The Combatants: Soldiers

The Combatants: Soldiers. . , The average age of an enlisted man in the United States Army was twenty-three years old. Although Fetterman’s command included veterans of the Civil War, many of the men were inexperienced in Indian warfare and had limited training with their weapons. The soldiers were also unfamiliar with the western terrain, where the clear air often visually distorts the depth and distance of valleys and ridges. , Cavalry and Infantry Men. Captain William Judd Fetterman . . . was a 31 year old Brevet Lieutenant Colonel with Civil War Combat experience. In a letter he commented that “the Indians annoy us.” He probably disobeyed Colonel Carrington’s orders when he crossed over Lodge Trail Ridge. His body was found near the monument., Lieutenant George W. Grummond . . . was a 32 year old leader of Company C, 2nd U.S. Cavalry. During the Civil War he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While he narrowly escaped death on December 6, 1866, he died on December 21, covering the retreat of his comrades., Captain Frederick Brown . . . was the Post Quartermaster, and was not assigned to Fetterman’s command. He went along for one more chance at fighting Indians before leaving on assignment the next day. He rode Calico, a horse borrowed from Carrington’s son, and his body was found with Fetterman.