1. War on the Plains!
Ch. 20

2. Overview
The Basics!
The Civil War/Reconstruction affected the relationship between Natives and Texans
The Federal Government is about to bring the hammer down!
Natives are going to be headed to reservations...but not without a fight!

3. Change on the Horizon
Most settlements were left open to raids when soldiers went off to war
Plains Natives took advantage of their absence
Between 1865 and 1867 there were many federal troops in TX, but not enough to protect the frontier and the settlers!
Attempt to Reconcile #1: a formal agreement (treaty)

4. Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek
Federal troops go to Kansas to negotiate with Comanche, Kiowa, and other plains natives
Gov’t offers 3 million acres of land for a reservation in Indian Territory
Several thousand Comanche, Apache, and Kiowa moved and the gov’t agreed to provide buildings for schools, $25,000 and tools

6. Small Success, Large Failure
Natives had to stop fighting and start farming
Government food supplies, aide, money, etc. were intercepted or sold illegally and never made it to the reservations (hello, government corruption!)
Supplies that did make it weren’t enough to make up the difference so often natives lacked basic necessities and food
Buffalo were being hunted to extinction...we will come back to this

7. War on the Plains is Coming...
Natives are still riled up! Natives on the reservation were upset with their quality of life. Natives on the plains were upset with westward expansion.

8. A Series of Unfortunate Events:
A Series of Unfortunate Events:
A group of Kiowas attack a stagecoach near Fort Richardson
Kiowa and Comanche groups attack a wagon trail near Salt Creek, which will prompt the arrest of several Indian leaders
In response to Salt Creek, the U.S. War Department plans attacks on Natives who refuse to live on reservations
Federal Troops meet with Quanah Parker (last chief of the Comanche) at Blanco Canyon
By the end of 1873, General Mackenzie (recommended by General Grant...remember him?) brought a stop to most of the border raids

9. Important Individuals
Quanah Parker
General Mackenzie

10. Battle of Adobe Walls (June 1874)
The Last Stand
Battle of Adobe Walls (June 1874)
About 700 Comanche and Kiowa are led by Quanah Parker
Natives unsuccessfully attack the trading post trying to run buffalo hunters out

11. Battle of Palo Duro Canyon (Sept. 1874)
The Last Stand (cont.)
Battle of Palo Duro Canyon (Sept. 1874)
General Mackenzie and 500 U.S. Troops launched a surprise attack on Natives camped near Amarillo
The attack caught Natives off guard and they fled, abandoning their camp, supplies, horses, etc.
This defeat ultimately forced the Natives on to reservations and ended the era of control that Natives used to have on the plains

12. The End of the Buffalo
Railroad companies cleared thousands of acres to build lines
Non-Native hunters killed for sport, profit (hides), and food
Used “buffalo guns” with telescopes to hunt from a still position
According to the terms of the Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek buffalo hunters weren’t allowed on reservation land, but the army did not enforce it
Between 1872 and MILLION buffalo were killed