Unique display of relics and artifacts recovered in the 1980s from the battlefield of the Wagon Box Fight, an engagement which occurred on August 2, 1867, in the vicinity of Fort Phil Kearny, Wyoming Territory, during Red Cloud's War. The artifacts include a variety of items—cartridges, lead bullets, rivets, a military tunic button, Native American ornaments, jar lids, a saddle cinch, and similar materials—mounted around an official Department of the Army print entitled 'Good Marksmanship And Guts!,' featuring an illustration of the engagement. Framed to an overall size of 28.5 x 24.75. In overall very good to fine condition. Includes a descriptive packet with an accompanying photograph and artifact key.
The Wagon Box Fight took place on August 2, 1867, near Fort Phil Kearny in Wyoming Territory, when a small group of U.S. soldiers and civilians, using wagon boxes as makeshift fortifications, repelled a much larger force of Lakota Sioux warriors. Armed with new breech-loading Springfield rifles, the defenders held out for hours despite being heavily outnumbered. The encounter demonstrated the growing effectiveness of advanced firearms and marked a turning point in U.S. military engagements during the Indian Wars.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
