Forts, Stations, and Camps

Along Wyoming’s Platte River section of the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails, four forts, numerous stations, and camps served military and communication needs during the mid-1800s. Fort Laramie was established in 1849 to protect emigrants traveling west and was abandoned on March 2, 1890. Fort Clay was established in October 1855 and predesignated Camp Davis in February 1856. Fort Bridger was purchased in 1858 and closed on November 6, 1890. Fort Casper was originally established in May 1862 as Platte Bridge Station, was designated a fort on November 21, 1856, and was officially abandoned on October 19, 1867. Most military camps and stations stood near Pacific Telegraph stations by rivers, creeks, and springs. Soldiers at those posts protected emigrants, delivered mail, and protected and repaired the telegraph line. All stations were constructed by the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Regiment from 1862 to 1864. Buildings were made of logs or sod with dirt or wood floors, all stations had enclosed corrals, and tents were also used for housing. Camp Marshall, with wood buildings just east of La Bonte Creek Station, was established by E Company, 2nd Battalion, in 1864, named after Capt. Levi G. Marshall, and officially abandoned in the spring of 1866. Camp Dodge was established in April 1865 by the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment four miles east of Platte Bridge Station on present-day Garden Creek at Casper, Wyoming, consisted of tents, and was abandoned in June 1865. All of the stations were abandoned in the fall of 1866 when the last battalion of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment were finally mustered out of service. Fort Clay, later named Camp Davis, was established to protect Richard’s Bridge and was officially abandoned in November 1856, with no more than 53 soldiers assigned there at its peak. The post at Platte Bridge, also called Camp Payne, was established at the Camp Davis site to maintain communication for the Army’s 1858 Utah Expedition and to protect emigrants using the trail, and Companies D and E of the 4th Artillery Regiment under Capt. Joseph Roberts and Capt. G.W. Getty were assigned there. The route included measured distances from Fort Laramie to Horseshoe Creek Station, Camp Marshall on La Bonte Creek, La Prele Creek Station, Deer Creek Station, Camp Davis at Evansville, Camp Dodge at Garden Creek near Casper, Platte Bridge Station at Casper, Sweetwater Station, Three Crossings of the Sweetwater Station, Saint Mary’s Station at Rocky Ridge, and South Pass Station, also called Burnt Station, totaling 267 miles.

Guernsey, Wyoming · United States