Fort Phil Kearny was built in 1866, in violation of treaties with the Sioux, to guard the Bozeman Trail through Wyoming’s Indian country. Several battles and skirmishes were fought until the fort was finally abandoned in 1868. The most significant battle is known as “The Fetterman Massacre”, or “Battle of the Hundred Slain”, by the Indians.
On December 21st, 1866, a wood gathering party from the fort was attacked by the Indians. A relief force from the fort went out to rescue them, led by Capt. William Fetterman. Capt. Fetterman, a Civil War veteran, had bragged that “Given 80 men, he could ride through the whole Sioux Nation”. Ironically, he led 80 men that fateful day.
As Fetterman neared the beleaguered wood party, he was taunted by warriors led by famed war chief, Crazy Horse. Fetterman broke his orders and pursued the Indians into an ambush by a combined force of over 2,000 Lakota Sioux, Arapaho, and Cheyenne warriors commanded by Chief Red Cloud. All 81 soldiers were killed.
Red Cloud signed The Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, creating the Great Sioux Reservation and closing Fort Kearny. This treaty was also broken after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, leading eventually to the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.