Texas and the Natives After the Civil War

Natives Control the West During the Civil War, troops were moving to the East for fighting which allowed Natives (Comanche and Kiowa) to control West Texas.

Natives Control the West After the Civil War, troops were stationed back in West Texas. There were many problems: Untrained soldiers fighting against the Natives Shortage of supplies and food

Natives Control the West Forts were built too far apart for protecting settlers

Natives Control the West Natives knew the land

Natives Control the West Before the Colt six shooter, it took one minute to fire and reload a gun. In that time a Native could ride 200 yards and shoot 20 arrows. They would draw out the settlers’ fire and then attack while they were reloading.

Search for Peace – 1867 Agents from the U.S. government met with Natives in Kansas and signed a peace treaty called the Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek. According to this, the Natives agreed to go to the reservations in Oklahoma. (Indian Territory)

Search for Peace – 1867 President Grant created a group called Indian agents, they were Quakers, who would be friendly in dealing with the Natives.

Peace Policy Fails Many Kiowa and Comanche refused to go to the reservations. They claimed they were cheated and treated badly by agents.

Peace Policy Fails Satanta, Lone Wolf, Ten Bears, and Quanah Parker are some of the famous Natives who opposed the white settlements moving into Native land. They also wanted to preserve the buffalo.

Peace Policy Ends – 1871 General William Tecumseh Sherman went to West Texas to investigate the Natives raids. While at Fort Richardson in Jacksboro, Kiowas led by Satanta attacked a wagon train. This was known as the Warren Wagontrain Raid.

Peace Policy Ends – 1871 Satanta returned to the Indian Reservation and admitted this raid. He and two others were arrested. One of the three was killed while trying to escape and the other two sentenced to hang. Officials in Washington thought that hanging chiefs would start major war. They paroled the two chiefs and Texans were furious thus ending the peace policy.

Mackenzie Leads Texas Campaigns 1871 – 1873 Mackenzie led operations against the Natives. He defeated the Comanche in the Panhandle and later the Kiowas along the Rio Grande. After his operations, Texas was much more peaceful than before.

The Buffalo 1871 – 1873 The Natives depended heavily on the buffalo using all parts of the buffalo. Buffalo hunters started slaughtering the buffaloes for their hides only.

The Buffalo 1871 – 1873 A bill was sent to Congress to protect the buffalo, but it was killed with the help of Philip Sheridan. He was trying to end the plains culture.

The Buffalo 1871 – 1873 Without the buffalo, the Native Americans planned for war.

Attack on Adobe Walls 1874 In the Panhandle of Texas, Quanah Parker led warriors from 5 Native American nations on an attack on buffalo hunters at Adobe Walls.

Attack on Adobe Walls 1874 The buffalo hunters were able to hold them off, but more Natives left the reservations to join the fight. Over the next 2 months, Indians killed 190 Anglo Americans.

Red River Campaign 1874 – 1875 President Grant called in the troops for a massive hunt down of all Natives. Most Natives went back to the reservations.

Red River Campaign 1874 – 1875 The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon was the most decisive of the Red River Campaign. Mackenzie led the troops in and captured much of the Indians supplies.

Red River Campaign 1874 – 1875 He put down over 1000 horses and destroyed all food that the Natives had had. Without supplies or shelter most Natives from the Panhandle surrendered including Quanah Parker.

South Texas Renegades After the Civil War, many renegades or outlaws were raiding settlements and stealing cattle. Ranchers were also taking land and herds by taking over land owned by people of Mexican heritage Texas Rangers were called in and only added to the problem by mistreating Mexican Americans.

A New Era Begins 1875 No longer would the Natives roam freely. Native children were sent to schools to teach them new ways. Population was almost wiped out of some Native nations. For Anglos, it meant a time to expand and grow.