The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-12-05
HOW BLACKKETTLE AND
HIS FORCES WERE
SUBDUED
BATTLE OF THE WASHITA
Anniversary of That Event
Is Told in History.

Cheyenne. okla, Dec SIT was thir-
ty- seven years ago this week that Cen
cral Custer and his troopers OF the
Seventh Cavalry fought the Battle OF
washita, just two miles from the pres
ent site Of Cheyenne, destroyed Black
Kettle and his band OF Cheyennes and
suppressed one OF the most formidable
indian uprisings that ever threatened
the western s.ontier The site OF Black
Kettles village. where the greatest
slaughter took place, is now pleas
ant meadow on the bank Of the Washita
Il has never been plowed. as the rivers
rise overhows it every spring.
The situation was such that Il was up
to Custer TO take prompt and decisive
action The entire tribes of the South
ern Cbeyennes and Arapahoes were pre-
pairing for war, and II they we're not
checked. it seemed likely that they
would take with them the Kiowas. Com
anches and Mescalero Apaches. The at
tack upon Black Kettles village was
complete surprise. Detachments were
placed upon all sides of the village 80
prevent escape. and ive troops formed
Clusters own line of battle.
The signal to attack was TO be the
playing Of Garry owen" by the regi-
mental band. and 1t was just at day
break that the music crashed forth.
The horses sprang forth on n run. in
Guiding those Of the bandsmen, who had
little chance for music I'm their efforts
to control their mounts Some were car
ried into the thick OF tho tight General
Custer himself was mounted on n fine
black stallion. which cleared the trail
crossing Of the washita at single
jump.
The Indians fed before Clusters at
tack. and as tpey tried to pass down
the river they encountered the troops
stationed there under Hamilton and
Barnitz There II was that the fighting
was heaviest Hamilton, who was q
grandson OF Alexander Hamilton, was
shot squarely between the eyes and
sllled. Barnitz was shot throuph the
lungs and so badly wounded that he
never recovered his health and had 70
retire from the service.
a party Of about twenty men. women
and children had taken refuge where
! the caving of the river bank formed a
natural breastwork. They refused 10
surrender and all were killed. Chey-
snne woman was the last survivor Of
that party She was seen by the SOL
diers TO XIII her own child with a
butcher kaife ami then plunge the blade
| into her own breast. In another part
OF the fight women and children we're
being killed by soldiers Of Captain
Myers command That was stopped by
General Custer as soon as it came to
his attention, and they were captured
and placed under guard
! ono detachment OF the Seventh met
I fafa NTtfor Ipo1 Elliott
saw, as he thought a few Indians skulk-
ing in the timber about a mile from
the main battlefield. With only a few
followers he started 70 rout them out.
Ia proved TO be the main body Of the
warriors who were coming back up the
Washlta to engage the troops. They at
tackled Major Elliott and his detach-
ment, killed every one of them and az
terward mutllated the bodies at wal
dance.
That afternoon the flowers OF the hos
tiles, .OCO to 1900 strong, massec
themselves on the buttes north OF ih'
battle ground and tainted the troops
but seldom came within range. Aftel
their herd Of 1000 ponies WAS driver
away and shot to death by two troops o
cavalry, leaving the warriors on foot
little more was seen OF them.
In a forced march that night custe
met his wagon train coming from tn
Antelope hins to join him, and the dan
Z ger Of a diminished supply Of ammuni
tlon vas overcome. lie had moi expect
cd 10 find the Indians IN quite sucl
numbers, and returned to Camp suppl
10 outfit for a heavier campaign. III
was 0ccompmded to the pursuit weel
later by Gen Sheridan, when the hos
tiles were thoroughly subdued am
brought back to their reservations.