Military Sites in Wyoming 1700-1920 Historic Context
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MILITARY SITES IN WYOMING 1700-1920 HISTORIC CONTEXT 2012 MARk E. MILLER, Ph.D. With Contributions By Danny N. Walker, Ph.D. Rebecca Fritsche Wiewel, M.A. Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office Dept. 3431 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, Wyoming 82072 Cover Photo The cover image portrays the Fetterman Massacre Monument erected on that battlefield in July 1905, one of the earliest commemorative markers for military sites in Wyoming. The federal government appropriated $5,000 for the 20-foot monolith, constructed by E. C. Williams of Sheridan (Jording 1992:165). General Henry B. Carrington, who had commanded nearby Fort Phil Kearny during the first Plains Indian Wars, gave an address at the dedication ceremony on Independence Day 1908. Someone stole the eagle emblem from the face of the monument in 2008…it has not been returned. MILITARY SITES IN WYOMING 1700-1920 HISTORIC CONTEXT Hide painting by Charles Washakie (Wo-ba-ah) of combat episodes in the life of Chief Washakie. ETHN-1962.31.189, Wyoming State Museum, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. AbSTRAcT This study investigates the presence and diversity contacts escalated dramatically following the 1864 of military sites in Wyoming occupied during the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado and simultaneous period 1700-1920. It identifies individual properties burgeoning travel on the Bozeman Trail, inaugurating and places them in thematic and chronological the bloody episode of the first Plains Indian Wars. context with a brief discussion of each site involved. Construction of the Union Pacific was facilitated in Broad patterns or trends in human behavior indicated part by conditions set forth in the 1868 Fort Laramie by the sample are addressed during discussion of Treaty. A few years later gold was discovered in the ten chronological episodes. While some level of Black Hills, which rekindled hostilities and helped armed conflict has been present in the study area for instigate the second Plains Indian Wars. After Native millennia, this context explores the development of American populations were placed on reservations, military activities beginning with the introduction the military focus shifted toward protecting the of the horse and gun into Native American culture. country’s first National Park in Yellowstone and Horses were first traded into Wyoming from a helping establish the new State of Wyoming’s role different direction than guns, and once the two in the United States’ geopolitical influence on the overlapped Native American groups developed a global scene. The final episode of this context more successful means of combat. The Army entered explores Wyoming’s role in the Spanish American the scene on a more permanent basis when the U. S. War, the Philippines, Mexico’s Revolution, and World Corps of Topographical Engineers initiated military War I. A management chapter discusses research surveying efforts for transcontinental routes, and then implications and preservation concerns. the Army purchased Fort Laramie. Cross-cultural Abstract i ii AckNOWLEDGMENTS A study of this scope and magnitude could not be references that added meat to the bones of this study. accomplished without the generous support of many Steve Fullmer, a well-informed historian at Fort people. The preparation of this context has been Laramie sent me valuable information on Indian spread out over five years, and I will do my best to engagements in that vicinity. Dave McKee of the U. acknowledge all of those who helped me in large and S. Forest Service shared his insights on Custer’s 1874 small ways. If I miss someone, I apologize because Black Hills Expedition and thoughts on the Sibley any oversight is mine alone. Scout. Dave Eckles, former Director of the OWSA First and foremost, I want to thank Dr. Danny Archaeological Survey, spent considerable time N. Walker, Assistant State Archaeologist, who in discussing with me his field work on the discovery of 2007 generously supplied some of his research for a seventeenth century horse skeleton in southwestern Appendix A. He also found obscure references Wyoming. Rick Weathermon, senior academic regarding military sites, which fortified the following professional research scientist in the Department discussions. Rebecca Fritsche Wiewel worked with of Anthropology at the University of Wyoming, me from 2007-2008 while she was completing her shared his valuable time over the years to debate Master’s degree at the University of Wyoming. various locations where the Bannock Battle may She researched well over 100 sites to prepare the have occurred in the Big Horn Basin. Jamie Schoen, recording forms presented in Appendix B. These archaeologist for the Bridger Teton Forest; Sam forms may be expanded in the future as individual Drucker, archaeologist for the BLM in Pinedale; and researchers complete more study on each site. interested historian Richard Ashburn, have provided Becky also helped conduct a series of queries in the their thoughts on a possible 1832 skirmish/burial site WYCRO Cultural Records database and digitized on the Hoback River. Dr. Dudley Gardner happily several military sites to enhance the utility of that shared his research on Fort Bridger, Camp Pilot Butte, database. This context could not have been finished and Rock Springs Chinatown. William Dobak and without Danny and Becky’s participation. Joe Wheeler offered valuable insights on various The entire staff of SHPO Cultural Records sites. Lavonne Haskins and Ross Hilman aided with under the direction of Mary Hopkins deserves copying and binding chores on earlier drafts. Thanks acknowledgement. I especially want to single out are due Laura Patridge for the final layout of the Jeff Keahey, Steve Sutter, and Ross Hilman for their context. tireless assistance when I needed to reconcile my Marty Rogers, former curator of the University research with information in WYCRO and WYCRIS. of Wyoming Archaeological Repository (UWAR) Ross also granted me permission to use the photo of and staff member in the Office of Wyoming State an 1876 monument for Camp Cloud Peak that was Archaeologist, was an invaluable resource. She found on his family ranch. Jeff Keahey prepared the frequently pulled old field notes from UWAR records site distribution maps that accompany each of the of previous investigations and consulted with me central chapters, and I am thankful for his skilled on where certain artifact assemblages were likely effort. curated. The state-of-the-art UWAR facility is a Several other friends and colleagues deserve fabulous research tool. mention for specific contributions. DaleWedel Thanks to every organization and individual who of the Office of Wyoming State Archaeologist - graciously allowed me to use photographs to illustrate Archaeological Survey shared his vast knowledge this context. Credit lines are listed in each caption. of military sites, and turned me on to several key Thanks also to the American Heritage Center at the Acknowledgments iii University of Wyoming, and the State Archives in Cheyenne, especially Suzi Taylor, for all of their help in finding useful resources. Richard Collier of State Parks & Cultural Resources is gratefully acknowledged for the use of some of his photography. Various members of the Wyoming Archaeological Society offered valuable insights on site locations and information whenever asked. Thanks are extended to Judy Wolf, Nancy Weidel, Dr. Danny Walker, and Dale Wedel for reading and commenting on earlier versions of this document. Their constructive observations were greatly appreciated, and they helped improve the final manuscript. Likewise Dr. Douglas D. Scott and John D. McDermott served as peer reviewers and their suggestions make the context a more effective research and management tool. Thank you all. Thanks finally to JudyWolf again, Chief of Planning and Context Development for the Wyoming SHPO program. Judy’s knowledge of context matters drove the organization of this document. Her wise counsel over the years helped keep my primary goal in focus. iv Acknowledgments TAbLE Of cONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ......................................................................................................................xv Chapter 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................1 Purpose .........................................................................................................................1 Military Context ...........................................................................................................1 Scope ............................................................................................................................3 Chapter 2. Theory and Method ............................................................................................9 Warfare .........................................................................................................................9 Geography ..................................................................................................................14