dodge to Platte Bridge Station (Casper) 4 miles

Platte Bridge Station to Sweetwater Station (Sweetwater River) 45 miles

Sweetwater Station to 3 Crossings of the Sweetwater Station 36 miles

3 Crossings to Saint Mary’s Station (Rocky Ridge) 38 miles

St. Mary’s to South Pass Station (Burnt Station) 18 miles

Total Miles 267 miles

Encampments in the Guernsey Area
By wagon, encampments in the Guernsey area, are a day’s trek from Fort Laramie. Emigrants had three choices of camp sites in the Guernsey area: Register Cliff, Warm Springs or Cold Springs, the farthest encampment.

Lieutenant John C. Fremont’s Camp Site
In 1842, Lieutenant John C. Fremont, lead a mapping expedition of the Oregon Trail. According to Fremont’s map maker, Charles Preuss, the flat area just below this sign is most likely where the expedition camped on 21-22 July 1842. While camped here, Fremont noted in his report to Congress that Fort Laramie would be a suitable place of a military post.

Warm Springs Camp Site
Many period documents describe this area as the Emigrant’s Wash or Laundry Tub, due to the natural warm water temperature. Warm Springs is located approximately 1.25 miles to the west, up the drainage you are facing. In 1842 Lieutenant John C. Fremont wrote “At the distance of ten miles from the fort, we entered the sandy bed of a creek, a place where, on the left bank, a very large spring gushes with considerable noise and force out of the limestone. On the opposite side, a little below the spring, is a lofty limestone escarpment, partially shaded by a grove of large trees.” Today, the site remains much the same.

Cold springs Pass and Camp Site
Cold Springs Pass is located approximately three quarters of a mile and just to the left of the highest point you see. The Pass was used to get to Cold Springs Camp Site. The camp site is observable from a pull out on Highway 26 and is located approximately 2 miles west of Guernsey.

Register Cliff
Register Cliff is located 2 miles to the East The camp site was located on the flats below a mile long cliff of soft sandstone used as a name register by thousands of emigrants from 1847 on. It’s interesting that no emigrant ever mentions inscribing names or initials on the cliff in diaries. Also located near Register Cliff was the War and Guerrier Trading Post (1852-1855), Mills and Janis Trading Post (1858-1860), and the Sandy Point Pony Express Station (1860 -1861).

The United States Army and the Oregon Trail
The U.S. Army’s Role in Protecting the Oregon Trail in Wyoming 1842 to 1870.

Lieutenant John C. Fremont lead an expedition west in 1842 to map a route to Oregon Territory. The Scout, Kit Carson, guided the expedition. Lieutenant Fremont’s report and Charles Preuss’s maps were used by many emigrants.

In June of 1849, the first Army Post in Wyoming was established at Fort Laramie, also known as Fort John. Fort John was an old American Fur Company trading post located near the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. The mission of Army units stationed at Fort Laramie was to protect emigrants travelling the Oregon Trail.

East of Fort Laramie at the confluence of Horse Creek and North Platte River, the first Fort Laramie Treaty (1851) was signed by representatives of the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Gros Ventre, Mandan, Assiniboin and Crow Nations to allow Whites safe passage along the Oregon Trail.

On August 19, 1854, an emigrant’s lame cow was killed and eaten by members and guests of a Brule-Sioux village located approximately nine miles east of Fort Laramie. This lead to an event known as the “Grattan Massacre”. Lieutenant John Grattan’s badly mishandled attempt to arrest High Forehead, a Miniconjou-Sioux, who had killed the cow, resulted in the deaths of Grattan, 29 soldiers and Brule Chief Conquering Bear.

Near present day Casper, Wyoming, the Army established Camp Payne in 1858 and abandoned it in 1859. In 1862, Platte Bridge Station was established nearby. Two separate battles would occur near the station on July 26, 1865 involving Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapaho warriors and the US. Army. In the first, Lieutenant Caspar W. Collins and four troopers are killed. Sergeant Amos J. Custard and twenty-two troopers were killed in the final battle. Sixty warriors involved in the battles were estimated to have been killed. Platte Bridge Station was renamed Fort Casper in honor of young Lieutenant Collins.

With the completion of the Continental Railroad in 1869, and the relocation of the telegraph line, the use of the Oregon Trail dramatically decreased and so did the Army’s role in protection of the trail.

The Wyoming Army National Guard, in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, U.S. Department of Interior, Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, and Wyoming State Parks & Historical Sites, has provided interpretive signage to meet its responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act.

