I honestly did not know the “monster” I was creating.
When Victoria and I came up with the idea that the boys would be cavalrymen in the costume contest at the kids’ rodeo, we didn’t anticipate the snowball. Sure, watch John Wayne in “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”. Wear the costumes for ten minutes. I figured that would be that.
But the movie is now memorized. The costumes are worn often. “Cavalry! Cavalry!” echoes across the yards.
Time for our trip to Fort Phil Kearny.
Now I grew up going to Fort Caspar, and I love it… but I wasn’t sure the rambunctious little boys would actually take an interest since there wasn’t *real* cavalry present. I’d just shoot for the “local” Fort Phil Kearney over between Buffalo and Sheridan. A test run for showing some interest in history/cavalry/Indians.
Yeah. They loved it.
Did we get into the why’s and wherefore’s of the Indian Wars? No. They’re kids. Black and white. Good guys. Bad guys. Running. Jumping. Shooting. As they grow, I’ll share more. I’ll try to explain. They both have a smidge of Choctaw blood running through their veins… I want them to know both sides but you have to start somewhere.
Not to be confused with Fort Kearny, Nebraska. Different Kearny. Built in 1866 just after the ending of the Civil War. Three forts were built along the Bozeman Trail to protect the gold miners headed to Montana. Fort Reno, Fort Phil Kearny, and Fort C. F. Smith. Fort Phil Kearney was the largest stockaded fort in the west, with 4,000 logs in the stockade alone.
Trips to the mountains for wood were prime chances for the local Indians to take pot shots at wagons. The harassment was seemingly continual. In December of 1866, Brevet Lt. Col. Fetterman led 80 infantry and cavalry to aid the woodcutters, but by following the taunting Indian decoys instead, it led to their death. No one survived. There’s a great history written HERE.
The interpretive center was great.
Plus, they loved the boys’ costumes, too.
Lest you think I only took photos of Jaxon, I just want to clarify. I have photos of Quinlan… he’s just blurry or turned away. The kid doesn’t stand still for long!
We also went to the battle site and the Wagon Box Fight. More to come on that later.
Hi my name is Mark. Those are nice Rodeo outfits. Nice tour and excellent adventure you had there.
What an adventure for your GKs. Thanks for the history lesson too. Growing up on black and white westerns ( The Virginian was my favourite) you mostly got only one side of the story. Your GKs will appreciate more of the story at a later date.
Didn’t there was another Pilot Knob, one in Missouri, civil war site.
It may have been common usage as just the overlooking signal hill where men were stationed to give warnings, announcements, and alerts.
This is Wyoming History homeschool at it’s finest! You’re an amazing grandma, and these guys are lucky to have these kinds of adventures with you.
Grew up loving westerns. I have never seen the following but it deals with the cavalry in the 1860’s in a small fort in Arizona.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrMQXdGk6y0
Thanks for all you do for the kids I can’t wait to hear all about it from Jaxon.
Wonderfully done my friend! It is a somber place to visit, in that it was the greatest loss of life for the U.S. cavalry, in one place, until Little Big Horn. Now it is a quiet and beautiful setting, where kids can roam, as tall grass blows. They will have plenty of years to be “grown-ups”. And yet, they will remember………..
History should never be forgotten. Your doing a great job teaching them. How blessed these boys are to know the truth. Sure is something that a custome would lead to history.
Great photo and neat thing to do!
You never know where something like this might lead. About ten years ago or so I stopped in at the Wagon Box battlefield just up the road from this site and found that a university class from Montana was there at the time. The two professors teaching the class were dressed as . . . Frontier cavalrymen.
Oh such a great experience for the kids! Way to let the reins lose, Grandma! They are learning, & don’t even realize it.
These are great pictures and the boys look awesome. Great memories being made and thank you for sharing history along with the gorgeous views
What wonderful memories to be making! When they get as little older, introduce them to “F Troop” That series never got old!