Fort Fetterman
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Indian Wars Fort — Military post built in 1867 to protect the Bozeman Trail — key fort during Red Cloud’s War, the ONLY war the US clearly lost to Native Americans
Fort Fetterman was a military post built in 1867 on the North Platte River — a key installation during Red Cloud’s War (1866–1868), the only war the United States clearly lost to Native Americans! Named for Captain William Fetterman (killed with his entire command of 81 soldiers in the Fetterman Fight of December 1866 — the Army’s worst defeat on the Plains until Little Bighorn), the fort served as a staging point for campaigns against the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. Red Cloud’s War forced the US to abandon the Bozeman Trail and sign the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Converse County, WY |
| Entry Fee | Free / Donation |
| War | Red Cloud’s War — US LOST! |
| Fight | Fetterman — 81 killed, worst until Bighorn! |
About Fort Fetterman
Fort Fetterman in Converse County was a key U.S. Army post during the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 — serving as the staging point for General Crook’s Bighorn and Yellowstone Expedition. Named for Captain William Fetterman, who was killed with 80 soldiers in the 1866 Fetterman Fight near Fort Phil Kearny (the Army’s worst defeat on the Plains until Little Bighorn). The fort’s restored officers’ quarters house a museum.
Things to Do
Touring the restored officers’ quarters museum, walking the parade ground, viewing the North Platte River valley, and studying the Indian Wars campaigns that shaped Wyoming’s history.
Insider Tips
Indian Wars base: Fort Fetterman (1867-1882) was the staging point for major campaigns against the Lakota and Cheyenne — including Crook’s 1876 Bighorn Expedition. Pro tip: Named for Captain William Fetterman, who died with 80 soldiers in the 1866 Fetterman Fight — the worst US Army defeat on the Plains until Little Bighorn. Bozeman Trail: The fort guarded the Bozeman Trail to Montana goldfields.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Full access and interpretation. Fall: Quiet plains atmosphere. Year-round: Restored buildings. Spring: Green prairie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Fetterman Fight?
On December 21, 1866, Captain William Fetterman led 80 soldiers from Fort Phil Kearny to relieve a wood train under attack. Crazy Horse and other Lakota warriors lured Fetterman over a ridge — all 81 soldiers (Fetterman included) were killed in minutes. It was the US Army’s worst defeat on the Plains until Custer’s Last Stand a decade later. The disaster led to the abandonment of the Bozeman Trail forts.
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