Fort McPherson, Nebraska

Fort McPherson was established in october 1863. It was located on the banks of the North Platte River, at the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon, a strategic location near the site of present-day Maxwell, Nebraska.

The decision to build the fort was following the Dakota War of 1862. The was an outpost to protect travellers along the Oregon and California Trails, between Fort Kearny and Colorado and to keep the peace with the local Native Americans.

The was built by troops of the 7th Iowa Regiment Volunteer Cavalry and was originally named Cantonment McKean. It was subsequently called Fort Cottonwood, until February 26, 1866 when it was named Fort McPherson in the honor of Major General James B. McPherson.

Numerous expeditions were launched from Fort McPherson during the Indian Wars. The most important was the expedition of General Eugene Asa Carr which finished with the defeat of the Cheyenne Indians at the Battle of Summit Springs. The fort was abandoned in 1880.

A cemetery was created along with the fort. In 1873, 20 acres were set aside for Fort McPherson National Cemetery, and the remains interred in the original post cemetery were moved to it.

Further reading

• Barnes, Jeff. Forts of the Northern Plains: Guide to Historic Military Posts of the Plains Indian Wars. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2008.