Frontier posts in the American West were usually garrisoned mainly by infantry, with only a few cavalry used for support, reconnaissance, escort, or mail delivery, and Fort Phil Kearny followed that pattern. Not until November 2, 1866, were any cavalry stationed there. After being placed at first in various quarters, they were finally housed in a large new one hundred by twenty-five foot log-panel barracks with a shingle roof, near a two hundred fifty by thirty-two foot board-and-batten stable with a corral, saddler’s shop, and blacksmith. Company C of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment was assigned to the fort and arrived armed with single-shot Starr carbines on poorly conditioned mounts. Colonel Carrington replaced their weapons with the band’s Spencer carbines, but little could be done for the mounts. Few cavalry were ever at the fort, and those present were constantly requisitioned for mail, escort, or other duties by military inspectors traveling the trail. On December 21, 1866, most of the troops then available were killed in the Fetterman Fight, leaving their quarters sorrowfully near empty.