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OCTOBER 10, 2000

Next summer, a Wyoming man is planning to lead a wagon train across the historic Bozeman Trail, whose use in the late 1800s led to wars between the government and Plains tribes.

The Bozeman Trail was established to create a shorter route to the newly discovered gold field of Montana. But it cut through the Power River Basin, the last and best hunting grounds of tribes in the region.

Attacks and the completion of the transcontinental railroad led to the abandonement of the trial by settlers. But the Army, including General George Crook, continued to use the trail, eventually leading to the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.

Oglala Chief Red Cloud organized several successful attacks against the Army on the trail. The 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty called for the destruction of forts along the trail.

Get the Story:
Wyoming man plans to lead wagon train across historic Bozeman trail (AP 10/10)

Relevant Links:
Travel the Bozeman Trail - www.bozemantrail.org