Long Description:
Battle of Washita
On the morning of November 27, 1868, Lt. Col George Armstrong
Custer, and his 7th Cavalry troopers attacked a Cheyenne camp on
the Washita River. Inside the camp was Black Kettle, a prominent
Cheyenne Chief, his family, and many other Indians. What happened
here on that fateful morning can be called less than fair.
Many thing set the events in motion. In the 1830’s, forced
relocation of Indian tribes from the eastern United States caused a
lot of friction between the relocated tribes and the existing
tribes on the plains. The 1840s and 50s brought a lot of movement
from the east from white settlers into the plains. This caused a
reduction to what formally had been Indian lands, now the tribes
were forced to compete against the settlers, and a loss of their
way of life.
The final straw that signified disobedience from the tribes to
the United States government was the American Civil War. These
tribes that had been forced to move and give up their way of life
were forced to choose which side of the conflict they would fight.
Many factions within the tribes choose to fight for the south. With
promises of making Indian Territory a new state within the
Confederacy, many of these factions felt the risk was worth the
fight. Of course, history shows that the Union defeated the
Confederacy, and westward expansion would continue onward inspite
of the Civil War.
Once the Civil War ended, and things began to settle down, the
United States Army set its sites on clearing the plains for
settlement. By the onset of 1868, General Philip Sheridan commanded
troops throughout the region bringing them into Indian Territory
and quickly reestablishing a series of frontier forts, including
Fort Sill, Fort Supply, and Fort Gibson. With these established and
supply lines strong, the Army set out with the tactics of total war
against the Indians.
Typical Army tactics called for winter bivouacs rather than
being on war path. Winter is difficult today to fight in, consider
fighting without the real ability to keep troops war and sheltered
against the elements. Transportation was either done by foot, horse
or wagon. This strategy was used by the Indian Tribes as well.
Tribes would winter down, seeking shelter from the cold.
This camp along the Washita, was not the only camp. Other camps
were located further east, down the Washita. Knowing that Black
Kettle was a huge target, they isolated his camp. This made the
target even greater. Other reports state that Black Kettle had
opportunities to move to the other encampments but refused. He had
petitioned for peace at Fort Cobb without success. Black Kettle
believed that there would not be an attack until the Army first
offered the opportunity for peace.
On November 27th, after scouting reports had confirmed the
presence on the Washita, Custer’s men secretly gathered to prepare
for an attack in the early morning hours. Custer’s men would split,
attacking from different directs simultaneously, causing the most
damage.
Custer’s report states that he had killed about 100. Indian
accounts claimed 11 warriors dead with 19 women and children also
killed. The troopers captured more than 50 Cheyenne, mostly women
and children. They killed over 800 of their horses and donkeys.
They burned the village with the winter supplies.
Custer’s losses were significantly less. One of his detachments
led by Major Joe Elliott, and 19 other troopers were lost. Custer,
knowing of the other villages, decided to fake an attack moving
towards the east, but quickly withdrew knowing the strength of the
tribal villages. He and his hostages moved back to Fort Supply,
without knowing the fate of Major Elliott.
Preservation of the Battlefield
Today the battlefield is preserved under the care of the
National Parks Service. In 1983, it was declared a National
Historic Site. Previously, in 1966, it was declared a National
Historic Landmark. Prior to this, the Oklahoma Historical Society
had purchased a few acres to preserve the battlefield.
The park today is 315 acres. A new visitor center was opened in
2007, with displays updated in 2008. An interpretive video helps
explain the events, with a trail that leads down by the river and
through the village location.
The village site remains very close to its 1868 appearance. The
river has altered its course slightly, but the topography remains.
A rail line was built, and later removed, but the ridge that was
built up to support the line remains and is part of the
interpretive trail.
Contact Information:
- By Mail
Rt. 1 Box 55A
Cheyenne, OK 73628
- By Phone
(580) 497-2742
Bibliography