Banner in Sheridan County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
The Discoveries
Upon hearing rifle volleys north of Lodge Trail Ridge, Col. Carrington sent Captain Tenodor Ten Eyck with a relief column of 75 men to assist Fetterman.
After the battle, Ten Eyck’s testimony described the discovery of a valley full of Indians in which Fetterman’s command was unseen. Advancing as the Indians withdrew, the Captain found 48-49 bodies near the present monument.
That night two civilians, John “Portugee” Phillips and Daniel Dixon, were sent to report the disaster and request reinforcements. Phillips rode 236 miles to Ft. Laramie in four days to summon help.
The next day, fearing additional Indian attacks, Col. Carrington left orders that the women and children were to be placed in the powder magazine, which would be blown up should an attack succeed. He then went to retrieve the rest of the bodies and found them at two locations near Cavalry Knob. On his report he described numerous blood spots around the Wheatley/Fisher position and multiple mutilations of many bodies, Fort Phil Kearny had lost one-fifth of its command.
The combination of eye witness accounts, archaeological data, military reports and Indian oral history have helped determine the location of three main military positions, skirmish lines and avenues of Indian attack. However, there is not a full understanding of the combatants’ movements during the fight, especially where the soldiers crossed Lodge Trail Ridge and the distance of the infantry advance.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian.
Location. 44° 34.668′ N, 106° 50.554′ W. Marker is in Banner, Wyoming, in Sheridan County. Marker can be reached from Piney Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Banner WY 82832, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. During Your Advance . . . (within shouting distance of this marker); As an Infantryman . . . (within shouting distance of this marker); In the End . . . (within shouting distance of this marker); As a Cavalryman . . . (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bozeman Trail 1863 – 1868 (about 400 feet away); As the Attack Continues… (about 400 feet away); Big Nose . . . (about 500 feet away); You Pursue . . . (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Banner.
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a battle map and Col. Carrington's map of the Fetterman Fight. The left of the marker features a portrait of Captain Tenodor Ten Eyck, and an 1899 sketch of the "Arrival of Portugee Phillips at Horse Shoe Station" by M.D. Houghton.
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.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.