Category:Fort C.F. Smith: Difference between revisions
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'''Fort C.F. Smith (1866-1868)''' - Established 12 Aug 1866 by two companies of the [[18th U.S. Infantry]] under the command of Bvt. Lt. [[N. C. Kinney]] to protect immigrants traveling the [[Bozeman Trail]] from attacks by the Sioux Indians. The fort was named for general [[C.F. Smith]], a union general killed in 1862.¹ | '''Fort C.F. Smith (1866-1868)''' - Established 12 Aug 1866 by two companies of the [[18th U.S. Infantry]] under the command of Bvt. Lt. [[N. C. Kinney]] to protect immigrants traveling the [[:Category:Bozeman Trail|Bozeman Trail]] from attacks by the Sioux Indians. The fort was named for general [[C.F. Smith]], a union general killed in 1862.¹ | ||
==Fort C.F. Smith History== | ==Fort C.F. Smith History== | ||
Three fort were established along the central stretch of the [[Bozeman Trail]] to guard about 700 miles of the trail. Fort C.F. Smith was one of the most remote of these forts and came under frequent attack. In the severe Montana winters the fort was cut off for months at a time. | Three fort were established along the central stretch of the [[:Category:Bozeman Trail|Bozeman Trail]] to guard about 700 miles of the trail. Fort C.F. Smith was one of the most remote of these forts and came under frequent attack. In the severe Montana winters the fort was cut off for months at a time. | ||
The fort itself was about 125 yards square, two sides being built of bluff adobe and the other two of logs. It was located on the east side of the river and about 500 yards from its bank. The [[Bozeman Trail]] crossed the Bighorn River 400 yards from the fort. | The fort itself was about 125 yards square, two sides being built of bluff adobe and the other two of logs. It was located on the east side of the river and about 500 yards from its bank. The [[:Category:Bozeman Trail|Bozeman Trail]] crossed the Bighorn River 400 yards from the fort. | ||
On 21 Dec 1866 Capt. [[W. J. Fetterman]], while going to the relief of a wood train near [[:Category:Fort Phil Kearny|Fort Phil Kearny]], was himself cut off and his entire force of 81 men and officers slaughtered. After the Fetterman Masacare more troops were sent to Fort Smith under the command of Gen. [[John E. Smith]] and the fort was strengthened. | On 21 Dec 1866 Capt. [[W. J. Fetterman]], while going to the relief of a wood train near [[:Category:Fort Phil Kearny|Fort Phil Kearny]], was himself cut off and his entire force of 81 men and officers slaughtered. After the Fetterman Masacare more troops were sent to Fort Smith under the command of Gen. [[John E. Smith]] and the fort was strengthened. | ||
Chief [[Red Cloud]] redoubled his efforts in the spring of 1867 against the three forts and travel on the [[Bozeman Trail]] was all but cut off. For over a year the southern forts had scarcely any communication from Fort Smith except from one band of Crows that reported all was well. | Chief [[Red Cloud]] redoubled his efforts in the spring of 1867 against the three forts and travel on the [[:Category:Bozeman Trail|Bozeman Trail]] was all but cut off. For over a year the southern forts had scarcely any communication from Fort Smith except from one band of Crows that reported all was well. | ||
As a result of the military reversals and increasing pressure from the Indians under [[Red Cloud]] the U.S. Government capitulated and negotiated the 1868 Treaty of [[:Category:Fort Laramie|Fort Laramie]], which resulted in the abandonment of three forts ([[:Category:Forts Reno|Forts Reno]], [[:Category:Fort Phil Kearny|Fort Phil Kearny]], and [[:Category:Fort C.F. Smith|Fort C.F. Smith]]) and the | As a result of the military reversals and increasing pressure from the Indians under [[Red Cloud]] the U.S. Government capitulated and negotiated the 1868 Treaty of [[:Category:Fort Laramie|Fort Laramie]], which resulted in the abandonment of three forts ([[:Category:Forts Reno|Forts Reno]], [[:Category:Fort Phil Kearny|Fort Phil Kearny]], and [[:Category:Fort C.F. Smith|Fort C.F. Smith]]) and the cessation of travel on the [[:Category:Bozeman Trail|Bozeman Trail]]. The Sioux destroyed the three forts immediately after the troops had left the country. | ||
The fort was abandoned | The fort was abandoned | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 16 January 2007
Fort C.F. Smith (1866-1868) - Established 12 Aug 1866 by two companies of the 18th U.S. Infantry under the command of Bvt. Lt. N. C. Kinney to protect immigrants traveling the Bozeman Trail from attacks by the Sioux Indians. The fort was named for general C.F. Smith, a union general killed in 1862.¹
Fort C.F. Smith History
Three fort were established along the central stretch of the Bozeman Trail to guard about 700 miles of the trail. Fort C.F. Smith was one of the most remote of these forts and came under frequent attack. In the severe Montana winters the fort was cut off for months at a time.
The fort itself was about 125 yards square, two sides being built of bluff adobe and the other two of logs. It was located on the east side of the river and about 500 yards from its bank. The Bozeman Trail crossed the Bighorn River 400 yards from the fort.
On 21 Dec 1866 Capt. W. J. Fetterman, while going to the relief of a wood train near Fort Phil Kearny, was himself cut off and his entire force of 81 men and officers slaughtered. After the Fetterman Masacare more troops were sent to Fort Smith under the command of Gen. John E. Smith and the fort was strengthened.
Chief Red Cloud redoubled his efforts in the spring of 1867 against the three forts and travel on the Bozeman Trail was all but cut off. For over a year the southern forts had scarcely any communication from Fort Smith except from one band of Crows that reported all was well.
As a result of the military reversals and increasing pressure from the Indians under Red Cloud the U.S. Government capitulated and negotiated the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which resulted in the abandonment of three forts (Forts Reno, Fort Phil Kearny, and Fort C.F. Smith) and the cessation of travel on the Bozeman Trail. The Sioux destroyed the three forts immediately after the troops had left the country.
The fort was abandoned
Current Status
The site is on private land and visitors may see it by making prior arrangements at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center. (Located at the dam, the visitor center is operated by the National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation. It is open in the summer.)
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Location: Located near the present town of Fort Smith, in south-central Montana, 42 miles south of Hardin on Highway 313. The site is on private land and visitors may see it by making prior arrangements at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center. Maps & Images Lat: 45.314555 Long: -107.908616 |
Links:
Sources:
Visited:
Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN: 0-87108-568-2
- Field, Ron, Forts of the American Frontier 1820-91: Central and Northern Plains, Osprey Publishing, Elms Court, Chapel Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 9LP, United Kingdom, 2005, ISBN: 1 84176 775 1
Pages in category "Fort C.F. Smith"
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