On this day in history, 104 years ago, Sergeant Major David Marion Kerstetter, from Massillon, Ohio, wrote to his old comrade, Brigadier General William H. Bisbee, a poignant letter recalling to memory the Fetterman Fight, that had occurred 55 years prior this letters’ creation. I have included a look at some of the men who played a prominent roll on that day December 21, 1866 at a new army post beyond the known states, Fort Phil Kearny, Dakota Territory, now present day Wyoming.
Setting the stage, both Kerstetter and Bisbee, had enlisted as privates in the 18th Infantry at the beginning of the Civil War, and through the attrition in war, both advanced in the ranks; for Kerstetter to the highest NCO rank, and Bisbee to 1st Lieutenant.
At the close of the war, Colonel Henry Beebe Carrington, never serving a day in the campaigns and battles of the 18th U.S. Infantry Regiment volunteered them to re-garrison the northern plains, the first infantry unit to go west again. Colonel Carrington, had received the new command of the Mountain District, Department of the Platte, with orders to establish three new forts on the Bozeman Trail, a new but hazardous route to the gold fields in Montana Territory. This movement by the army into the region known as ABSARAKA (Land of the Crows), would start what became known as Red Cloud’s War, named for the prominent leader of the Indian resistance to the white incursion. This topic will not be taken up here, too much of an in depth study, and one that history as much ignored.
On the 21st of December, 81 men were killed on a snow covered wagon wheel scared trail in a remote territory most Americans had not heard of before. At about 12:45 PM all of the firing had ceased. Captain Tenodor Ten Eyck’s relief column had arrived shortly after, and began retrieving the bodies of the slain, bringing back about half of the dead just after the fight, with the remaining bodies collected by Colonel Carrington and Ten Eyck on the 22nd. The bodies were wrapped in clean bedsheets issued by the quartermaster, as the burial plots were prepared beginning on the 23rd at the four month old post cemetery. Captains, Fetterman and Brown, along with 1st Lieutenant Grummond were laid to rest on Christmas Eve, without a service. The men were buried on Christmas Day, with the remainder on the 26th. A gleaming white fresh coat of snow had fallen on Christmas Day.
For David Kerstetter, a member of the staff & field of the 18th, brought him into the full knowledge of how desperate the situation was for the civilians traveling the road, and most important to his men, and their families. The strain of his responsibilities was tremendous during all the constant harassment by Red Cloud’s antagonists, and to finishing a stockade fort before a blistering winter set in. He was at the fort the day of the fight on the 21st, and would remain at Fort Phil, until Carrington and his companies were ordered away from that post, shortly into the new year. Kerstetter would remain in service until February 15, 1867, and was discharged from his long hard service and went home to Massillon, Ohio. David Kerstetter passed away on July 25, 1928
For William Bisbee, after Fetterman and his men were killed, an anger within for Carrington’s blaming Fetterman, a good friend, continued to fester through the years. Carrington made a post war career of defending his involvement in the Fetterman’s fight on the 21st of December, and for all the other occurrences at the fort while in command there. Supporting his friend to the last day, Bisbee maintained that Fetterman was blameless, and gathered statements from other officers whose knowledge of the fight would help redirect much of the blame back on to the colonel. Remaining a career officer, and then retiring in 1902, the General wrote his memoirs, “Through Four American Wars,” and later would received the Purple Heart Medal “for repeated acts of bravery.” Bisbee held the distinction of being one of the longest serving army officers from the Civil War. He died in 1942, at the age of 102.
As Kerstetter’s memory reverted back to that horrific tragedy I believe there was more in his letter than remembering a day 55 years in the past. Yes, that cold December 21st day was on his mind, but the thought of an old army comrade prompted this letter. Even expressing the “sadness and sorrow of each succeeding year,” he was thankful both he and William Bisbee had survived that dreadful event. Following in the Christmas Season’s tradition of sending letters, cards, and more, the old sergeant major shared, ” the wish of old Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” The fond remembrance of a dear comrade in arms was an outreach. Like so many other veterans, having to live with the horrors of the past, needing to maintain that special brotherly connection brings some solace in this time of joy and peace. If David Kerstetter did not believe in Christ, why evoke his blessing upon a dear friend? Christmas is a season of giving, sharing, beginning with God’s ultimate gift, his son Jesus Christ. I believe Kerstetter found the power in Christmas, and the continual healing it can bring with each new year.
So, Jean and I wish the same to all of our family and friends, faithful customers, and followers, to all our fellow countrymen of all beliefs. Above all to our armed forces men and women who serve and defend our Country, faithfully and honorably. So fitting in this season we quote the author of this letter as we are,
“wishing you the wish of old, A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
At this point, I would be remiss if I did not include a letter from Kerstetter to Bisbee in October of 1918, written 51 years after the Fetterman Fight. I have photographed the letter in its entirety to further enhance the camaraderie and respect each of this soldiers had for one another. The letter was printed in Gen. Bisbee’s book, ‘Through Four American War.’ (see photograph section).
