Historical significance of the U.S. Army in Yellowstone Fort Yellowstone

1 historical significance of u.s. army in yellowstone

1.1 wildlife policies
1.2 transition national park service
1.3 legacy

historical significance of u.s. army in yellowstone

u.s. army management of yellowstone successful 1891 managing sequoia, yosemite , kings canyon national parks in california , mackinac national park in michigan. national park service later followed precedents established army , incorporated them own management strategy. during tenure @ yellowstone, army developed regulations put emphasis on protection of park resources, safety of visitors, , positive effective visitor interaction. under watchful eyes of army, geothermal features, forests , wildlife of yellowstone protected vandalism, fire , poaching. these practices adopted national park service , continue foundation of national park management policy. proactive actions army in stopping poaching in park led passing of lacey act of 1894, established legal protection wildlife , remedies dealing violators.

when company m, 1st u.s. cavalry arrived in yellowstone, captain moses harris, civil war medal of honor recipient, on own authority , initiative, promulgated set of rules staff enforced protect park resources still adhered in 21st century:

1) cutting of green timber, or removal or displacement of mineral deposits or natural curiosities, forbidden. 2) hunting or trapping , discharge of firearms within limited of park prohibited. fishing forbidden except hook , line, , sale of fish taken disallowed. 3) wagon tires on wagons used freighting purposes on roads ... required least 4 inches in width. 4) camping parties build fires when necessary. 5) sale of intoxicating liquors, except hotel proprietors guests, own use, strictly prohibited. 6) trespassers within park illicit purposes, or persons wantonly violating foregoing rules, summarily removed park. 8) no rocks, sticks, or other obstructions must thrown of springs or geysers within park. ... enjoined upon soldiers ... vigilant , attentive in enforcement of foregoing regulations. ... in enforcement of orders conduct in courteous , polite, firm , decided manner.

even though harris , soldiers vigilantly enforced rules, arresting many violators, there no legal authority prosecution or punishment. harris expel violators park.

fort yellowstone 1895 (f. j. haynes)

captain harris, , successor, captain frazier augustus boutelle, established network of soldier , snowshoe cabins throughout remote portions of park. these cabins, strategically located 10 miles (16 km) apart, used detachments of soldiers throughout year stayed watchful wildfires, vandalism , poaching. use of remote ranger cabins patrolling park still practiced park rangers. captain young, during first tour acting superintendent in 1897, established patrol cabin policies still followed park rangers. young required soldiers using patrol cabin keep daily log of activities, including game counts, visitor counts , weather observations. these logs used compile monthly report sent headquarters @ fort yellowstone. young issued following orders soldiers using snowshoe cabins.

all persons enjoined use rations in snowshoe cabins in case of necessity; never under circumstances waste of them , leave cabins , contents secure , in condition. ax , shovel must left inside, comforts hanged [sic] up, cooking utensils left clean , dry , food in box secure mice, etc. enough dry wood 1 night should left in cabin.

wildlife policies

of many decisions made captain boutelle in managing park, approach fisheries had significant , lasting impact. boutelle avid angler , recognized angling potential in yellowstone waters. in 1889 suggested u.s. fish commission consider stocking many of fish-less lakes , streams in yellowstone.

besides beautiful shoshone , other smaller lakes, there

are hundreds of miles of fine streams in existence without fish of kind. have written col. marshall mcdonald, u.s. fish commission, upon

the subject, , have received letters him manifesting great interest. hope through him see of these waters stocked pleasure-seeker in park can enjoy fine fishing within few rods of hotel or camp.

this suggestion acted upon , in 1889 first non-native fish stocked yellowstone waters, practice continued until 1955 , helped create angling experience yellowstone national park renowned for.

in 1902, population of bison in park had declined approximately 25 individual animals. under leadership of captain pitcher, army began program of importing plains bison private domestic herds in texas , montana. fenced enclosures created @ mammoth , in lamar valley. areas ploughed , planted oats , timothy feed captive bison herds expanding elk herds. bison enclosure in lamar valley became known lamar buffalo ranch. when army left park in 1918, bison population estimated have increased 400 individuals.

transition national park service

mounted u.s. army cavalryman

after serving more 6 years acting superintendent, major john pitcher replaced lieutenant general samuel b.m. young (u.s. army retired) in june 1907. young appointed secretary of interior, james rudolph garfield full superintendent of park. although young senior officer, command of troops @ fort yellowstone given major h. t. allen. young s lasting contribution fort yellowstone s history proposal replace army force of civilian guards. young, had served acting superintendent captain in 1897 recognized dysfunctional , complicated relationships between war department, corps of engineers , interior department congress knew adversely impacting successful administration of park. young s proposal not acted upon, did set stage decade of change saw creation of national park service in 1916 park ranger force protect national parks.

although cavalry had been successful in protecting park, 1914 average soldier not cutout strenuous, diplomatic , tedious nature of work, , high level of training related cavalry skills. world war added further impetus transition civilian management, relieve army of duty performed civilian rangers. in july 1914, 1st cavalry withdrawn yellowstone , replaced composite unit of 200 cavalrymen throughout army, many of whom had served in yellowstone previously.

throughout 1915–16, interior department organizing deal growing number of national parks , ultimately, congress created national park service on august 25, 1916. prior establishment of national park service, in july 1916 war department agreed withdraw troops yellowstone of october 1, 1916, end of park visitation season. @ same time, war department agreed discharge select number of current volunteer cavalry contingent on september 29, 1916, go work national park service park rangers.

unfortunately, congress failed appropriate funds new national park service 1917 , ranger force disbanded in spring of 1917. political pressure montana congressional delegation on loss of economic revenue army presence resulted in recall of army , 450 soldiers 7th cavalry regiment sent fort yellowstone protect park. administrative control remained interior department under supervision of acting superintendent chester allinson lindsley, long time civilian employee in park. relations between army, corps of engineers , interior department continued contentious in 1917–1918 disagreements on proposed construction, ownership of buildings , use of personnel persisted. in 1918, director of national park service stephen mather convinced congress , war department civilian control of national parks under national park service right solution. on october 31, 1918, army left yellowstone last time.

legacy

guard duty 1903

john muir foremost american naturalist , called father of national parks once wrote: blessings on uncle sam s soldiers. have done job well, , every pine tree waving arms joy.

while yellowstone under army management, activities, policies , procedures developed served precedents other national parks , subsequent actions national park service after formation in 1916. army solved wide variety of problems , developed procedures covering multitude of administrative issues. military superintendents continued evolution of park policies , conservation measures initiated first civilian administrators. implemented backcountry patrols, access improvement, wildlife protection , management, protection of natural features, law enforcement , development of ranger force. army set precedents future headquarters area development designs, visitor services such educational outreach , interpretive tours. diligence in dealing poachers led legislation provided prosecution , punishment of illegal activity. of precedents army established incorporated later national park service lasting legacy of important role army played in u.s. national park history. modern park ranger uniforms legacies of army management of park. iconically, campaign hat, flat-brow peaked hat worn cavalry in last years of army management identical modern hats worn 21st century.