# Captain William J. Fetterman — A Cycle of the West character guide

> Captain William J. Fetterman in A Cycle of the West by John G. Neihardt.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Fetterman

**First appearance:** 0029-iv-fort-phil-kearney

## Who they are

A U.S. Army officer killed with his command in a Sioux ambush.

## In the story

### [The Song of the Indian Wars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/the-song-of-the-indian-wars)

Fetterman is noted for his role in the Fetterman Fight, where he and his entire command were killed by Lakota and Cheyenne warriors.

### [IV: Fort Phil Kearney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/iv-fort-phil-kearney)

Claims senior command and leads a relief party; ignores warnings not to go past Lodge Trail Ridge, leading to his disappearance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/characters/fetterman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/characters