Fetterman Fight (1866) Flashcards

What was the Fetterman Fight (1866)?

An ambush near Fort Phil Kearny. Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors wiped out Captain Fetterman’s men.

When and where did the Fetterman Fight happen?

21 December 1866. Near Fort Phil Kearny on the Bozeman Trail, in the Wyoming Territory.

Which war was the Fetterman Fight part of?

Red Cloud’s War. It was fought over the Bozeman Trail and the Powder River hunting grounds.

Why did the fight happen?

The army built forts on the Bozeman Trail through Lakota land. Red Cloud fought to force them out.

Who commanded the soldiers who were killed?

Captain William J. Fetterman. He led the detachment sent from Fort Phil Kearny.

What order did Colonel Carrington give, and what did Fetterman do?

He ordered Fetterman not to cross Lodge Trail Ridge. Fetterman crossed it while chasing a decoy.

Who led the decoy that lured the soldiers?

Crazy Horse. He led a small decoy party that drew the soldiers into a trap.

What was the ‘wood train’ and why was it attacked?

A line of wagons collecting wood for the fort. Warriors attacked it to tempt soldiers to leave the fort.

About how many US soldiers died in the Fetterman Fight?

About 80 soldiers. None of Fetterman’s men survived.

How many Native American warriors took part?

About 1,000 warriors took part. They were Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho.

Why was the Fetterman Fight important?

It was a major Native American victory. It was the worst US Army defeat on the Plains until 1876. It helped lead to peace talks and the closing of the Bozeman Trail forts in 1868.

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What tactics did the Plains Indians use in this fight?

They used a decoy. They lured the troops over a ridge, then surrounded and attacked from cover.

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