60

CROFUTT’S NEW OVERLAND TOURIST

 

pany’s agent, for the site of a military post.
It was at one time the winter quarters of
many trappers and hunters. It is also
noted as being the place where several
treaties have been made between the sava-
ges and whites—many of the former living
around the fort, fed by Government,
and stealing its stock in return. The res-
ervation, declared by the President on the
28th of June, 1869, consists of 54 square
miles. It is situated 89 miles from Chey-
enne—the nearest railroad station—on the
left bank of the Laramie, about two miles
from its junction with the North Platte,
and on the Overland road to Oregon and
California. Latitude 42 deg. 12 min. 38
sec.; longitude 104 deg. 31 min. 26 sec.

FortFETreERMAN—This post was named
in honor of Brevet Lieutenant. Col. Wm. J
Fetterman, Captain 18th Infantry, killed
at the Fort Phil. Kearny massacre, Decem
ber 21st, 1866; established July 19th, 1864,
by four companies of the Fourth Infantry,
under command of Brevet Colonel William
McE. Dey, Major Fourth Infantry. It is
situated at the mouth of La Poele Creek,
on the south side of the North Platte River,
135 miles from Cheyenne, 90 miles south of
Fort Reno, and 70 miles northwesterly
from Fort Laramie; latitude 42 deg. 49
min. 08 sec., longitude 105 deg. 27 min. 03
sec. ‘The reservation of sixty square miles
was declared June 28th, 1869. Cheyenne
is the nearest railroad station. The regu-
lar conveyance from Cheyenne to the Fort
is by Government mail ambulance and
Black Hills stages.

Forr CaspeR—was situated on the
North Platte River, at what was known as
“ Old Platte Bridge,” onthe Overland road
to California and Oregon, 55 miles north of
Fort Fetterman; was built during the late
war; re-built by the 18th Infantry in 1866,
and abandoned in 1867. Its garrison, mu-
nitions of war, etc., were transferred to
Fort Fetterman. The bridge across the
Platte at this place cost $65,000—a wooden
structure, which was destroyed by the In-
dians shortly after the abandonment of the
post.

Forr Rrno—was established during the
war by General E. P. Connor, for the pro-
tection of the Powder River country It
was situated on the Powder River, 225
miles from Cheyenne, 90 miles from Fort
Fetterman, and 65 miles from Fort Phil.
Kearny. It was re-built in 1866 by the
~~ Infantry, and abandoned in July,

Fort Pum. KEarny—was established
July, 1866, by four companies of the 18th
Infantry, under command of Colonel H.
B. Carrington, 18th Infantry. This post
was situated 290 miles north of Chey-
enne, in the very heart of the hunt-
ing grounds of the northern Indians, and
hence the trouble the troops had with
the Indians in establishing it. Near this
post is where the great massacre took
nee in 1866. It was abandoned in July,
1868.

Fort C. F Smrra—was established in
1866, by Brevet Lieutenani-Colonel N. C
Kinney, Captain 18th Infantry, and two
companies of that regiment. It was at the
foot of the Big Horn Mountain, on the Big
Horn River, 90 miles from Fort Phil.
Kearny, and 380 from Cheyenne. It was
abandoned in July, 1868.

Here the thoughtful wil! note, that the
Government established four forts in this
northern Powder River country, for the
protection of the white man as against the
Indian. To the occupancy of the country
the Indians protested, and the Government
acceeded, and made a treaty, yielding up
possession of the whole country north of
the North Platte River—the Black Hulls
included—and abandoned the posts and the
country to the Indians. When gold was
discovered in this—acknowledged—Indian
country, and the white man commenced to
invade it—in search of gold—the Govern.
ment attempted to prevent their trespassing,
and to keep faith with the Indians anc
Gen. Sheridan issued his orders against
this invasion; and sent soldiers to arrest
all parties in the “ Hills,” and prevent

others from going to them. Finally, the |

Governinent “winked” at emigration
which it could not, or would not prevent.
What see we now? The white man has
taken the Indian’s country, that our Gov-
ernment has acknowledged belonged to the
latter, has drzven the Indians out, beggars
as they are, with only the bread that the
Government chooses to toss tothem. We
are no “ Indian lover,” but, if the Govern-
ment had a right to build these posts, they
should never have abandoned them; having
abandoned them, and treated with the
Indian, as an equal, where is our boasted
“civilization,” when, though the lands do
contain gold, we take them without a
“thank you,” as the elephant would crush
atoad, Does mzght make right ?

Buack Hinits Gotp Mrnes—For many
years vague reports have been in circula-