1. Closing the Frontier 1866-1888

2. The Frontier Wars

3. “My people have never first drawn a bow or fired a gun against the whites. There has been trouble on the line between us and my young men have danced the war dance. But it was not begun by us…if the Texans had kept out of my country, there might have been peace. But that which you now say we must live on is too small. The Texans have taken away places where the grass grew the thickest and the timber was the best. The white man has the country which we loved, and we only wish to wander the prairie until we die.” Ten Bears, Comanche leader

4. Ten Bears Comanche leader

5. A History of Conflict Conflict with Native Americans started as soon as Europeans arrived in North America Mexico continued to fight Indians over land after gaining independence from Spain Conflicts continued when Anglos settled in Texas The Republic of Texas continued to fight Indians for land

6. A History of Conflict When Texas became a state, the U.S. Army entered the conflict on the frontier The absence of troops during the Civil War weakened frontier defenses Indians in West Texas and Mexico attacked settlements on frontier and pushed settlers farther east

7. Soldiers Defending Texas After the Civil War, U.S. troops returned to the Texas frontier in 1867 Texans wanted troops to help stop Indian raids – set up forts Native Americans had several advantages over the soldiers: ◦ Hit-and-run tactics (strike/escape) ◦ Better fighters on horseback ◦ Knew the land in Texas well

8. Medicine Lodge Treaty After years of conflict, tribal leaders met with U.S. government in Kansas in 1867 They signed the Medicine Lodge Treaty A treaty is a formal agreement between two nations Indians agreed to move to reservations in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) Agreed to stop raiding white settlements The government would provide the Indians with food and supplies

9. Medicine Lodge Treaty Some Natives believed the treaty would bring peace Many Comanches and Kiowas opposed treaty and moving to the reservations They wanted to live on the plains as hunters and raiders – NOT give up their traditional way of life U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant sent Quakers to the reservations but Quaker peace plan failed

10. Medicine Lodge Treaty

11. Salt Creek Massacre In 1871, President Grant sent army General William Sherman to Texas Satanta (Kiowa leader) led 100 warriors to raid a wagon train at Salt Creek They killed seven teamsters and burned the wagons This massacre outraged Texans and caused the army to change their policy No longer just defended the frontier – they moved all Indians onto reservations

12. Salt Creek Massacre SatantaKiowaChief

13. Army Leadership General William Sherman ◦ Union hero during the Civil War ◦ Commanded the Army General Philip Sheridan ◦ Directed campaign against Indians General Ranald Mackenzie ◦ Led Red River War ◦ Best Indian fighter in the West

14. Army Leadership Sherman Sheridan Mackenzie

15. Native American Leadership Quanah Parker ◦ Son of a Comanche father and a white mother, Cynthia Ann Parker ◦ Comanche warrior and leader Lone Wolf ◦ Kiowa leader who did not sign the Medicine Lodge Treaty ◦ Opposed settlement on reservations

16. Quanah Parker – Comanche Lived in two worlds Comanches captured his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker, when she was a child She adopted Indian culture and married a Comanche war chief In 1860, Texas Rangers killed Quanah’s father and captured Cynthia Ann Quanah left behind with Comanches and became skilled warrior

17. Quanah Parker – Comanche In 1875, he surrendered to U.S. cavalry Quanah adapted to white culture and helped other Indians do the same Quanah became wealthy through ranching and investing He established many important white friendships, including President Theodore Roosevelt He died on February 23, 1911 at the age of 66

18. Quanah Parker

19. Frontier Wars In 1871, more soldiers and horses arrived to enforce the reservation policy U.S. troop strategies: ◦ Attacked Indian villages ◦ Captured food, blankets and supplies ◦ Burned villages and killed horses Army tried another tactic to defeat the Native Americans

20. The Buffalo The army destroyed the buffalo – the major food source for Plains Indians The army nearly drove the buffalo to extinction Extinction – complete destruction Without buffalo to hunt, the Plains Indians could NOT support their way of life

21. The Buffalo

22. Adobe Walls In 1874, Quanah Parker and Lone Wolf led an attack on a camp of hunters at Adobe Walls Several Comanches, Kiowas and Cheyennes surrounded the hunters After 5 days, the Indians had to retreat This became known as the Battle of Adobe Walls and led to the Red River War

23. Red River War War between soldiers and Indians took place in the Panhandle Texas Rangers joined the fighting led by John B. Jones Key battle took place at Palo Duro Canyon led by Ranald Mackenzie Soldiers captured the Indians’ horses and entire winter food supply Indians’ surrendered and most moved to the reservations

24. Red River War Adobe Walls Palo Duro Canyon

25. Red River War Palo Duro Canyon

26. Rio Grande Campaigns In 1877, the government ordered the Apaches onto a reservation in Arizona Victorio, Apache chief, and several hundred Apaches left the reservation and led raids across Southwest/Mexico American and Mexican forces pursued Victorio and his people and they escaped into Mexico Mexican forces killed him and most of his warriors

27. Rio Grande Campaigns Victorio, Apache chief

28. Buffalo Soldiers Two units chasing Apaches were African American troops led by white officers Called Buffalo Soldiers – a name of respect for courage and strength Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper was first African American graduate of West Point He served on the Texas frontier for four years but faced unfair treatment Dismissed from army in 1882 but granted honorable discharge in 1976

29. Buffalo Soldiers Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper

30. The War Ends After January 1881, Indian resistance in Texas ended Texas Frontier Wars had a terrible effect on Indians Many Indians died in battle protecting their tribal lands Many more died from hunger and diseases, such as small pox and cholera They lost their traditional way of life on the reservations and most were unhappy

31. The War Ends Victory in the Frontier Wars opened the entire state of Texas to white settlement Cattle ranchers moved into West Texas New railroad lines crossed all parts of the state Settlers built homes, schools and churches The Texas frontier had closed

32. Quiz 1. In the Medicine Lodge Treaty, the Indians agreed to move to reservations in Indian Territory in exchange for … A. the right to vote in national elections B. government representation C. food and supplies D. the right to practice their own religion 2. Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? A. Buffalo hunters sent to destroy the Indians’ food source B. African American troops who fought in the Frontier Wars C. Vigilante soldiers hired to kill Indians D. Quakers sent to peacefully run the reservations