The Fetterman Massacre

From the made-for-tv movie; Crazy Horse, we take a look at a version of Captain William Fetterman’s last fight during Red Cloud’s War. Where he took a combined force of Cavalry and Infantry to try and engage the Sioux and Cheyenne in the Powder River Country. This version, while not perfect, is more accurate than most versions, mostly due to the fact that it is a combined Infantry and Cavalry force, and not just Cavalry. “C” Company of the 2nd U.S Cavalry and combined Companies of the 18th Infantry left Fort Phil Kearny under Captain Fetterman’s command to relieve a woodcutting detail which was sent out earlier in the day. Fetterman was ordered to relieve the Wood Detail and return to the Fort, but for reasons still not understood, Fetterman took his combined force over Lodge Trail Ridge and would be wiped out to a man.