Nebraska, 1841–1848

In its heyday, the Platte River Road held a pivotal role as one of the United State’s most important Western route. Beginning with the California Gold Rush of 1849, and before the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May of 1869, this section of the Overland Trail was one of the most heavily trafficked transportation corridors in America. Cheyenne Warrior’s events occur largely along the Platte River Road between its two main hubs, the federal military forts of Fort Laramie and Fort Kearny. Chapter 2 of Cheyenne Warriors outlines the “chain-of-forts” concept of the 1840s, the 1848 building of Fort Kearny along the river road, and military and political conflicts with the Pawnee Nation engendered by Fort Kearny’s construction.