As I was thinking about what I wanted to blog about this month it occurred to me that three years ago today I received the cover for what would be my first published book, HOME FIRES. And almost 10 full-length books and numerous novellas later, the thrill of the first cover and first book published is still felt when I look back on August 2014.
So much influenced the story of Cord and Olivia from my studies of Civil War history and the American West during the years that followed, to my studies of the Montana Territory. In the past couple blogs, I've shared about Virginia City and Bannock, Montana, both playing a role in HOME FIRES and the sequel (coming in 2018). But today I wanted to share about Fort Ellis.
This fort played an important role in the development of Bozeman, Montana and in reuniting Cord Matthews and Olivia Bartlett.
Despite its location in the fruitful Gallatin Valley and the
labors of early settlers, the future of Bozeman, Montana was anything but
certain in its early years. The town’s dependence on the success of nearby
mining camps and attacks by local American Indian tribes left many to wonder if
the settlement, found in 1864, would thrive or die. With the establishment of Fort Ellis three
miles east of Bozeman, the town witnessed its first surge in growth and
development.
Fort Ellis was established in 1867 in response to the
hysteria caused by the murder of John Bozeman, allegedly killed by Blackfeet
Indians. Under the orders of Brigadier
General Alfred H. Terry, commander of the Department of Dakota, Captain Robert
S. LaMotte and soldiers under his command in the 13th U.S. Infantry
constructed the garrison. It took two
years before Colonel A.G. Brackett arrived with two companies of the 2nd
cavalry. The cavalry gave the installation the distinction of being the only
early cavalry post in Montana.
The fort was named for Colonel Augustus Van Horne Ellis, who
was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg.
The soldiers were charged to protect the agriculturally significant
Gallatin Valley, area miners, and white settlers, and those traveling on the
Bozeman Trail from “aggressive Indians,” mainly the Sioux and Blackfeet.
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| Fort Ellis Courtesy of the National Park Service |
At its largest, the fort was comprised of three log
officers' quarters, seven troop barracks, a hospital, an ammunition storehouse,
office building, guard house, mess hall, store house, two granaries, five
stables, a bakery, a laundry, a library, a court room, a sawmill, and various
workshops.
There are no reported significant conflicts between the
soldiers and Sioux or Blackfeet, but January of 1870 saw one of the most tragic
events in the fort’s history. Orders from Lt. General Philip Sheridan came to
the fort to strike at the Blackfeet and “strike them hard.” Major Eugene Baker led Fort Ellis troops in a
violent attack against a winter camp on the Marias River.
When the gunfire ceased, 90 women, 50 children and 33 men,
most elderly and in 40 degree below zero weather, lie dead. Soldiers burned the
lodges, destroyed winter provisions and took 140 women and children prisoner.
Before the soldiers could get their prisoners to the fort, they found the
captives were infested with small pox. In a despicable act, they left the women
and children in the bitter elements without food or adequate clothing.
Upon their return to the fort, Baker and his men found they
had mistakenly attacked a friendly group of Blackfeet who had recently signed
peaceful agreements with the whites. The horrendous massacre was ignored in the
West, while Eastern newspapers did not and reported on the event “…which will
leave so dark a stain on our history.”
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| Col. Baker and soldiers Courtesy of National Park Service |
Fort Ellis did play an important role in the economy of
Bozeman and the history of the town. At its peak 400 soldiers resided there,
rivaling the population of Bozeman. With the sense of security provided by the
fort more women and children settled in Gallatin Valley.
Soldiers squandered their pay at local saloons. Businessmen
and ranchers also prospered from government contracts for supplies, horses, and
beef. One year after the outpost was established Bozeman grew from a village of
a dozen log cabins to a town of 150 people with 40 dwellings, three stores, a
hotel, a gristmill, a blacksmith shop and two saloons. By 1870, Bozeman was a
community of 574 people.
Soldiers from the fort served as escorts for the Northern
Pacific Railroad surveying parties, erected telegraph lines, and built
roads. Among the cavalry units stationed
at Fort Ellis was the Second United States Cavalry. An officer from the Second,
Lt. Gustavus C. Doane, became well known for his exploration of Yellowstone
National Park (the first scientific expeditions of Yellowstone).
The post’s importance waned by the 1880s, and in 1886 the
government decommissioned the Fort Ellis. All buildings affiliated with the
post were eventually demolished or relocated.
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| Fort Ellis Marker |
As mentioned above, Fort Ellis plays a significant role in
my debut publication, HOME FIRES, and in the next installments of the
series. Both the benefits and tragedies
of having a fort nearby are felt by the Matthews’ family, as it was by the
early settlers of Bozeman, Montana.
Sources:
Malone, Michael P, Roeder, Richard B. et al. Montana: A
History of Two Centuries. University of
Washington Press: January, 1991.
Cord
Matthews sets his sights on the open Montana Territory when the War Between the
States rips everything from him including his own heart, Olivia Bartlett. Cord
builds a new dream, but a ghost from his past won’t let him forget what his
heart wanted most.
Olivia Bartlett, forced to flee her Virginia
home and the man who owns her heart, finds new purpose as a nurse to the
wounded at Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory. But war and separation haven’t diminished her
love for Cord Matthews, or her stubborn belief he is coming for her. When
tragedy steals another loved one and danger threatens her life, Olivia flees to
Montana Territory, seeking refuge.
Reunited on the Montana frontier, can Cord and Olivia hold
tight to their love despite the guilt each carries for a past they can’t change
and defeat a danger who seeks their destruction?
Kirsten Lynn is a Western and Military Historian. She worked six years with a Navy non-profit and continues to contract with the Marine Corps History Division for certain projects. Making her home where her roots were sewn in Wyoming, Kirsten also works as a local historian. She loves to use the history she has learned and add it to a great love story. She writes stories about men of uncommon valor…women with undaunted courage…love of unwavering devotion …and romance with unending sizzle. When she’s not writing, she finds inspiration in day trips through the Bighorn Mountains, binge reading and watching sappy old movies, or sappy new movies. Housework can always wait.
