Scenes of Gettysburg

Culps Hill

Little Round Top.

The Union line where it received Pickett's Charge.

The pathway of Pickett's Charge as viewed from the Confederate lines.

John "Portugee" Phillips Monument

John "Portugee" Phillips was an Azores born civilian who found himself working out of Ft. Phil Kearny at the time of the disastrous Fetterman fight. After the battle, Phillips, together with another civilian, rode over 200 miles to bring the news of the disaster to the Army. Phillips rode slightly further, and therefore is remembered, than his compatriot.

Phillips remained in Wyoming, married, and became a rancher. He's buried in Cheyenne. This memorial to his long ride is located just outside of the grounds of Ft. Phil Kearny in what is effectively a ranch yard. Indeed, my photographs of the monument are not closer, as two ranch dogs from the adjacent ranch were self employed in guarding it, and discretion proved the better part of valor. Besides, it's refreshing to see two such dedicated employees as they, and I honored their objections as to my dismounting from my vehicle.

The Fetterman Battleground, Wyoming

This is one of the very first state monuments in Wyoming and, for a monument of its type, it is the first. It was actually a private project originally, by a group of "interested citizens". The monument commemorates the December 21, 1866 Fetterman battle, in which Fetterman's command was completely eliminated at the hands of the Cheyenne and Sioux. You can read more about the battle, and see more photographs here.

Typical for monuments of its age, this monument notes only the European American causalities, and does not address at all the Indian casualties. The state park, however, covering only a portion of the battleground, does an excellent job fully interpreting the battle.

Society of the Military Horse • View topic - A soggy view of the Tongue River Battlefield

Society of the Military Horse • View topic - A soggy view of the Tongue River Battlefield

Probably quite a few of you are familiar with the 1865 Battle of Tongue River in Northern Wyoming (the Connor Battle), inwhich Gen. Patrick Connor's troops attacked the Arapaho on the TongueRiver. The battle was not a military success, as Connor was initiallyable to drive the Arapaho band back and take the village, but was soonrepulsed. He was not overrun as he had howitzers that he was able touse to keep the counterattacking Arapaho back. The Arapaho band was actually not at war with the US, but Connor was not aware that he was attacking a peaceful band.

Anyhow, I was up in that country today and had some late day spare time. Having never seen the battleground, I drove over to it. I found that it is quite near the Interstate Highway, and could easily have viewed it.

I have to say, it was a bit of a disappointment as the State has built a campground and park right in the battlefield, and the battlefield is basically in the town of Ranchester, a very small village north of Sheridan.

As it happened, the Tongue River is flooding, so the view I received wasn't even remotely similar to that which Connor's troops viewed in August 1856, nor is it at all the conditions in which the Arapahos had camped. None the less, I have to say that it's a surprising battlefield, being in a flat river valley as it is.

Of course, for that matter, so is Little Big Horn. . . some 80 or so miles north of this battlefield.