Fort Clay, Wyoming
Nestled in the heart of present-day Evansville, Wyoming, a suburb of modern Casper, lies a site steeped in the rich tapestry of American westward expansion: Fort Clay. Established in 1855, this military outpost, also known as Camp Davis, played a crucial role in safeguarding the vital Reshaw Bridge and the burgeoning traffic that traversed it. Its story is intertwined with the trails of emigrants seeking new lives in the West, the ambitions of traders, and the ever-present tensions between settlers and Native American tribes.
The narrative of Fort Clay begins long before its official establishment, with the ceaseless flow of pioneers along the California, Oregon, and Mormon Trails. For years, these intrepid travelers had sought passage across the formidable Platte River, often at perilous fords. One of the most frequented of these crossings was the Old Indian Ford, located just east of present-day Casper. This natural crossing point served as a crucial artery for westward movement, but its inherent dangers spurred the search for safer and more reliable alternatives.
In 1847, recognizing the growing need for a dependable river crossing, Brigham Young, the influential leader of the Mormon Church, commissioned a ferry service at the very location where Fort Caspar would later stand. This ferry, offering a swift five-minute journey across the Platte, was free for members of the church. However, it was also available to other immigrants for a fee. In 1849, as the California Gold Rush fueled an unprecedented surge in westward migration, the Mormons relocated their ferry a few miles east, adding a store to cater to the needs of the passing travelers. This strategic move solidified their presence and provided much-needed supplies to the thousands embarking on the arduous journey west.
Despite the convenience offered by the Mormon Ferry, not all travelers could afford its services. Those with limited resources continued to brave the dangers of the Old Indian Ford, which subsequently became known as the California Crossing. This situation created an opportunity for enterprising individuals seeking to capitalize on the westward movement.
The story of Fort Clay takes a pivotal turn in the fall of 1852 with the arrival of John Baptiste Richard, a shrewd French trader. Richard established a trading post several miles downriver from the California Crossing. He recognized the potential for a more permanent solution to the river crossing problem. In partnership with Joseph Bissonette, Seth Ward, William Guerrier, Charles Bordeaux, Louis Guinard, and William Kenceleur, Richard embarked on the ambitious project of constructing a bridge across the North Platte River. This bridge was the first successful bridge to span the North Platte River. Completed in 1853, the bridge quickly became a vital link for westward travelers.
The year of its opening saw peak traffic along the trails, with an estimated 50,000 emigrants utilizing the structure. Initially, the bridge was simply known as the Platte Bridge. However, due to John Richard’s pronounced French accent, travelers often misheard his name as "Reshaw." As a result, the bridge became widely recognized as Reshaw’s Bridge. Richard’s bridge effectively put the Mormon Ferry out of business, solidifying his position as a key player in the westward expansion narrative.
The increasing volume of traffic and the potential for conflict with Native American tribes prompted the U.S. Army to establish a presence in the area. In 1855, Fort Clay was erected as an outpost of Fort Laramie, strategically located near Richard’s trading post. Lieutenant Deschler, along with soldiers from the 6th Infantry, 10th Infantry, and 4th Artillery, were stationed at the fort in November 1855. Their primary mission was to protect the bridge from Indian attacks, ensuring the safe passage of emigrants and supplies.
By the following year, the military presence at Fort Clay had grown to a full company, comprising three officers and a bugler. In February 1856, the post was renamed Camp Davis in honor of Jefferson Davis, who was then President Franklin Pierce’s Secretary of War and later became the president of the Confederacy. However, despite its strategic importance, Camp Davis was abandoned in November 1856, leaving the Reshaw Bridge vulnerable once again.
Two years later, the army’s need to maintain a reliable supply route to troops engaged in the Mormon War led to the re-establishment of a military presence at the site. In July 1858, Captain Joseph Roberts of the 4th Artillery established Camp Payne. This post, however, proved to be short-lived, and it was closed in May 1859.
That same year, Richard’s former partner, Louis Guinard, initiated the construction of a newer and improved bridge at the site of the old Mormon Ferry crossing. Completed in the spring of 1860, Guinard’s bridge and the accompanying trading post became a vital stop on the Pony Express route and later served as a station for the Overland Mail Company. When the transcontinental telegraph line was extended through the area in 1861, it crossed the North Platte River on Guinard’s bridge, and his trading post incorporated a Pacific Telegraph Company Office.
At this point, Guinard’s Bridge became known as the Upper Platte Bridge, while Richard’s bridge was referred to as the Lower Platte Bridge. Despite facing increased competition, Richard diversified his business interests and continued to operate in the fur trade. However, the constant threat of Native American hostilities and the tragic loss of Louis Guinard’s son in an Indian attack prompted him to sell his bridge to Richard by 1864.
During the Civil War, U.S. troops occupied Guinard’s buildings for three years, transforming the site into Platte Bridge Station. The soldiers were tasked with protecting emigrants and the newly established telegraph lines from raids by Lakota and Cheyenne tribes.
By 1865, escalating Native American hostilities and legal disputes with the U.S. military led Richard to sell his post and bridges to the military. He and his family then relocated to Rock Creek on the new Overland Trail, which had become the primary route for transcontinental traffic.
Richard’s departure occurred just before the Battle of Platte Bridge on July 26, 1865, a fierce engagement between soldiers and Native American warriors. During the battle, the Reshaw Bridge was partially burned. Soon after, Fort Caspar was established at the site of Platte Bridge Station. The severe winter of 1866-1867 witnessed the dismantling of Richard’s Bridge and many nearby buildings by soldiers at the fort, who desperately needed firewood and building materials. Fort Caspar was abandoned in 1867, and almost immediately after the troops departed, Native Americans burned the remaining buildings and the remnants of the bridge.
Today, Reshaw’s Bridge has been reconstructed and stands as a testament to the region’s rich history at Reshaw Park in Evansville, Wyoming. This reconstruction serves as a tangible link to the past, allowing visitors to visualize the bustling scene of westward migration and the strategic importance of Fort Clay and the bridges that once spanned the North Platte River. The reconstructed Guinard’s Bridge is also visible at Fort Caspar.