Camp Poplar River (Poplar, Montana)

Poplar · Montana · Indian Wars

Quick BriefCompanies B and F of the Eleventh Infantry established Camp Poplar River in October 1880 on the south bank of the Poplar River to maintain order and help enforce the Fort Peck Agency reservation boundaries. The post normally consisted of only two companies of infantry and was abandoned in 1893.

History & Significance

Camp Poplar River was established during the Indian Wars in the Department of Dakota to maintain order, keep non-agency Indians away, and help capture Indians who disturbed the peace and would not conform to reservation boundaries of the Fort Peck Agency. Located one-half mile north of the Poplar River Agency on the south bank of the Poplar River, the post normally consisted of only two companies of infantry.

Companies B and F of the Eleventh Infantry arrived in September 1880 from Fort Custer to establish a cantonment. By December 1880, additional troops from the Fifth Infantry under Major Guido Ilges arrived to strengthen the garrison due to hostile Indian activity.

The post served a critical function during the post-Sioux War period, hosting Company I of the Twentieth Infantry, reestablished in 1891 as an Indian company with enlistments from Sioux at Poplar River and Gros Ventres and Assiniboines at Fort Belknap Agency. The War Department ordered the garrison withdrawn and the post abandoned in 1893. The post has disappeared except for the fact that the town of Poplar, Montana occupies the site and bears the same name.