Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming
The windswept plains of northeastern Wyoming whisper tales of conflict, courage, and the clash of cultures. Among these stories, one stands out for its sheer audacity and the improbable survival of a small band of U.S. soldiers and civilians: the Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming. This dramatic encounter, which unfolded on August 2, 1867, pitted a handful of men armed with modern rifles against a formidable force of Sioux warriors during the height of Red Cloud’s War. It remains a potent symbol of resilience and the changing dynamics of warfare on the American frontier.
The backdrop to the Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming, was Red Cloud’s War (1866-1868), a fierce struggle for control of the Powder River Country. This vast territory, encompassing parts of present-day Montana and Wyoming, was a crucial hunting ground for the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. The U.S. government, however, sought to secure the Bozeman Trail, a route that cut directly through the heart of this territory, providing access to the goldfields of Montana. The construction of forts along the trail, including Fort Phil Kearny, was a direct challenge to the tribes’ way of life and ignited the conflict.
Fort Phil Kearny, located near present-day Story, Wyoming, was a vital but isolated outpost in the Powder River Country. Its primary mission was to protect travelers along the Bozeman Trail and to exert U.S. authority over the region. Supplying the fort required a constant flow of resources, including timber for construction and fuel. To meet this demand, civilian woodcutting crews, escorted by U.S. soldiers, were dispatched to nearby timber stands.
On that fateful day in August, a woodcutting crew was camped near Little Piney Creek, approximately five miles northwest of Fort Phil Kearny. The group consisted of Captain James Powell, Lieutenant John C. Jenness, 26 enlisted men, and six civilian woodcutters. Their mission was to fell trees and prepare them for transport back to the fort. Little did they know that they were about to become the target of a massive coordinated attack.
Early on the morning of August 2nd, an overwhelming force of Sioux warriors, estimated to be between 800 and 2,000 strong, descended upon the woodcutting camp. The warriors were led by the renowned Chief Red Cloud and High Back Bone, prominent figures in the resistance against U.S. expansion. The sheer size of the attacking force threatened to overwhelm the small contingent of soldiers and civilians.
Many soldiers and civilians were caught off guard, scattered outside the immediate vicinity of the camp or en route to and from Fort Phil Kearny. Some managed to escape back to the fort to warn of the attack, while others were forced to fight desperate rearguard actions. The initial chaos and confusion were palpable, as the warriors surged forward with war cries and a determination to annihilate the intruders.
In the face of this imminent threat, Captain James Powell, a seasoned officer, quickly assessed the situation and issued orders to establish a defensive perimeter. He ordered the 14 wagons to be drawn into a tight circle, creating a makeshift corral that would offer some protection against the onslaught. This hasty fortification, constructed under intense pressure, would become the focal point of the desperate struggle for survival.
Inside the wagon box corral, Captain Powell, Lieutenant Jenness, the 26 enlisted men, and the six civilians prepared to make their stand. The wagons, though not specifically designed for combat, provided a degree of cover, while the gaps between them offered firing positions. The defenders understood that their survival depended on their ability to hold the line against a vastly superior enemy.
The Sioux attack began with a series of relentless charges, waves of warriors surging towards the wagon box circle. The warriors, mounted on horseback and armed with bows, arrows, spears, and some firearms, launched their attacks from multiple directions, seeking to exploit any weakness in the defensive line.
Captain Powell, recognizing the importance of controlled fire, ordered his men to hold their fire until the warriors were within close range. This tactic maximized the effectiveness of their weapons and minimized the risk of wasting ammunition. As the warriors approached, the soldiers unleashed a volley of accurate and devastating fire.
The key to the defenders’ success lay in their superior firepower. The soldiers were equipped with newly issued Springfield-Allin breech-loading rifles, a significant advancement over the older muzzle-loading weapons. These rifles allowed the soldiers to reload quickly and fire with greater accuracy, enabling them to deliver a sustained and deadly volume of fire. This advantage, acquired as a direct result of the Fetterman Massacre, was pivotal in repelling the Sioux charges. The Fetterman Massacre had highlighted the need for improved weaponry, and the Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming would serve as a testament to the effectiveness of the new rifles.
During one of the early attacks, Lieutenant Jenness, displaying a mixture of bravado and recklessness, remained standing in an exposed position, seemingly oblivious to the danger. Despite the pleas of his men to take cover, Jenness reportedly declared, "I know how to fight Indians." Tragically, his confidence proved misplaced. Within moments, a bullet struck him squarely in the forehead, killing him instantly. His death served as a grim reminder of the ferocity of the battle and the importance of vigilance.
Throughout the morning and into the early afternoon, the defenders repulsed wave after wave of Sioux attacks. The warriors charged with unwavering determination, but the accurate and relentless fire from the wagon box circle repeatedly forced them to retreat. The battle raged for hours, a desperate struggle between a small band of defenders and a seemingly endless horde of warriors.
As the battle wore on, the Sioux regrouped and prepared for a massive, all-out assault. However, unbeknownst to them, help was on the way. Survivors who had escaped the initial attack had reached Fort Phil Kearny and alerted the garrison. Major Benjamin Smith, leading a relief force of approximately 100 men and a howitzer, a type of cannon, raced to the scene.
The arrival of the relief force marked a turning point in the battle. The sound of the approaching howitzer sent a wave of fear through the Sioux ranks. When the cannon fired its first shot, the impact was devastating. The explosion scattered the warriors and disrupted their attack. The Sioux, realizing that their advantage had been lost, broke off the engagement and retreated.
The Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming had come to an end. The defenders had held their ground against overwhelming odds, achieving a remarkable victory. Three men inside the corral were killed, and two were wounded, while four more defenders were killed outside the enclosure.
Following the battle, approximately four woodcutters and 14 soldiers who had been hiding in the woods returned to the site. Captain Powell, in his initial report, estimated that his men had killed 60 Indians and wounded 120. However, later estimates suggested that the actual number of Sioux casualties was closer to half that figure. Regardless of the exact numbers, the Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming was a costly defeat for the Sioux.
The Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming is remembered as a testament to the courage and resilience of the U.S. soldiers and civilians who defended the wagon box corral. Their superior firepower, combined with their determination to hold their ground, allowed them to prevail against overwhelming odds. The battle also highlighted the changing dynamics of warfare on the American frontier, as technological advancements began to shift the balance of power.
Today, the site of the Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming, located near Story, Wyoming, is preserved as a state historic site. Visitors can walk the grounds, examine the landscape, and imagine the intensity of the battle that took place there over a century ago. The site serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of the American West, and the enduring legacy of the Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming.
For those interested in visiting the site, contact information is as follows:
Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
528 Wagon Box Road
Banner, Wyoming 82832
307-684-7629