Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-16

ming, after rebuilding Fort Reno.
Here he began the erection Of the
first post which was 10 be called Fort
Phil Kearney, In honor of noted
Federal army officer killed in the Civil
war. In August another fort was
erected 81 miles north Of Fort Phil
Kearney, called Fort G. p. Smith. THIS
story, however, deals only with the
former post.
Red Cloud, meantime, was not Idle
He gathered together a great army
Of his best fighting warriors, and pre-
pared to make it exceedingly inter
esting for Colonel Darlington. While
the fort was in process of construc-
ton he lost no opportunity to harass
and bother the troops In every pos
sible manner. He had from $500 to
1000 warriors in the field, commanded
In person by himself American Horse
Big Mouth, Young Man Afraid-of
His-HorSes and other noted chiefs Of
the Sioux tribe.
The fort was built in the shape OF
a rectangle, 600 by 800 feet, tnclosed
with a formidable stockade made Of
heavy pine logs, placed four feet in
kAAC EAONAAAt AAA0 otaAAAAAE SAa%Ae 49,
high in the clear
Kill Soldier Workers
In order to secure the necessary logs
and lumber for the erection Of the
many buildings, it was necessary to
send wood trains six or seven miles
from the post back to the mountains
where timber was available All these
trains were heavily guarded, yet IN
spite Of the utmost caution, many SOL
diers were cut off and killed by little
war parties.
To summarize the matter: During
the first six months of fighting, from
the first of August to the close Of the
year 1866, Red Clouds warriors killed
154 persons, including soldiers and
citizens, wounded 20 more and cap
tured nearly TOO animals-cattle, mules,
horses-while 81 demonstrations were
made by the Indians in force in front
of the fort, and every wagon train that
went over the Bozeman trail was at
tackled. So much for Red Clouds ac-
tivity.
Early in December the fort was in
the last stages of completion. On the
9Th, the wood train was again at
tackled. A party was sent to its re-
lief from the fort, and in the skirmish
which ensued Lieutenant Bingham and
Sergeant Bowers were killed and five
soldiers wounded.
And on Dec. 8, President Andrew
Johnson congratulated congress that
treaties had been effected with the
warnings Indians and that "all was at
peace" in the northwest Little did the
Washington solons realize the storm
which was gathering and which was
to burst about their heads with telling
forcel
BY Dec. 10, it was estimated by
Colonel Darlington that one more
large wood train could bring in all
the necessary logs for the completion
of the hospital building. which was
the last bit Of work necessary before
the fort could be called actually fin
ished.
The prudent policy Of Colonel Car
rington in fighting the Indians was
scoffed at by many Of his younger
officers, particularly Captain Fetter-
man and Captain Brown, who were
constantly importuning the command
ing officer that they be allowed to
start out with 80 or 100 men and drive
the Indians out Of the country. Give
me 80 men," exclaimed Fetterman,
land win ride through the Sioux
nation"
Forbade Such Scheme
Darlington, however, had foresight
enough to see the folly Of such foolish
talk. He sternIy forbade any such
scheme, warning his officers that they
were fighting men just as cunning In
military strategy as themselves, and
who were far better posted on the lay
of the land, and besides, his entire
command was outnumbered so to l.
Fetterman and Brown secretly smiled
at the caution Of their commander.
It is a matter Of conjecture to this
day why Red Cloud never made
direct attack upon the post with his
whole available force. Had he done
so and maintained the siege, 1t Is not
unlikely that he would have been sue
cessful. Carrington's whole available
fighting force numbered only about
$50. His ammunition was likewise run
ming low, at one time there being but
40 rounds per man available. No help
or relief could be expected In the /
event Of an attack upon the post, as
the nearest point where soldiers was
available was at Fort Laramie, 236
miles to the southeast. There was Of
course no Geographic communication
with the outside world, and any call
for help would have to be made by
courier, through a country swarming |
with hostile Indians.
Wood Train Attacked
On Dec. q, about II o'clock in the |
morning, the lookout on Pilot Hill, near |
the fort (where a watch was con-
stantly maintained) signaled the fort |
that the wood train which was en-
route to the fort from the pinery, was |
again corraled and being attacked, |
about a mile and q half from the
fort.
Captain Fetterman was at that mo-
ment walking up and down In front
of his quarters. Colonel Darlington |
immediately ORGANIZED q detachment /