History on Fire EPISODE 8 Crazy Horse (Part 2)
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May 23, 2016 The podcast dives into the chaotic aftermath of the Sand Creek Massacre, spotlighting the alliances and leadership of the Lakota and Cheyenne tribes. It examines Crazy Horse's tactical brilliance and the challenges U.S. forces faced in tracking Indigenous warriors. A chilling tale reveals the grim fate of a naïve photographer on the frontier. The intense conflicts at Fort Phil Kearney showcase the brutal realities of warfare, while reflections on defeat highlight shifting military strategies and the complex dynamics of Native American resistance.
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Guerrilla Raids Made The Bozeman Trail Impassable
- Persistent raids cut civilian traffic on the Bozeman Trail and forced stringent escort rules, e.g., Carrington's 30 then 40 armed‑men minimum for trains.
- Guerrilla harassment (livestock theft, ambushes) made the route functionally unusable.
Fetterman's Arrival Raised Confidence At The Fort
- Reinforcements brought Captain William Fetterman, a Civil War veteran confident in regulars' superiority.
- Fetterman's swagger and appetite for combat set the stage for the fatal December engagements.
Discipline Failures Turned Relief Into Ambush
- Carrington warned explicitly not to pursue beyond Lodge Trail Ridge, but poor discipline and eagerness fractured the relief column.
- Disobedience and split forces turned an ambush plan into a catastrophic overextension.