Gold was discovered in Montana in 1862, ushering in a flood of prospectors straight through the heart of Lakota territory on a new road called the Bozeman trail, further straining tensions between settlers and Natives. Jim Bridger opened up his “Bridger’s Trail”, a much safer – and popular - alternative but the powers that be were dead set on erecting forts on the Bozeman. Violence erupted across the Great Plains as the Lakota, Arapaho, and Cheyenne took to the war path, vowing to drive the whites from their land forever. These new tensions saw Bridger return to military duty once again, first guiding the Army during the Powder River campaign and again as he led Colonel Carrington to the Bighorn country and establishing Fort Phil Kearny. Jim Bridger, now in his sixties, was still riding the prairie, rifle across the saddle, and still blazing new trails.

This is episode five and the last installment in this series on Jim Bridger. Links below for the previous four.  In this episode we’re going to explore the Powder River Campaign, the Fetterman Massacre, Jim’s eventual retirement and death, and a quick look at the massive change that occurred during Bridger’s lifetime.

Check out my website for more true tales from the wild and woolly west https://www.wildwestextra.com/

Email me! https://www.wildwestextra.com/contact/

Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wildwest

Free Newsletter! https://wildwestjosh.substack.com/

Join Patreon for bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/wildwestextra

Hundred Proof History – https://hundredproofhistory.com/

Jim Bridger Pt 1 | Ashley’s 100 - https://www.wildwestextra.com/jim-bridger-ashleys-100/

Jim Bridger Pt 2 | Bugs Boys - https://www.wildwestextra.com/jim-bridger-bugs-boys/

Jim Bridger Pt 3 | Mormons - https://www.wildwestextra.com/jim-bridger-mormons/

Jim Bridger Pt 4 | The Guide - https://www.wildwestextra.com/jim-bridger-the-guide/

Jim Bridger Trailblazer of the American West | Jerry Enzler - https://www.amazon.com/Jim-Bridger-Trailblazer-American-West/dp/080619197X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39712IOHTJVTB&keywords=jim+bridger+jerry+enzler&qid=1675001445&s=books&sprefix=jim+bridger+jerry%2Cstripbooks%2C120&sr=1-1

Listen to Texas History Lessons for Texas History! https://www.texashistorylessons.com/