Black Kettle had been a great warrior in his youth. Now, at
middle age, he was widely known as chief of southern Cheyenne. Accompanied
by Lean Bear, he had recently been to Washington and shook hands with the
great father Lincoln. Lean Bear and Black Kettle must have had their minds
blown seeing the Capitol. It is easy to see them in the middle of hustle
and bustle thinking, " What are these Whites doing?".
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| President Lincoln gave them medals and papers saying
they were friends of the United States. But since then, there was
rumor that soldiers would attack the Cheyenne. On one morning, Lean
Bear saw soldiers approaching the camp. He grabbed the papers he
received from Lincoln and rode out to meet them. As soon as he was
close enough, they shot at him. Black Kettle didn't understand this.
Black Kettle tried to avoid buffalo hunters, stage roads, railroads
and forts. |
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Cheyenne warriors, young men who created the Dog soldiers,
were attracted to leaders like Roman Nose who loved a good fight,
especially if there was a noble cause. As things got crazier on the
plains, indiscriminate attacks became mutual fare. The Dog soldiers
believed they could realize their ends through armed struggle.
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They launched many bloody raids against the
inexorable advance of the whites across the Great Plains. In 1864,
officials in Colorado issued an ultimatum. All friendly Indians will
report to local forts and surrender to be protected. Hostiles will
be shot.( The soldiers who shot Lean Bear were ordered to kill
Indians , period.). On November 29, 1864, a colonel named
Chivington attacked the camp of Black Kettle and White Antelope.
When he saw them, White Antelope rode to meet them. As the bullets
tore through him, White Antelope sang a death song.
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| Black Kettle stayed behind and waved an
American flag and a truce flag. Black Kettle told his people
to not worry, that with the flags, they would be safe. But the
soldiers shot at the camp, scattering everyone. Soldiers
killed an estimated 600 horses and mules. Many drunk soldiers
cut off body parts as souvenirs. |
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Chivington wanted a war, he got a war. His
opportunity came when a group of Indians passed by with stock taken
from a field. they were heading back to their ranch when Chivington
fired. The Indians Made a skirmish line, in which all were shot.
Chiefs met the Little Arkansas river, signing away ownership of
lands and agreeing to peace. They moved south of the river, where
they lived like before white man came.
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| The next council was held at Fort Larned with
General Hancock. By the fall of 1864, Hancock was relieved of
command. Grant asked him if he would go to Cold Harbor and
fight. Hancock refused. Hancock was interested to meet the Dog
soldiers. He and soldiers joining him rode to a camp.
The Indians there sent everyone away on ponies. Those who
stayed behind were ordered by Hancock to bring them back. they
did not return. Hancock burned the village to the ground. Dog
soldiers appeared and attacked. When the gallant Roman Nose
was killed, Indians lost all hope. They journeyed to join
Black Kettle. He accepted them warmly. A while later,
Black Kettle was horrified to see Custer and company riding
toward the camp, firing their weapons. Black Kettle and his
wife, Medicine Woman, mounted a horse and were at the bank of
the Washita river when they were shot dead. All the Plains
Indians hesitantly accepted reservation. |
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