The Greatest Ride in History -- nr Fort Laramie NHS, Ft. Laramie WY
N 42° 12.557 W 104° 33.735
13T E 536134 N 4673105
A historic marker at the 90-degree turn on County Road 53 to the Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Waymark Code: WMK2DQ
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 02/02/2014
Views: 6
This historic marker on the way to Fort Laramie National Historic Site tells the tale of an Army soldier's desperate dash for help during the Great Sioux War of 1866-1867. Phillips and his valiant horse made it to Fort Laramie, but his horse sacrificed his life on "The Greatest Ride in History."
The marker is a metal plaque on a concrete post at the 90-degree hairpin turn on Goshen County Road 53, near Fort Laramie National Historic site. The plaque reads as follows:
"THE GREATEST RIDE IN HISTORY
In memory of the Thoroughbred Horse
ridden by
John “Portugee” Phillips
From Fort Phil Kearny Wyoming to Fort Laramie Wyoming December 24 and 26 1866, when he sought aid for the garrison at Fort Phil Kearny, which was surrounded by Indians. After the battle with Lieutenant Colonel William F. Fetterman, resulting in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Fetterman and 80 men, the horse died from exhaustion soon after arriving at Fort Laramie, having gone 236 miles in two days, through a blizzard, with the temperature below zero.
Placed by
The Wyoming Historical Commission
July, 1951"
Marker Name: THE GREATEST RIDE IN HISTORY
Marker Type: Rural Roadside
Addtional Information:
The marker is a metal plaque on a concrete post at the 90-degree hairpin turn on Goshen County Road 53, near Fort Laramie National Historic site.
Group Responsible for Placement: Wyoming Historical Commission
Date Dedicated: July 1951
Web link(s) for additional information: [Web Link]
Marker Number: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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