The Bozeman courier., 1926-09-17

Onel Rankin. This fort had a short but |
eventful existence. Eleven months after its
construction, the combined forces OF several |
northern hostile tribes of Indians assault |
ed the position, but were repulsed: Wen /
reinforced, the redmen renewed the at |
tack, and, after three hundred OF their !
number, succeeded in capturing the post /
and putting to death Colonel Rankin and
how Colonel Rankin, himself, shot his wife
rather than expose her to the cruelty OF
the natives
Fert shaw on Sun River
With the growth Of Fort Benton as
river port, trading center and the starting
point for the greater portion Of overland
travel to and from the new mining camps
at Last Chance and Alder gulches, it was
found necessary that the military extend
its activities farther up the Missouri val
ley. Thus, June 80, 1867, found MaJOr
William Clinton and four companies OF
the 18th Infantry encamped on spot,
about six miles west Of Sun River Cross
ing and approximately 2S miles west OF
the present city of Great Falls. Their pur-
pose was to protect and keep open the
stage route from Helena to Fort Benton,
and to prevent as far as possible, the in
cursiOns of renegade bands or BlOOds ana
half breeds into the settlements to the
south. Their camp was called Camp Rey-
nOlds. On August l. 1867, pursuant to
government orders the name was changed
/ to Fort Shaw. This was done in remem-
branee Of the services Of Colonel Robert
/ "
teers, (cOIOred), who was killed at Fort
| Wagner in 1868.
In August, 1867, the soldiers were en-
lcamped in tents but before the cold wea-
ther had set in one half of each set Of COM
pany quarters, part or the hOspltal, a
wooden storehouse, and three sets OF OF
ficers quarters had been completed. Inc
walls Of the buildings, for the most part,
were constructed Of adobe, the Drlcks usea
being in dimension 6x12x4, and well baked.
Many of these structures still stand on the
n aNuwaww
walton, in its entirety, extended along the
Sun River valley for distlhee OF at least
ten miles.
old Fort Shaw was ere Of the ,aOst i'm
lpOrtant military posts 81 tie eutir, north
west at one time, an0, Tor .1c1y years =
was HEADQUARTERS for the HaiiitG-y in Moe
tana Territory as well as p9sf.SGT y SIX
rounding states and terrltorlt - s'
enth Infantry, relieved the 4Stb lAEantF:
in 1872; and, according to his a~o StaGe
ment it was at this fort that tlaS 1eiefaf
Indian fighter spent the most eaJo- 81
nortion of his sojourn in the West. 10,
ing his term as commander Of the post, a
well as during the stay there OF Genera
Brooke the post was one OF the Ierrltory
social centers. The forts DulldlngS IN
cluded a spacious dance hall and theatre
Here many travelling troupes presente'
high-class performances before both sol
dier and civilian and the regimenJa1 D'ln'
furnished music for regular dances an
Iother entertainment. Stories have OIte
been told of many creditable home -talen
performances staged by troopers, In whlc
many men prominent in military circle
participated. .
The Seventh Infantry was relieved /
1879 by the Third Infantry with Genera
John r. Brooke in command. In tn
spring Of 1887, the 25th Infantry, (coloreQ
under Colonel Van Horne relieved tn
Third. and this regiment remained at tn
fort until it's abandonment as a militar
Fpost For several years, the old Tort wa
utilized as an Indian school
Fort Ellis in the GaIIatin Valley
1t was an order from General Terry, the
in command Of the Department or Ddhota
that resulted in the establishment OF 70
Ellis on August p, 1867. rms IronIi'
post, which was so recently the scene
ceremonies which resulted in the unVellln
Of a memorial tablet by the Montana u !
r. was situated on the Gallatin rive
about 5000 feet above sea level. hemme
Is, in on three sides by bold mountains, an
ed facing to the south over hlgh pralE
lands, Fort Ellis commanded most pi
turesque setting. 1t was constructed |
Of two companies of the 18th Infantry una
r command Of Major Lamont
~ A large stockade, 16 feet high, was Dul
about the houses, which-Doth men al
officers Quarters-were Of logs. Bastl0l
were erected at two Of the cOrners-C
10 southwest and northeast. While the plal
were that the post should be garrisoned
~ at least two companies, the orlglnal Orue
were that the fort should De nuiIt IN SUI
a manner that it could be held by 10 M
in the event that the main force we
= away at the time of surprise attack.
n The purpose Of Fort Ellis was to coz
III mand the mountain passes into the Gall
!. :, tin valley from the east, the most impOI
IL ant of which was "BOzeman," or Clarl
rt Pass, which was the western terminus
rt the famous Bozeman Trail. The post W
- given its name in honor Of Colonel Ellis
er the Sixth Massachusetts Voluntary lnfa
lg try, (colOred), brave and brilliant Ofrlc
who was killed during the Civil war.
- 1863 the garrison of Fort Ellis was rel
forced by four companies Of the Seeol
ad Cavalry, which marched in from Fort RJ
ell sell, Wyoming; and these four troops
tn lmaiRed at the post practically the enti
- npriod of its maintenance as a military
IN stitution: but the two companies or
fantry were changed from time to time.
n was abandoned by the War Department
he 1885.
~ a-