True, but also clueless about Indian warfare. He'd only been in the region some months yet believed he could whip the "savages" with 80 men. While such disregard for the Indian's ability to fight was prevalent in the military at the time, most who opposed them in open combat came to a respect of their fighting ability. Unfortunately for Fetterman, he never got the time.
Fetterman was fearless, but not for long, as you said, he had experience commanding 18th in the Civil War, but none against Indians. They tricked him into retreating into open area. Hey I want to thank you guys for the thread. It is interesting just to talk to people that study this stuff, and I assure you I am not anywhere close to you guys with your website...its very cool! My daughter and I have been all over Wyoming, South Dakota,and Montana installing including Gillette, Sheridan, Buffalo, Laurel, MT...we like to follow Lewis and Clark trail too.