The U.S. Army’s Role in Protecting the Oregon Trail in Wyoming 1842 to 1870

The U.S. Army’s role in protecting the Oregon Trail is best described by the soldiers.

“Who is the cause of all this trouble now? Just one bad man. “The man who killed the cow.” The Great Father does not care about a cow but that fellow was a bad fellow, and was not given up, this caused all the difficulty. It was a very little thing, yet see how it spread over the whole Sioux nation from one bad fellow. I hope all the red people will remember this.” General William S. Harney, Commander of the Punitive Expedition against the Sioux for the August 1854 Grattan Fight. Fort Pierre Peace Council March 1-5, 1856.

“We are so busy now building and getting ready to pass the winter comfortably that I can’t write as interesting letters as I could other wise. When we get done building we go to hauling wood and then as soon as it will do we will go to making hay. We can get eight dollars per ton for cutting and curing hay. The weather is so warm that we sleep out doors in wagons. We spread out gum blankets and bed ticks over the bows for a cover and it is as dry and cool in there as any where.” Private Hervey Johnson, Company”G”, 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, June 24, 1864, Deer Creek Station.

“Cold dreary wind and cloudy all night; very chilly cold and windy. Most of the men are in their tents, overcoats on to keep comfortable. Captain Green of “B” Company and detachment just starting for Deer Creek. Snowing like forty thousand devils; ground covered with snow; still pouring down the near way; very cold, wet snow. Quit snowing but clears after dinner; cool northwest wind. Lieut. Clancey starts fo South Pass this evening.” First Sergeant Isaac B. Pennock, Company “I”, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, June 17, 1865, Platte Bridge Station.

“If it is in comtemplation to keep open the communications with Oregon Territory, a show of military force in this country is absolutely necessary; and a combination of advantages renders the neighborhood of Fort Laramie the most suitable place, on the line of the Platte, for the establishment of a military post.” Brevet Captain John C. Fremont, Leader of the 1842, 43-44, Oregon Trail Mapping Expeditions, 1845.

“Your Great Father...has sent me with a handful of braves to visit you...I am opening a road for your white brethren, and your Great Father directs that his red children shall not attempt to close it up. There are many whites now coming on this road, moving to the other side of the mountains.... You must not disturb them...Should you do so, your Great Father would be angry with you although he is the enemy of all bad Indians, he is the friend of those who are good.” Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, Commander of Presidential directed Military Show of Force Expedition, June 16, 1845, Council meeting with Brule, Ogalala, and Arapaho near Fort Platte, Wyoming.

“I regret the necessity which obliged me to kill any of your people, but under similar circumstances I will always act precisely in the same manner. I am now willing to forget what has passed, and receive you as friends; provided, you promise to behave yourselves here after; otherwise, I shall regard you as enemies, and am ready and able to meet you as such...you might escape at the time, and even for years, yet sooner or later, the day of retribution would certainly come.” First Lieutenant Richard B Garnett, Commanding Officer Fort Laramie, June 1853, Fort Laramie Ferry Incident between Chief Little Brave’s Miniconjou Souix and Fort Laramie’s Garrison.

”It was a race of life. Nehring, a private of Company K, 11th Kansas, not understanding the order, dismounted to fight from a deep washout in the road. Cpl. Grimm, looking around, yelled to him in German “to the bridge.” That was the last that was seen of poor Nehring. Camp, lost his horse and then ran for dear life, but within a few rods of safety was overtaken and tomahawked. Sergeant HankHammer’s horse was wounded but carried him safely to the bridge and then dropped. It was a miracle that any man escaped.” Private Stephen H. Fairfield, Company K, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, July 26, 1865, Platte Bridge Battle.

“Long trains of wagons were winding their way over the plains, the mysterious telegraph wires were stretching across their hunting grounds to the mountains, engineers were surveying a route for a track for the iron horse, and all without saying as much as ‘By your leave’ to the Indians. Knowing that their game would soon be gone, that their hunting grounds taken from them, and that they themselves would soon be without a country, they had resorted to arms to defend their way of life and themselves.” Sergeant Stephen H. Fairfield, Company K, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, reflecting on the Indian War of 1865, 1903.

“No sir; we don’t stop here. We are going into Platte Bridge in spite of all the redskins this side of Hell....I don’t care a damn. You Ohio fellows, decked out in buckskin and fringe think you know too much about this Injun business. We have been South, where fighting is done, and we know how to do it. You fellows are skeered. We will go on, and if you want to be safe, go on with us. We will cut our way through, or go to Hell a-trying. Forward, Men!” Commissary Sergeant Amos J. Custard, Company H, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, July 26, 1865, Sergeant Custard Army Supply Train Fight.