FORT LARAMIE
INDIAN TERRITORY
FROM A MAP BY LIEUT. A. J. DOWLSON
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
1851 APRIL 1954 NM-LAR-7003
OFFICERS’ QUARTERS (OLD BEDLAM) POWDER MAGAZINE SUTLER’S STORE BAKERY FORT JOHN (OLD ADOBE FORT) 123′ × 168′ SOLDIERS’ QUARTERS 31′ × 75′ STABLE FOR 80 HORSES 200′ QUARTER MASTER (TEMPORARY QUARTERS) QUARTER MASTER’S MEN (TEMPORARY HEADQUARTERS) WORK SHOPS SMITH’S SHOP STORE ROOMS SAW MILL LARAMIE RIVER PRESENT CHANNEL
Beginning in 1850, many of the emigrants on the north bank, or Mormon Trail, stopped crossing to the south bank trail at Fort Laramie and followed a rough, but shorter, route westward along the north side of the river. Those who did not cross with their wagons, however, still found the old ferry across the North Platte a welcome means of visiting the fort for mail and supplies. In 1853, this ferry figured in the first serious Indian trouble near the fort.
The Sioux were becoming alarmed by the great numbers of whites using the Oregon Trail, with resulting destruction of game, and the ravages of new diseases among the tribes. On June 15, a group of Sioux seized the ferry boat, and one of them fired on Sergeant Raymond, who recaptured it. Lt. H. B. Fleming and 23 men were dispatched to the Indian village to arrest the offender. The Indians refused to give up the culprit and fired on the soldiers. In the resulting skirmish, 3 Indians were killed, 3 wounded, and 2 taken prisoner. The Miniconjou Sioux were incensed by this action, but after a full explanation by Capt. R. Garnett, commander of the fort, they accepted their annuities from the Indian agent and no further hostilities resulted that year.
In spite of this incident and considerable begging and thievery by Indians, the emigrants had been in little real danger of Indian attack. All this was changed by an unfortunate occurrence late in the summer of 1854.
Fort Laramie in 1853. From a sketch by Frederick Piercy.
The Grattan and Harney Massacres, 1854-55
Until August 18, summer emigration in 1854 appears to have been unaffected by trouble with the Indians. On that day a Mormon caravan passed a village of Brule Sioux 8 miles east of Fort Laramie, and a cow ran into the village where it was appropriated by a visiting Miniconjou brave. This matter was reported at the fort by both the Mormons and the chief of the Brules. Lt. John Grattan, Sixth Infantry, with 29 soldiers, 2 cannon, and an interpreter, was dispatched to the village to arrest the offending Indian. Unfortunately, the interpreter was drunk and the young officer was arrogant. The Indian offender refused to give himself up and a fight was precipitated in the Indian village, resulting in the annihilation of the military party.