Wagon Box
Other Names:
Date of Battle: August 2, 1867
Location of Battle: Story, WY
GPS N: 44-33.474
W: 106-53.897
Participants: Capt. James W Powell with 24 soldiers and 6 civilian woodcutters were attack by about 1,000 Sioux warriors led by Red Cloud.
The group were attack while out cutting wood for the fort. They took refuge in a bunch of wagon boxes that were set out in the shape of a large oval. The men were equipped with new breech loading rifles and they repelled 8 charges during the day and the Indians finally retreated when help arrived from Fort Phil Kearny. About 30 Sioux and 7 from the woodcutting crew were killed.
For more information see:
Custer's Luck
Encyclopedia of Indian Wars
Indian Wars of the Great Plains
Indian Fights and Fighters
Indian Wars of the West
The Sioux Indian Wars
www.philkearny.vcn.com/wagonboxfight.htm
Return to Index Return to WY Fights