The Fetterman Massacre took place near Fort Philip Kearny, Wyoming, on
December 21, 1866.  The fort was built in the Powder River area to protect
the Bozeman Trail to the Montana gold fields.  The Bozeman Trail was a
point of contention with the Sioux, as it led through their favorite 
hunting ground east of the Bighorn Mountains, and they waged a vigorous 
campaign against the U.S. Army.  A pack train bringing wood to the fort 
was attacked in December, and Captain William J. Fetterman and his men 
were call ed in to help.  He was specifically directed not to cross the 
Lodge Trail Ridge, but when he was a small detachment of mounted Sioux 
warriors led by Crazy Horse, he could not resist following them.  Once 
over the hill, the soldiers were ambushed by a larger Sioux party led by 
Chief High Backbone.  As many as two thousand warrior sprang out from the 
ravines of the slopes and surrounded the Americans.  The entire 
contingent was wiped out.