History: The Two Mrs. Carringtons

During the Indian Wars in Wyoming, many of the officers coming to man the western forts, brought their families along. The government, wanting the frontier settled with homes and families, often lied about the dangers that may await those venturing West. So it was with Fort Phil Kearny.

At a re-enactment of the fort’s history at a Full Moon Fort in October of 2023, Mrs. Grummond, wife of Lieutenant George Washington Grummond, talks about coming to the fort.

However, many did come West and lived at the frontier army posts despite the hardships. This history column is about two of the Margaret Carrington and Frances Grummond Carrington, both wives of General Henry B. Carrington.

His first wife, Margaret is credited for establishing the site Fort Phil Kearny.

Cheyenne Weekly Leader, July 29, 1876 – How Old Fort Kearney Was Located. (The old newspapers often spelled it with the ‘e’) Old Fort Phil Kearney was situated in a most exposed and defense less place, commanded by bluffs on every side. Indians could come within a couple of hundred yards of the stockade without being observed. A dozen better sites could have been selected in the immediate neighborhood.

The officers of the expedition explain the matter in this way: Col. Carrington commanded the 18th infantry. When he was sent out by the government to “prospect for a site,’ his wife, a lady of some will, accompanied him. From old Fort Casper, at Platte Bridge, they wandered on and on, northward, until they reached this point on the old Montana road. Carrington always carried a bugle, as he loved to sound the calls himself. One morning he arose from bivouac, as usual, and was going out of the tent, bugle in hand, when Mrs. Carrington said: “Henry, Henry, where are you going with that bugle?” “Why, Margaret, my dear,” he replied, “I am going to sound the call so that our march may be resumed.” “You may march all you please,” said she, “but not one foot further in this direction am I going. This is as good a place for your fort as any you can find.” “Henry” laid down the bugle. The march was not resumed, “Margaret” had her way, and so Fort Phil Kearney, of gory memory, came to be built.

When Capt. Grummond, of the dragoons, went to the rescue of Fetterman and got killed for his pains, Mrs. Grummond gave Carrington a terrible tongue thrashing, called him a poltroon and many other names. The Colonel had her, Mrs. Carrington, Mrs. Orton, and two other ladies—all that were in the fort—placed in the magazine, laid the train, and was ready to blow them and the whole concern up in case the Indians forced the stockade, which they were quite capable of doing had they attempted the feat. (this was often the case, the women preferred death to falling into Indian hands) It was a miracle that they did not, as Carrington had less than 90 men left. The Colonel is now on the retired list. His wife, Margaret, died a few years ago, and, strange to relate, the second Mrs. Carrington is no other than Mrs. Grummond, widow of the dragoon officer, on whose account she insulted her present husband so grossly.

Officers’ wives at the forts were often encouraged, in some cases required, to keep journals of their life at the forts, and they corresponded with friends and relatives back east, giving them an up-close look at life on the frontier. The two Mrs. Carrington’s later published their writings about their life at the fort.

The Sheridan Post, Friday, July 8, 1910- History Corrected Mrs. Carrington Writes Of Her Personal Experiences. Fort Phil Kearney Wife of General in Command Tells of The Massacre —The General’s Visit to Sheridan. Advance sheets of the narrative written by Mrs. Frances Carrington, wife of General H.M. Carrington, entitled,”My Army Life and the Fort Phil Kearney Massacre, With an account of the Celebration of Wyoming Opened,” has just been received by The Post, accompanied by the following letter from General Carrington: “Hyde Park Mass, “July2 Eve of 3d, 1910.

Editors of Sheridan Post and Enterprise: — On the eve of the second anniversary of my attending the Sheridan celebration of Wyoming Opened, as guest of the city, and still preserving the key which was presented, I send you, with Mrs. Carrington’s regards, an advance copy of her narrative, and, if I mistake not, her opinion of the Sheridan press will be Found to be about the same as her estimate of Wyoming generally. “I enclose also a letter just received from one of the best known historical writers and educators iin America, which you are requested to use with Freedom. “Dr. Mowry vindicated, as you must know, the claim of Whitman, and during the last few years hardly a city in the west has not listened to his educational lectures’, “Yours truly Henry Carrington, Brig. Gen USA

