| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bhist |
Posted - July 10 2004 : 5:13:12 PM
For those of you that have never had the chance to visit the Fetterman Battlefield near Buffalo, WY then you might want to visit the recent additions to the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield's website.
The Friends reburied the Fetterman soldier, found on Last Stand Hill at the Little Bighorn in 2003, this past June 25, 2004. Prior to that service, I added a section about the Fetterman Battle written by Bill Price.
To take the photo tour -- http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/Fetterman-Battle-Photos.htm
To read Bill Prices' short on the battle -- http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/Fetterman-Battle.htm
To view photos of the reburial -- http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/Members.htm
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| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| frankboddn |
Posted - September 13 2004 : 01:33:03 AM
Bob, I might not have been clear. There is no development currently going on at the Fetterman Battlefield, but rather it is at the Wagon Box site. The Bozeman Trail/Ft. Phil Association is doing everything they can to get Chevron to see the light and donate a few parcels, such as from the fort to pilot hill. Congressmen are being appealed to, etc. Chevron is just being a pain in the butt. They won't even agree to sell it off in parcels, but want, like $23 million for all their land en masse. So Fetterman remains very much as it did at the time of the fight. Sure wish I could get to Wheatly-Fisher rocks, though. |
| bhist |
Posted - September 12 2004 : 3:57:50 PM
quote:
Originally posted by El Crab
Hmmm, perhaps when I go this August, I will go to the Fetterman Battlefield as well. Though I'd have to take another day off and stay at a motel an extra night, most likely.
Crab -- Did you make it to the battlefield last month? If so, how was your trip and your first visit there? |
| bhist |
Posted - September 12 2004 : 3:50:33 PM
The news of development around the Fetterman Battlefield is distressing. The last time I was at the Wagon Box Fight site there was nothing there but a small marker standing low to the ground.
I think the Bozeman Trail Association is doing an outstanding job in their interpretive development of the historic sites.
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| frankboddn |
Posted - September 11 2004 : 01:39:28 AM
Bob, my first visit to the Wagon Box was in 1997. Since that time they've added additional signage explaining the battle. There's also the typical posts with the pipes to view where things are located in the distance. To the northeast of the monument there there is one wagonbox and a roped off area in the shape of the oval. Sorry if this is redundant if you've seen pictures of it already. But if you're standing in the parking lot and look east, you can see the knoll where Red Cloud observed the fight, but it's surrounded by homes, and that's what's so sickening. Also, the Sullivant Hills north of the fort is being parceled out into five acre parcels and homes being built, dotting the Sullivant Hills, again spoiling the authenticity of the site. I might've mentioned that Chevron is offering for sale their entire property as a whole for something like 23 million and won't parcel it off so the association can buy off the most important parts. I'd hate to see the area from the fort south to the cemetery and up Pilot Hill dotted with homes or whatever else. That'd be like seeing homes around LSH. And, yeah, you've gotta try the Winchester Steakhouse. It's the greatest. |
| bhist |
Posted - September 11 2004 : 01:22:55 AM
Thanks Frank. The only time I eat in Buffalo is while on the road either coming or going to LBH. Next time I have a rare overnighter in Buffalo I'll definitely check out your restaurant suggestions.
I head up to LBH on Sunday. We're doing a one-week archeological survey along the road. I will be posting photos along with an update from Douglas Scott (prior to his final report) on my website at -- http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/Archeology-survey-2004.htm --
It's probably been 15 plus years since I was at the Wagon Box Fight location. I wasn't aware of a lot of homes going up in that area. That is not good!
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| frankboddn |
Posted - September 09 2004 : 6:10:51 PM
Bob, great pictures. I'd like to add that anytime anyone is in Buffalo, your visit is not complete without a visit to the Gatchell Museum. It gets better and better each year. Speaking of Adoloph Metzger, what is said to be his bugle is located in the museum. I don't know how they authenticated it, but it is there and your imagination can run away as you look at it. There's also other artifacts from both the Fetterman and Custer battles, including carbines, cartridges, and even an arrowhead allegedly taken from one of the Fetterman battle soldiers. And I totally agree with you that one of the best things about visiting Fetterman is the lack of tourists and near total access to the field. The signs, if accurate, are really great and give you an excellent idea of what happened. One of these days I've gotta get to the Wheatly-Fisher rocks somehow. It's a damned shame also if Chevron develops their land upon which Pilot Hill and many other important sites surrounding the fort are located. It makes my blood boil every time I stand at the Wagon Box site and look to the east and see those frickin houses surrounding the knoll where REd Cloud and the spectators watched the battle. Otherwise, that field is also well preserved and marked. I don't mean to be blasphemous here, but LBH aside, I think nothing moves me more than walking the fields at Fetterman and the Wagon Box. Love it. Again, nice pictures.
