Fort Laramie in Goshen County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The Greatest Ride in History

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2014

1. The Greatest Ride in History Marker

Inscription. In memory of the Thoroughbred horse
ridden by
John “Portugee” Phillips from Fort Phil Kearny Wyoming to Fort Laramie Wyoming December 24, and 25, 1866, when he's sought aid for the garrison at Fort Phil Kearny, which was surrounded by Indians, after the battle with Lieutenant Colonel William F. Fetterman resulting in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Fetterman and 80 men. The horse died from exhaustion soon after arriving at Fort Laramie, having gone 236 miles in two days, through a blizzard with the temperature below zero.

Erected 1951 by Historical Landmarks Commission of Wyoming.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is December 24, 1841.

Location. 42° 12.55′ N, 104° 33.713′ W. Marker is in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in Goshen County. It is on State Highway 160 near County Route 52, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Laramie WY 82212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Laramie Basin and in the Westward Expansion

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Trails Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Father’s Grief … A Soldier’s Honor (approx. ¼ mile away); The Rustic Hotel “ . . . No Second-Rate Affair” (approx. 0.3 miles away); ‘Where’s the Wall?’ (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Rustic Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Noncommissioned Officers’ Quarters (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Cavalry Stables (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sawmill (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Post Hospital (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Laramie.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2014

2. The Greatest Ride in History Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2014

3. The Greatest Ride in History Marker

John “Portugee” Phillips image. Click for full size.

4. John “Portugee” Phillips

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,413 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 19, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.