1. Fort Sill: Valuable Resource on the Southern Plains
Lesson Plan
By Lynn Tilley, NBCT and OKAGE TC
Library Media Specialist
Comanche Public Schools
Comanche, Oklahoma

2. Throughout history, progress or change has had
both positive and negative effects on humans
and the environment. How one perceives the
change, as either good or bad, is influenced by
one’s perspective or relationship to the change
that is happening.

3. Manifest Destiny was a belief widely held
in the 1800s that American settlers were
destined to expand across the continent.

4. The painting American Progress in 1872 by John Gast was an
The painting American Progress in 1872 by John Gast was an
allegorical representation of the modernization of
the new west.

5. George Catlin Painting 1844
This idea affected people in different ways,
especially Native Americans whose lands
were being encroached upon or taken.
George Catlin Painting 1844
Buffalo Hunt Chase
Settlers in Oklahoma
1886

6. Many tribes fought back. The Indian Wars (1860-1890)
Geronimo and his warriors 1886
before his surrender to General Crook
While settlers were eager and joyful at the prospect of
land ownership, native tribes fought back in what was called
the Indian Wars ( ).
Many tribes fought back.
The Indian Wars ( )

8. Fort Sill – Date Unknown – Most Likely Late 1800s
Fort Sill was established by Major General Philip H.
Sheridan, January 8, 1869, during a massive winter campaign
against the Indians. It is the only active Army installation
built during the Indian Wars that survives today.

9. 1st Lieut. Henry Jackson’s, U.S. 7th Cavalry,
1st Lieut. Henry Jackson’s, U.S. 7th Cavalry,
1869 Map of Indian Territory

10. The area was first visited in 1834 by the First Dragoon
George Catlin Painting
Comanche Warriors, with White Flag, Receiving the Dragoons
The area was first visited in 1834 by the First Dragoon
Expedition from Fort Gibson. Led by General Henry
Leavenworth, and later Col. Henry Dodge, members of the
expedition included artist George Catlin, and 1st Lt. Jefferson Davis.

11. Forts, Camps, and Military Roads 1817 -1876
Forts, Camps, and Military Roads

12. http://upload. wikimedia. org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/William_S
Winter of
Photo of Col. Benjamin Grierson and some of his officers at Medicine Bluff Creek. Medicine Bluff, sacred to Native Americans,
can be seen in the background. Col. Grierson was Fort Sill’s first Commanding Officer.

13. Col. Benjamin Grierson was a distinguished military officer with
Col. Benjamin Grierson was a distinguished military officer with
many contributions to our nation during his military career. Of
note, he organized the 10th U.S. Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers), supervised
the building of Fort Sill, and saved the life of visiting General
William Sherman during a confrontation with Kiowa warriors at
Fort Sill, May 27, 1871.

14. 1885 view of Sherman House at Fort Sill
1885 view of Sherman House at Fort Sill
Traditional home of Commanding General
Place where Gen. Sherman incident took place

15. Sherman House as it looks at Fort Sill today
Sherman House as it looks at Fort Sill today

16.
Indian Territory 1869

17. Fort Sill continued to grow.
Early day photo of Fort Sill
Fort Sill continued to grow.

18. 1890s Children being sprinkled with a water
1890s Children being sprinkled with a water
Hose by Lt. Tommy Tompkins, 7th Cavalry.
Old Guard House

19. 1896 – Children’s school held in post chapel.
1896 – Children’s school held in post chapel.

20. 1890 – Kiowa & Comanche Camp near Fort Sill, Indian Territory.
1890 – Kiowa & Comanche Camp near Fort Sill, Indian Territory.

21. In its one hundred forty-four year history, Fort Sill’s mission has
evolved, yet the value of its human resources remains the same.
Many different individuals have spent time at Fort Sill
and made their mark on history. Others perhaps remained nameless,
yet were just as valuable in the settlement of Indian Territory (later
Oklahoma) and our nation. Though standing on both sides of the
concept of Manifest Destiny, they have each made valuable
contributions to our changing nation.

22. Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Calvary were stationed at Fort Sill.
Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Calvary were stationed at Fort Sill.
This is photo of Rough Rider Buffalo Soldiers in late 1890s in
Spanish-American War.

23. 1900 - At Fort Sill, a Dutch Reformed Church mission worker,
At Fort Sill, a Dutch Reformed Church mission worker,
Miss Vos, teaches kitchen work to Apache girls.

24. Poster showing continuing sales of Indian Land in the late 1890s.
Poster showing continuing sales of Indian Land in the late 1890s.
How might these Native Americans have felt about Manifest Destiny?

25. Comanche Chief Quanah Parker Living in a changing world
pload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/Quanahbusiness.GIF
Comanche Chief Quanah Parker
Living in a changing world

26. Star House – Home of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker
Star House – Home of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker
near Fort Sill

27. Children of Quanah Parker
Children of Quanah Parker
Living in two worlds

28. Col. George A. Custer also spent time at Fort Sill.
Col. George A. Custer also spent time at Fort Sill.

29. Geronimo and Son Natches Geronimo and Family at Fort Sill
Geronimo and Son
Natches
Geronimo and Family
at Fort Sill
Geronimo in 1905
Automobile
101 Ranch, I.T.

30. What were their contributions at Fort Sill?
Cadet Henry O. Flipper
Sergeant I-See-O
Kiowa Indian Scout
Col. Albert
Gallatin
Boone
What were their contributions at Fort Sill?

31. To discover how the life of an
Your Assignment:
To discover how the life of an
individual, or group of individuals, was
associated with Fort Sill in the 1800s, what
contribution they made either to the local area,
Indian Territory (later Oklahoma) , or to our
Nation, and what their perspective might
have been regarding the idea of
Manifest Destiny.