American West: 1861-76

Lesson 6: The Battle of Washita

When the Smoke Cleared on the Washita

Washita Valley

When the fighting on the Washita had ended ,Major Joel Elliott along with fourteen men including Sergeant-Major Kennedy and three corporals, were missing. No one knew where they had gone until a trooper said that several Indians had attempted to escape. The trooper had observed Elliot and some other soldiers going in pursuit of them. A troop was ordered to go in search of the missing men but before they could depart Indians were seen collecting in a heavy force on the bluffs above the village.

Custer’s army had killed nearly all of Black Kettle’s band and the Indians that had escaped had run away. It could not be imagined what this ever increasing force of Indians, arrayed in full battle appointments, could mean. Actually, the answer to this mystery was simple. But Custer had to inquire among his captives before the truth of his precarious situation dawned upon him.

Custer had made a serious mistake, one that could be a fatal error. He had failed, prior to the attack, to have the entire area scouted for possible additional bands of Indians camped in the area. Not only the Cheyennes but also the principal bands of the Kiowas, Arapahoes, some Dog Soldiers, Comanches, and one band of Apaches had chosen this sheltered valley for a winter camp. Nearly six thousand Indians, including about two thousand warriors, were camped here.

The situation forced Custer to let the whereabouts of Elliot and his men go for the moment. At once he prepared his command for a desperate battle for their lives.

Little Raven, Arapaho

As Little Raven of the Arapahoe, Satanta of the Kiowa, and Black Kettle’s successor, Little Rock, led their force of some two thousand enraged fighting men down upon the white soldiers, Custer was well aware that his ammunition was running dangerously low.

Kiowa Chief Satanta

As the battle raged the Indians were at first unaware that Major Bell, the quartermaster, with a small escort, had plunged a wagon loaded with ammunition right into their midst. Bell’s brave deed turned the tide of the battle, allowing the troops to drive their attackers off.

Captain James M. Bell

Sources seem to disagree as to what point the herd of Indian ponies were killed. One source puts the slaughter after the two thousand Indians were beaten off. Perhaps there were more ponies that also needed disposing of at this time. It seems an unimportant point, but if the ponies were not slaughtered until after the attack by the two thousand was over, it may explain why a troop was not sent out to look for Elliot and his men at this time. Granted, Custer did not want the escaped Indians regaining possession of the ponies, but it is hard to believe this would be placed in a higher position of importance than locating some of his valuable men. Perhaps locating Elliot and his men registered the same value as the release of the white woman and her child that was held captive by the Cheyennes, of which the negotiations were canceled.

Here's another interesting article about an Indian leader who did not want whites coming into his land.

Chief Pocatello By Elizabeth Gibson http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_... In August of 1862, Pocatello led a charge against a wagon train traveling through the City of Rocks, in south central Idaho. A few days later, they attacked two other wagon trains near the Snake River.

Sources for this section are:

Brady, Cyrus Townshend. The Sioux Indian Wars, From the Powder River to the Little Big Horn. Indian Head Books, New York, 1992.

Connell, Evan S. Son of the Morning Star: Custer and the Little Bighorn. North Point Press, San Francisco, California, 1984.

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