The letter mentioned by General Carrlngton from Dr William A. Mowry, an eminent historian and educator, and is as follows:

Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. June 29, 1910 – My Dear General Carrlngton: I finished reading “Army Life on the Plains” yesterday. I read the entire book, from page 1 to page 318 inside of three days. It is a remarkable book, for three reasons. “First — It tells the story of the terrible slaughter of more than eighty men by the Indians, not one escaping. There are few incidents in all history where so many were surrounded and Second, it tells the story of a unique celebration, ‘Wyoming Opened,’ a most remarkable celebration, with the survivors of the garrison of old Fort Phil Kearney present. Including the commander of the original expedition, in his 86th year. “Third —Both stories are told modestly, truthfully. In simple, pleasing language, in excellent taste, and all skillfully done.

“I am greatly pleased with the book. It gives an unusually interesting account of important events, it ought to have a large sale all over our country. ” I congratulate you and Mrs Carrington both: Mrs Carrington for telling a thrilling story in an entertaining way, and you, for having the truth put so forcibly in your memorial address – Sincerely yours. William Mowry

In Mrs. Carrington’s book a chapter is devoted to the production of an article published in The Sheridan postin July, 1908, which included a verbatimof General Carrlngton’s address at the memorial exercises in honor of the victims of the fort Phil Kearney massacre, which was held on July 3,1908, The article was headed History Corrected.

Mrs. Carrington also takes advantage of the opportunity to speak some very kindly words in regard to The Post.

The book is profusely illustrated. And is being published by Lippincott company. The illustration are divided under four general heads, as follows: Outward Bound, 1866; Our Frontier Home; Encircled by Savage Foes, 1866-67; Homeward Bound 1867; After Many Days .The Triumph of Peso, 1908.

To the people of Sheridan the book will be of especial interest, in that nearly all have visited the historic grounds where the massacre occurred, and not a few are personally acquainted with General and Mrs. Carrington.

This from the Tribune Stockman Farmer, November 21, 1911 – Death Of Mrs. Carrington. In the death of Mrs. Frances C. Carrington, wife of General Harry B. Carrington, of Hyde Pnrk, Massachusetts, the people of Wyoming are reminded of the early days in this country when Indian wars spread terror and desolation throughout the frontier country.

General Carrlngton, Sergeant Gibson, and Morris Barnes are the only soldiers survivor of the, Fort Phil Kearney massacre and Mrs. Carrington was one of the brave women who was in the fort at the time of the terrible struggle in the late sixties. Three years ago, at Sheridan a celebration was held in honor of the survivors of the Fetterman massacre and General and Mrs. Carrington were the guests of honor. The historic battlefield was inspected and the old fort visited. Mrs. Carrington wrote an interesting book in which she described the privations and terrors of the days when the whites were fighting to hold the Indians in check.

Mrs. Carrington went to Fort Phil Kearny as the wife of Lieutenant Grummod, who has been brevetted a brigadier general for bravery displayed during the Civil War. After the war he accepted a commission in the 18th Infantry and joined his regiment, which then was located at Fort Phil Kearney. Mrs. Grummond, accompanied her husband to the frontier.

When the news of the death of Lieutenant Grummond was brought to the garrison General Carrington called for volunteers to go and get the dead officer’s body, but Mrs. Grummond protested, declaring the men should not run the risk of losing their own lives, when the fate of the whole garrison might be at stake. Afterward the body of Lieutenant Grummond was recovered un-mutilated.

General Carrington’s first wife died in 1870. The friendship of the General and Mrs. Grummond resulted in their marriage, the trials and dangers through which they passed when in the far west binding them in a friendship that was admirable. The people identified with the early history of Wyoming are fast passing. The work they did will be remembered by a grateful people who are industriously engaged in developing a common wealth of peace in a territory once devastated by war.

Both the Mrs. Carrington’s later wrote books about their experiences on the frontier. Margaret Carrington wrote the classic, Absaraka, Land of the Crows, and Frances Grummon Carrington wrote My Army Life, (originally published as Army Life On The Plains). Both books continue to be reprinted today, over 100 years later.

One has to admire the courage and nerve of these and other women who followed their husbands west into the still largely unknown frontier.