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Confederate Blue in the American West: The Galvanized Yankees, Part III

© Perry Cuskey

Before their service came to an end, The 1st U.S. Volunteers would establish a reputation as a solid, dependable unit. This would help lead to the recruitment of five more regiments of former Confederate prisoners.

The 2nd & 3rd U.S. Volunteer regiments were recruited from the prison camp at Rock Island, Illinois in the fall and winter of 1864. By March of 1865, after delays caused by political as well as military red tape, both units had been mustered into service and sent to the frontier.

The mint-new regiments had arrived on the Great Plains at a time when emotions and danger were both extremely high.

The infamous Sand Creek Massacre had taken place only the previous November in Colorado Territory, resulting in the death of a large number of unsuspecting Cheyenne, including several women and children.

This still-controversial incident sparked an explosion of violence across the plains. It was into this volatile situation that the newest members of the Galvanized Yankees were about to step.

The Battle of Platte Bridge

Indian raids occurred across the plains throughout the year, largely in retaliation for Sand Creek. Before it came to an end scores would be dead and a great deal of property destroyed.

Through it all, the Galvanized Yankees would strive to do their job and protect those ill equipped to protect themselves. Described by one witness as "faithful, prompt, and well-disciplined," the former Confederates more than once found themselves caught up in the firestorm sweeping across the vast frontier.

Such was the case in July of 1865 for a small group of U.S. Volunteers serving in Wyoming.

Near the end of the month fourteen members of Company I, 3rd United States Volunteers, were drawn into one of the worst engagements of the season while on the way east to Fort Laramie.

The men were returning from their lonely outpost at South Pass along the Oregon Trail, intent on stocking up on supplies and drawing the company's pay.

Commanded by Captain A.S. Lybe, a Union Civil War veteran, the small band had arrived at the outpost guarding the Platte River Bridge (near present-day Casper, Wyoming) before sunrise on July 26th, accompanied by members of the 11th Ohio Cavalry.

They learned upon their arrival that the garrison of 100 men had been harassed by a band of hostile Indians the previous afternoon, and that more trouble was expected before long.

Behind them on the trail, having elected not to accompany them on a night-march to the outpost at the Platte River Bridge, was a detachment of the 11th Kansas Cavalry and their wagon train.