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Fort Phil

Posted on August 7, 2020August 7, 2020

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.

Pilot Knob in the background with silhouette and signal flag.
Looking out the gate with silhouettes of riders coming down the hill.
You can look through the little pvc pipe to see specific spots pertinent to the fort.
They put those serious faces on. I just asked them to sit there.
Is he on the offensive or defensive?

The interpretive center was great.

Plus, they loved the boys’ costumes, too.

The scavenger hunt was popular.

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.

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13 thoughts on “Fort Phil”

  1. Mark says:
    September 13, 2020 at 8:39 AM

    Hi my name is Mark. Those are nice Rodeo outfits. Nice tour and excellent adventure you had there.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says:
    August 9, 2020 at 2:55 AM

    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.

    Reply
  3. Glee says:
    August 8, 2020 at 4:58 PM

    Didn’t there was another Pilot Knob, one in Missouri, civil war site.

    Reply
    1. Carol says:
      August 8, 2020 at 10:51 PM

      It may have been common usage as just the overlooking signal hill where men were stationed to give warnings, announcements, and alerts.

      Reply
  4. Dawn says:
    August 8, 2020 at 4:15 PM

    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.

    Reply
  5. Jean says:
    August 8, 2020 at 2:43 PM

    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

    Reply
  6. Jean Steingrebe says:
    August 8, 2020 at 10:23 AM

    Thanks for all you do for the kids I can’t wait to hear all about it from Jaxon.

    Reply
  7. Linda Henrichsen says:
    August 8, 2020 at 7:55 AM

    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………..

    Reply
  8. ginger busta says:
    August 8, 2020 at 6:01 AM

    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.

    Reply
  9. Pat_H says:
    August 8, 2020 at 4:33 AM

    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.

    Reply
    1. Pam Thomson says:
      August 8, 2020 at 6:39 AM

      Oh such a great experience for the kids! Way to let the reins lose, Grandma! They are learning, & don’t even realize it.

      Reply
  10. Terrie Stevens says:
    August 8, 2020 at 4:24 AM

    These are great pictures and the boys look awesome. Great memories being made and thank you for sharing history along with the gorgeous views

    Reply
  11. Stephen Tuck says:
    August 8, 2020 at 3:30 AM

    What wonderful memories to be making! When they get as little older, introduce them to “F Troop” That series never got old!

    Reply

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Carol, Wyoming rancher

Since 2008, I’ve kept this photographic journal of life on our working Wyoming ranch.  I share ranch work, my family, crafts and DIY, my English Shepherds, Bravo and Indy, and a love for this land.  Enjoy this red dirt country!

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