REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS-
FETTERMAN BATTLEFIELD METAL DETECTOR SURVEY
Dates: May 1-23, 2004
Location: 15 miles south of Sheridan, Wyoming
The American Battlefields Protection Program (ABPP) recently awarded the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association (FPK/BTA) a grant to complete a metal detector survey of Fetterman Battlefield in northeast Wyoming.
The 1866 battlefield, which is a National Historic Landmark, was the site of one of the worst military defeats suffered by the United States and its frontier army. The military contingent, comprised of 79 soldiers and two civilians, was killed by an estimated force of 300+ Sioux (Lakota), Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors along a two mile section of the Bozeman Trail north of Fort Phil Kearny.
Information on the Fetterman Battle and related sites is available at: http://www.philkearny.vcn.com
Since their were no survivors from the military command, most of what is known regarding the battle comes from a few Native American accounts of the engagement and artifacts recovered from the battlefield by military historians, local history enthusiasts, and ranchers. Native American accounts are few and sketchy owing to the fact that most were translated decades after the battle. A post-battle and battlefield map prepared by the commander of Fort Phil Kearny after his recovery of the soldiers' bodies, provide limited information on the military perspective. The project has several goals. These include:
1. Locate the initial, intermediate, and final stages of the battle.
2. Determine the full extent and location of cavalry and infantry positions using military firearms artifacts.
3. Determine the full extent and location of Native American warrior positions and their approach routes to the soldiers.
4. Provide the Wyoming State Historic Sites a detailed map of the Fetterman Battlefield, and a final report on the recovered artifacts for future battlefield management and planning.
Volunteers are requested to perform the survey. A professional archaeologist will excavate, map, catalog, and collect all items identified during the project. The project will take place in 3 sessions during May:
Session 1: May 1-7
Session 2: May 9-15
Session 3: May 17-23
Volunteers are required to commit to one full week but may participate in multiple sessions. Access to and experience with metal detectors is preferred BUT not required.
Fetterman Battlefield is located approximately 15 miles between Sheridan and Buffalo, Wyoming. Free camping is available at the Fort Phil Kearny Visitor's Center (5 miles south of the battlefield), however the site offers no amenities (i.e. sewer, water, electricity, etc.).
The following links provide a detailed list of food and accommodations available in Sheridan and Buffalo:
http://www.sheridanwyoming.org
http://www.buffalowyoming.org
If interested in participating in this project, please email, fax or mail a letter with the following information:
1. Session(s) requested.
2. Do you have access to a metal detector? If so, please provide manufacture and model.
3. Contact phone number, email address, and mailing address.
Please send the letter no later than April 20 to:
Kevin O'Dell
Principal Investigator
ACR Consultants, Inc.
806 Avoca, Suite 2
Sheridan, Wyoming 82801
phone: 307-673-5966
fax: 307-672-8480
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