Frank. |
| frankboddn |
Posted - September 09 2004 : 6:00:43 PM
 Bob, I'm sorry this posting is so late to be relevant to El Crab's possible visit to Buffalo, but I must respectfully disagree with you on good food is hard to find in Buffalo. You've obviously never dined at the Winchester Steakhouse located about half a mile east of town on highway 16. People come from as far away as Gillette to dine here, and it's outstanding. As good as you'll get. Also, at the historic Occidental Hotel there is a white-tableclothed restaurant for fine dining, and also an outside deck casual dining overlooking Clear Creek. Buffalo burgers, although not as tasty as a good greasy hamburger, as well as Mexican food, salads, sandwiches are great while having a beer overlooking Clear Creek. Not to mention The Crossing, which is their conference center where the Bozeman Trail/Ft. Phil Kearny Association occasionally has their yearly seminars is located. Great fine dining. And across from The Crossing is the Hoot & Owl, I think it is, which has great food. It's a sports bar and part of the Best Western. During your next trip down there, try the Winchester in particular and let us know what you think.
Frank Bodden
Carlsbad, Ca (but wish I was living in Buffalo) |
| bhist |
Posted - July 24 2004 : 5:12:46 PM
Hey Billy -- Great stuff on Fetterman. I'll add a link to that section of your website from my Fetterman section. |
| BJMarkland |
Posted - July 24 2004 : 5:00:32 PM
For those interested in the Bozeman trail era generally, and specifically the Fetterman fight, I have transcribed quite a bit of material and placed it on the web. The URL for my History index is:
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~familyinformation/
Also, all who are interested in the Northern Plains might find the various chapters of Maj. Raynold's journal detailing his exploration expedition to the headwaters of the Missouri & Yellowstone rivers interesting. This expedition was begun in 1859 and concluded in 1860. The final report was not made until 1867 due to the Civil War. Of special interest will be the map drawn by F.V. Hayden of the expedition's route. The link to that can be found at the beginning of each journal chapter.
Best of wishes,
Billy |
| bhist |
Posted - July 14 2004 : 02:31:39 AM
There are several motels in Buffalo that are relatively inexpensive. Good food is hard to find in that part of the country -- unless you like greasy food. But, in Buffalo there is a Subway and it continues to impress me -- it is the best Subway I've eaten at. There is a Pizza Hut, too.
However, Ft. Phil Kearny is about half way between Buffalo and Sheridan where you can find many more motels and a lot more greasy food!
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| El Crab |
Posted - July 14 2004 : 12:29:16 AM
Hmmm, perhaps when I go this August, I will go to the Fetterman Battlefield as well. Though I'd have to take another day off and stay at a motel an extra night, most likely. |
| bhist |
Posted - July 13 2004 : 3:30:33 PM
The most impressive part of my visits to the Fetterman Battlefield is the lack of crowds. Most of the time I was at Fetterman this past June 27, I was the only one there.
I've witnessed the many changes take place there. When I first started visiting in 1981, one could not venture beyond the Fetterman monument -- Fetterman Ridge was private land. Then, the state bought the battlefield (most of it -- you still can't get to the Wheatley / Fisher Rocks) and one could walk it without any interpretation.
Now, they have the interpretive signs you mentioned and I was impressed with them. The Ft. Phil Kearny Association has done an exceptional job in maintaining the fort and the battlefield.
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| Anonymous Poster8169 |
Posted - July 11 2004 : 11:47:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by bhist
For those of you that have never had the chance to visit the Fetterman Battlefield near Buffalo, WY then you might want to visit the recent additions to the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield's website.
The setup they have at the battlefield is really impressive. The interpretative markers are informative, you can walk along the ground and follow the course of the battle, see where everything happened. It's also delightfully unsanitized --- snakes everywhere. I prefer the layout there to what they have at Custer Field.
R. Larsen
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| joseph wiggs |
Posted - July 10 2004 : 9:45:15 PM
Thanks for the info. and your interesting web sites. |
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