Fetterman's Massacre

Killing of a detachment of 80 US Army cavalry by American Indian Oglala Sioux on 21 December 1866 during Red Cloud's War of 1865-68, a campaign of the Plains Wars. The troops, led by Lt-Col William Fetterman, were attempting to recover a supply train for the besieged Fort Phil Kearney on the Bozeman Trail, a route across Wyoming and Montana. Fetterman and his company disobeyed orders not to engage the Sioux and were lured into a trap where they were massacred by 2,000 warriors.

Red Cloud had laid siege to the US cavalry in the fort for many months, and by the winter of 1866 the soldiers were extremely low on provisions. A wagon train carrying supplies of timber was sent to relieve the post but it was unable to get through and sent for help. Fetterman was given 80 cavalry and ordered to retrieve the supply train. Although he was told not to go beyond Lodge Trail Ridge and not to fight the Sioux, he and his company were taunted by Red Cloud and the Sioux warriors, and drawn into a trap. Fetterman ignored his orders and crossed the Lodge Trail Ridge in pursuit of the Sioux. The cavalry was attacked by 2,000 Sioux warriors and all were killed.

All the bodies were mutilated except for that of a bugler. Sioux warriors later explained that the young soldier had carried on fighting using his bugle to beat off the Sioux warriors, while the older men around him gave up and begged for mercy. The Sioux covered the young soldier in a buffalo hide to signify their respect for his bravery.