He later participated in actions against United States federal and state militia forces. His first engagement against white settlers was at the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, in which 300 Native American warriors from various tribes, angered by settlers' poaching of buffalo, cattle grazing, and theft of horses, attacked a small trading village used by poachers. The battle, led by Comanche leader "Isa-tai" and Chief Quanah Parker, triggered United States government retaliation in the Red River War of 1874–75. Oakerhater may also have participated in the Battle of Washita River and the Sand Creek massacre.