Fort Russell 1867–1927 Francis E. Warren Air Force Base

former u.s. army residence of general john j. pershing @ warren afb

when president lincoln , congress set plans transcontinental railroad, recognized need military installation protect union pacific workers potentially hostile indians. on 4 july 1867, railroad established mountain region headquarters @ crow creek crossing, later known cheyenne. few weeks later, u.s. cavalry moved temporary headquarters in cheyenne point 3 miles (5 km) west , established fort d. a. russell. thus, 1867 beginning of city , fort, , both have grown on years.

detachments of 30th infantry formed first garrison, under command of colonel john d. stevenson. brief time troops lived in tents, during winter of 1867–68 moved wood-frame quarters. dwellings set in shape of diamond, instead of rectangle, protect against harsh winter winds howled across treeless high plains. diamond opened east , measured 800 1,040 feet (320 m). entrance original fort @ point next present day chapel 1. first troops stationed here lived rough frontier life, meant coping rigors of weather in winter , coping indians in spring , summer.

in 1876, troops fort russell participated in great sioux indian wars, same in lieutenant colonel custer s forces defeated.

in 1884, fort russell made permanent post, because of strategic location. in 1885, war department ordered post rebuilt serve 8 infantry companies. army built 27 red brick buildings $100,000 replace older wood frame structures, , planted thousands of trees. many of brick buildings stables housed 20,000 horses , mules. 1885 1930, more 220 brick buildings erected; of them remain in use today. last expansion of base took place in 20th century when large barracks along randall avenue constructed. base maintains historic exterior of each building interior modifications today s living , working environment.

in 1866, congress formed 4 black regiments: 9th , 10th cavalry , 24th , 25th infantry. 25th infantry unit didn t serve @ fort d. a. russell. black soldiers called buffalo soldiers, title originating native americans likened soldiers spiritual buffalo.

in 1898, spanish–american war renewed importance post. after president mckinley sent message congress, 8th infantry left fort d. a. russell cuba. later year, wyoming national guard mustered service @ post , departed duty in philippines. in battle of manila (1898), guard first battalion reach walls of city , raise flag. in 1901, troops fort russell returned philippines put down insurrection independence during philippine–american war laying ground occupation. returned queen mary tudor cannon forged in 1557 , 2 of 3 balangiga bells, had been used insurrectionists signal launch ambush on american troops. seven-foot cannon, 1 of kind in america, , bells on display near base flagpole.

in 1906, secretary of war william howard taft recommended fort russell expand brigade-size post. 1910, construction of red brick quarters, two-story barracks, offices , stables had tripled area of post. during era, artillery units assigned there, , facility increased in size accommodate troop training latest 20th century weapons.

from 1913 1916, during mexican revolution, post artillery units stationed along border prevent struggle coming onto american soil. during world war i, post served mobilization point , training facility field artillery , cavalry groups. world war began, fort russell had become 1 of largest military posts in united states.

what stands quarters no. 2 today was, in 1885, post commander s home. tradition, post commander occupied largest house on post. hence, commander moved quarters no. 8 when built in 1903. quarters no. 2 assigned family of captain john black jack pershing, later led american forces in europe during world war i. pershing married u.s. senator francis e. warren s daughter, preferred staying father when husband on campaign. pershing promoted 4 ranks permanent rank of captain brigadier general within 2 years of marriage, senate s approval of nomination president theodore roosevelt aided father-in-law s influence.