The Fetterman Massacre: A Swiss American Officer Leads his Men to Disaster

Authors

Albert Winkler

Keywords

SAHS Review, Fetterman Massacre, Swiss American officer

Abstract

Following the American Civil War, the United States fought a major war against the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Indians known as Red Cloud’s War, which lasted from 1866 to 1868. It was a costly American defeat and an important Indian victory. A prominent leader of the Native Americans was the great war chief, Red Cloud, who engineered much of their success. The conflict included many raids, skirmishes, and three important and bloody engagements including the Hayfield and the Wagon Box Battles in 1867, and the highly significant Fetterman Massacre in 1866 in which the Swiss American Captain, William J. Fetterman, of the U.S. Cavalry and his command of eighty men were annihilated.

Recommended Citation

Winkler, Albert (2024) "The Fetterman Massacre: A Swiss American Officer Leads his Men to Disaster," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 60: No. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol60/iss1/3