Red Cloud’s War

Since first visiting Wyoming’s Fort Phil Kearny in 1986, John D. McDermott has researched the 1866-68 Bozeman Trail.

Three forts on this route fueled battles inspired by Oglala Sioux leader Red Cloud that include the famous Fetterman, Wagon Box and Hayfield fights. Even Grace Raymond Hebard and E.A. Brininstool’s two-volume The Bozeman Trail only deals with part of the story; McDermott’s discovery of the administrative records of the forts has allowed him to paint a more complete military picture in these two volumes.