Fort Phil Kearney + Fetterman Battle site

We had passed signs for this historical site several times so decided we had better go today.  The Fort only lasted from 1866 to 1868 and was one of three Forts built along the Bozeman Trail to protect travelers heading to find their fortunes in the new mines in Virginia City.   Unfortunately the trail passed through last Northern Plains hunting grounds of Sioux, Arapaho, and Cheyenne Indians and pretty much decimated all their resources for survival.  The tribes came together, organized, and came up with a plan that resulted in the Fetterman Battle on December 21, 1866.  Seventy-nine soldiers and two civilians were killed in a short battle against a huge number of Indians.  The land was returned to the Cheyenne in the Treaty of 1868.  

Imagine these lands covered with herds of bison.