The US Army’s role in protecting the Oregon Trail is best described by the soldiers (3/3) -- OT Ruts State Historic Site nr Guernsey WY
N 42° 15.363 W 104° 44.908
13T E 520747 N 4678236
A series of six brown historical markers next to each other along the trail from the parking lot to the trail ruts -- this is 6th of 6, and third of a set of three markers on the same subject.
Waymark Code: WMK1XR
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 01/31/2014
Views: 2
This sixth of six historical markers is located along the very short trail from the parking lot to the trail ruts at the OT Ruts State Historic Site near Guernsey WY. It was placed by the US Army to reproduce period letters and writings by US Army soldiers stationed at the Forts, Camps, and Stations along the Oregon Trail. This is the first of the three markers in this subset.
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The marker reads as follows:
THE US ARMY’S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE OREGON TRAIL IS BEST DESCRIBED BY THE SOLDIERS. (3/3)
“It was a race of life. Nehring, a private of Company K, 11th Kansas, not understanding the order, dismounted to fight from a deep washout in the road. Cpl. Grimm, looking around, yelled to him in German “to the bridge.” That was the last that was seen of poor Nehring. Camp, lost his horse and then ran for dear life, but within a few rods of safety, was overtaken and tomahawked. Sgt. Hankhammer’s horse was wounded, but carried him safely to the bridge, and then dropped. It was a miracle that any man escaped.” Pvt. Stephen H. Fairfield, Company K, 11th Kansas Volunteer Vavalry, July 26, 1865, Platte Bridge Battle.
“No sir, we don't stop here. We are going into Platte Bridge in spite of all the Redskins this side of hell. … I don't care a damn. You Ohio fellows, decked out in buckskin and fringe think you know too much about this Injun business. We have been South, where fighting is done, and we know how to do it. … You fellows are skeered. We will go on, and if you want to be safe, go on with us. We will cut our way through, or go to hell a-trying. Forward men!” Commissary Sgt. Amos J custard, Company H, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry July 26, 1865, Sgt. Custard Army Supply Train Fight.
“Long trains of wagons were winding their way over the plains, the mysterious telegraph wires were stretching across their hunting grounds to the mountains, engineers were surveying a route for a track for the iron horse, and all without saying as much as ‘by your leave’ to the Indians. Knowing that their game would soon be gone, that their hunting grounds taken from them, and that they themselves would soon be without a country, they had resorted to arms to defend their way of life and themselves.” Sgt. Stephen H. Fairfield, Company K, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, reflecting on the Indian war of 1865, 1903. [end of 3rd of 3 markers]