The Bozeman courier., 1926-09-17

Upon the arrival OF the cavalry, the
stOckade was torn down and the frame
buildings which served as barracks were
erected, and other buildings added.
For years the garrison of the post had a
lively time Of il. Great trains Of emigrants
were arriving from the east over the Boze-
man route and the hostile Sioux and thiev-
ing crows, constantly at war one with the
other, gave no end of trouble necessitating
frequent military expeditions to protect
life and property.
The first duty of the garrison at Fort
| Ellis was to go upon an expedition to the
mouth of the Musselsheu river to seek out
a practical route to what was then expect
ed would be the head Of navigation on the
Missouri. This trip was practically un-
eventful.
It was from this fort, in 1869, that Major
| the dead Of winter for the country of the
/ Blackfeet to aVenge the death Of Malcolm
Clarke. How his efforts, resulted in the
massacre Of an entire village Of helpless,
disease-stricken Indians, is now cOmmOB
a Battle with the Sioux
| It was from Fort Ellis, too, that detach-
ments were sent to protect surveying
parties who were, in 1S70-71, mapping out
g proposed route for the Northern Pacific
railroad. On the second Of these protective
expeditions, lin 1922, the Battle of Bakers
Battlefield was fought east of Billings.
About 1900 Indians, chiefly Sioux, partici-
pated in the engagement. The command
had with it a considerable beef herd which
was quartered outside the camp. In those
days, it was the custom of many civilians
to follow the military on such fOrays,
carrying with them stocks of liquor and
goods which were disposed Of to the troop
l ers or traded to the Indians for furs. In
this case there were a number of civil
e ians following the detachment, and these
, were quartered outside the regular mill
tary camp.
e found a painted savage bending over him.
= He Immediately shot and killed the intrud-
e er, and the command, awakened by the re-
t port, opened its eyes to find that the camp
was surrounded by Indians.
= Active firing followed, and the Indians
: retreated to the bench lands. A prOtraeted
t battle ensued. Finally the cavalry saddled
p the Indians hastily withdrew. The Indians
e ioVt 40 killed and 100 wounded, while one
so Ter and one civilian had been killed,
: .-t.t '"rsA soldiers were severely wounded.
= fLal stOckade of Fort Ellis en-
: 'tt rangle 800 by 45S feet and was
z, 0igS The 0uartermasters stables
.vpr. isulit O. t.~1 lie the four cavalry
IS s;f'es wars ID rooted with
Il rns. $. TIE "a 40 huilt Of unhewn
IS pine logs. ',ita ortas eGd pine
d hoard floors. pure Satcf .rlied
e. from Galaltin river. I!;s 'r ;'N1
ID included q squire OF laud, 80,
l. which was seven miles lCng. this art-- .4F
I'd ing long since been transformed iTts low
I'd ing grain and forage fields. The buildings
IN as rebuilt by the cavalry have completely
Mt disappeared there remaining tOdaF to mark
ch this historic spot, but the stone base of
ings that marked the officers quarters,
in facing north upon a broad street formerly
a. used as a parade ground, are now but a
he memory in the mind of the Galiatin cOun-
y, ty pioneer The guardhOuse that stood at
he the western extremity OF the enclosure has
he disappeared and with it has gone the can
ry teen that stood close by. Opposite these
as Officers quarters were two long frame
buildings, the barracks. Some distance
southwest OF the main group OF buildings
on in a little grove of trees, stood the posi-
N hospital; and, still further on, on the south
,rt east was the twO-story house that was th'
er commanding officers quarters. These
Of too, have passed with the vanishing race o
NO natives who once held by undisputed au
A. thOrity the soil upon which these building
or stood. -
ed It will thus be seen that cid Fort Elli
nd was patterned in design and construction
rio very similar to the description Of early
ic- day frontier forts, given by General For
by syth.
~ The Gallatin valley bOasted of secont
,ilt military post, which, although shOrt-liveo
nd was by far the more elaborate Of the two
ms On a beautiful location, about 30 mile
he from BOzeman, in 1869, was erected b.
ms Colonel L. NJ. Black, Fort Parker at tina
nv time the best military post in the Terri
JSs tory 1t was on an elevated plateau, 8
,cb feet above the valley, its position command
,en ing the entire width Of the valley for man
ere miles, and any approach of hOstiles cOul
easily be fOreseen. On the east beauti
m full crystal stream passed; on the reSr WeF
10 4 the mountains; and in front, and about on
rt- mile to the north was the Yeuowston
us river This fort was destroyed by fire OC
Of tOber, 1872.
vSs Fort Thomas Francis MeaghSF was es
of taD!lSIed IN let<s tne Slts Oelns 1 : M
cor cavalry, if necessary. 1t was built thre
In miles below Meadow canyon, Tor yellow
in stone canyOn). Camp Meagher, Camp Id
nd ThOrOughman and Fort Green Clay Smitl
nS which were established at different point
re along the Yellowstone and Musselshell
-jra 1867, cannot be considered other than ten
in pOrary quarters for the volunteers.
tn Fort Pease on the Yellowstone
II Located on a high bottom about 10 to
IN feet square and three sides were built
(COntinDeG on Agricultural Pager