SCLT to Feature The Historic Bozeman Trail

On Tuesday, March 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at The Hub on Smith and again on March 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the TRVCC in Dayton, the Sheridan Community Land Trust Explore History program will be “The Historic Bozeman Trail.”

The Bozeman Trail was established in 1863 as a 535-mile “shortcut” from the Oregon Trail on the North Platte River in Wyoming to the gold fields near Virginia City, Montana Territory. Increased civilian use prompted a campaign by Indian tribes against the incursion. In response the U.S. military established Forts Reno and Phil Kearny in Wyoming and C. F. Smith in Montana to protect travelers. Conflict escalated, resulting in what is commonly called “Red Cloud’s War” with numerous skirmishes and three major battles including the Fetterman battle in 1866 and the Wagon Box and Hayfield fights in 1867.

Dave McKee, Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association, will review the history of the Bozeman Trail between 1863 and 1868, highlighting prominent participants such as John Bozeman, Colonel Henry Carrington, Lieutenant William Judd Fetterman, Margaret Carrington, Francis Grummond Carrington, and John “Portugee” Philips, as well as American Indian leaders including Red Cloud, High Backbone, American Horse, and Crazy Horse.

SCLT Explore History programs are free to attend and open to all. For more information, visit https://sheridanclt.org/events.