Drybone: A History of Fort Fetterman, Wyoming by Tom Lindmier tells the compelling story of a frontier military post defined by hardship, resilience, and constant challenge. Fort Fetterman’s remote location both aided and hindered its mission throughout its active years. Author Owen Wister famously used the fort as inspiration for his fictional town “Drybone,” giving this work its name.

Crazy Horse once called Fort Fetterman a source of irritation—the only part of the 1868 Treaty he objected to—while Lindmier describes it as a place full of excitement, danger, and significance. Established in 1867 to guard travelers along the Bozeman Trail, the fort endured frequent threats and became the starting point for General Crook’s 1876 campaigns leading up to the Battle of the Little Big Horn. With the region pacified by 1880, the fort’s role diminished and it was eventually abandoned.

A rich blend of military history, frontier life, and Western heritage, this book offers an in-depth look at one of Wyoming’s most storied posts.

Author: Tom Lindmier
Print Length: 253 pages
Format: Softcover