Banner in Sheridan County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
At the Break of Dawn
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 23, 2015
1. At the Break of Dawn . . . Marker
This is one in a series of markers that tell the story of the Fetterman Fight of December 21, 1866.
you and fellow warriors prepare for battle. You wear your fines dress which includes your war shirt. The war pony you selected is painted and readied for battle as well. All of this preparation will give you spiritual strength and protection in the upcoming battle. You gather your weapons; bow, arrows, lance, war club, knife and war shield.
Upon arriving at Lodge Trail Ridge, the mounted Sioux hide in draws east of the soldiers road. The Cheyenne, Arapaho and Sioux warriors, mounted and dismounted, hide in the brush along Peno Creek.
Two men are selected from each tribe to act as decoys. It is a great honor for these ten warriors; they leave for the battle to attack and lure the soldiers into the ambush.
Members of the warrior societies caution you to remain hidden, keep your horse quiet and await the signal. The soldiers come as predicted; the decoys criss-cross as a Cheyenne war leader signals the attack.
You break from cover.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian.
Location. 44° 34.833′ N, 106° 50.523′ W. Marker is in Banner, Wyoming, in Sheridan County. It can be reached from Piney Creek Road
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Corporal Adolph Metzger . . . (within shouting distance of this marker); As a Plains Indian (within shouting distance of this marker); You Pursue . . . (within shouting distance of this marker); Big Nose (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); As the Attack Continues (about 600 feet away); In the End . . . (approx. 0.2 miles away); As a Cavalryman (approx. 0.2 miles away); During Your Advance (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Banner.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. See all of the markers on the Fetterman Fight Interpretive Trail.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 23, 2015
2. At the Break of Dawn . . . Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 23, 2015
3. Marker on the Fetterman Battlefield
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 524 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
