CASPER or CASPAR????? WHERE DID ALL THE INDIANS COME FROM!!!!!!

Lt CASPAR COLLINS was a young soldier station at PLATTE BRIDGE STATION with one company of men.  More on the Platte Bridge later.  This fort was named after him( tell you why later).  So was the town of CASPER.  The naming fathers of the town, misspelled his name and it became CASPER and they kept the name.  Same for the fort.  Some time it is called CASPER and sometimes CASPAR.  You ask, why did they not name the fort,  FORT COLLINS.  Well there was a fort already named COLLINS, after Caspar's father.

This photo is of the outside before one arrives at the entrance.

This is the entrance to the fort.  Caspar as a boy would travel with his father when he went from post to post.  Young Casper had a hobby, which was to sketch the different forts in detail.  When this fort was rebuilt, the construction people used Caspar's sketches.

 

Photo of the inside the fort, showing officers quarters.  Look to you right and you will see tents that was used by some of the  enlisted men.

This photo is of the stable.  It is attached to the officer's quarter. Good Wyoming fresh air!!

This is the mess hall. They also had beds at the far end to house some of the soldiers. 

This photo show the beds plus some of the soldiers' clothing and weapons.  I have seen many a fort, but not once have I seen an outhouse.  

OKAY, here comes the story.  Pay attention, because it is long and there may be a TEST!!

Remember all the people that was going west.  Well, they had  to cross the NORTH PLATTE RIVER.  The river was very deep and very wide.  Many deaths just by crossing the river.  A man by the name of Louis Guinard,  looking for a way to make some money, built a bridge across the river, 810 feet long and 17 feet wide and this photo shows a part of the bridge.  Wagons, cattle and even pony express used this bridge for a fee. So, we have a bridge, an overnight stage stop, a pony express relay station and a telegraph office.  So Platte Bridge Station needed protection from the Indians.  The Indians, Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe was still mad about the SAND CREEK massacre after one year had pass.  The Indians would take the opportunity to fight the Calvary any time, any place.    Still with me.  

On the morning of July 26, 1865, Lt. Caspar Collins led troop of men to reinforce an army supply train coming into Platte Bridge Station. The Indians, Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe, wanted to destroy Platte Bridge Station.  The Indians heavily outnumbered the group led by 20 year old lieutenant. During the retreat Lt. Collins was killed. In his honor, the Platte Bridge Station became  FORT CASPAR!!

NOW YOU KNOW.  You can use this knowledge , the next time you are at a party.

 This shows the inside of what was known as SUTLER STORE.   He had a franchise from the regiment, moving with the troops.  He supplied the troops with a variety of goods including clothing, tobacco, food and liquor.  The start of our modern POST PX.

A side note.  The Mormons had to cross the North Platte River, also.  They attached 2 canoes to the wagons and move them across the river.  Later, they built their own bridge.  If you were a Mormon, you could go across free, others paid a toll.  Isn't this fun.  Glad you came along with me!!!!