Chapter 7

While Custer and Benteen languish at Fort Riley, Captain William Fetterman leads a contingent out of Fort Phil Kearny, a post built to protect the main road to the Montana gold fields, to respond to an Indian attack on a wood train out of the fort. Disobeying orders to confine himself to rescuing the wood train, Fetterman charges up Lodge Trail Ridge following taunting Indians. As he comes down the other side of the ridge, Sioux and Cheyenne spring a trap. Fetterman and all his men are wiped out and horribly mutilated. In response, General Sherman sends General Hancock after the southern Cheyenne (who were not involved in the attack on Fetterman.) Hancock meets Custer and lays out his plans.