The year 1871 marked a grim chapter in the annals of the American West, vividly remembered as the Warren Wagon Train Raid, also tragically known as the Salt Creek Massacre. This brutal encounter between Kiowa warriors and a U.S. Army supply train near Jacksboro, Texas, became a flashpoint in the ongoing conflicts of the Red River War era, drawing the attention of high-ranking military officials and setting a precedent for frontier justice. The events of the Warren Wagon Train Raid not only showcased the fierce resistance of Native American tribes against westward expansion but also exposed the complexities and often harsh realities of life on the Texas frontier.
In the spring of 1871, Henry Warren secured a crucial contract to transport vital supplies to several U.S. Army outposts in Texas, including Fort Richardson, Fort Griffin, and Fort Concho. These forts were essential for maintaining peace and protecting settlers in a region frequently challenged by Native American raids. The wagon train, laden with provisions, embarked on its perilous journey along the Jacksboro-Belknap Road, a desolate and often dangerous route cutting through vast, untamed territory.
An Unforeseen Encounter with General Sherman
On May 18, 1871, as the freight train progressed toward Salt Creek Crossing, an extraordinary and fateful encounter occurred. General William T. Sherman, then Commander of the Division of the Missouri, was on a tour of inspection through Texas, assessing the conditions of the frontier forts and the effectiveness of the military’s Indian policy. Accompanied by a small escort, Sherman’s party crossed paths with a large group of Native Americans. Despite warnings from local scouts about potential hostilities, General Sherman, believing in diplomacy and the current treaty arrangements, allowed the Indians to pass unmolested. He was, at this moment, unknowingly paving the way for a devastating attack that would occur less than an hour later.
Sherman continued his journey, reaching Fort Richardson later that day, completely unaware of the catastrophe that had just unfolded. His decision to let the warriors pass highlights the misunderstandings and misjudgments that often characterized the interactions between the U.S. military and Native American tribes during this turbulent period. This incident would later weigh heavily on his mind, influencing his subsequent actions and resolve regarding the “Indian Problem” on the frontier.
The Attack at Salt Creek Crossing
Just a short distance behind General Sherman’s party, the Warren wagon train was making its way through the same stretch of road. The 12 teamsters, responsible for the valuable cargo, were suddenly confronted by a sight that sent shivers down their spines: a formidable group of approximately 100 Indian warriors emerging from the landscape. These were Kiowa warriors, led by three renowned and formidable chiefs: Satanta (known as Ado-eete, or White Bear), Big Tree (Adoeette), and Satank (Sitting Bear). These chiefs were fiercely independent and deeply resentful of the encroachment on their traditional lands and way of life.
Recognizing the imminent and overwhelming danger, the experienced teamsters quickly responded, attempting to form a defensive ring with their wagons, a common tactic against such attacks. However, the sheer number and ferocity of the Kiowa warriors proved too much for the small, outnumbered group. The attack was swift and brutal. The Kiowa, renowned for their equestrian skills and fighting prowess, swiftly overcame the resistance of the teamsters.
When the assault subsided, the scene was one of devastation. The warriors seized the supplies, a valuable prize for their people, and tragically, seven of the wagoners were killed, their bodies gruesomely mutilated in a manner intended to send a clear message to the encroaching settlers and soldiers. This act of violence, a common practice in frontier warfare, was meant to instill fear and demonstrate defiance. Amidst the chaos and carnage, five men miraculously managed to escape the massacre, fleeing into the harsh Texas wilderness. One of these survivors, Thomas Brazeale, displayed incredible fortitude, traveling some 20 miles on foot to reach the relative safety of Fort Richardson, where he delivered the shocking news of the Warren Wagon Train Raid.
Pursuit and Unforeseen Justice
Upon learning of the horrific attack from Brazeale, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, the commander at Fort Richardson, immediately informed General Sherman. Sherman, who had just arrived at the fort and was still unaware of the raid that had taken place right behind him, was reportedly furious. The news confirmed his worst fears about the escalating tensions on the frontier and solidified his resolve for decisive action. He dispatched Mackenzie to pursue the offending Indians and bring them to justice.
However, the mission to track down the raiders proved unnecessary, or at least, took an unexpected turn. The Kiowa chiefs, after their successful raid, made a critical error in judgment. Following their tradition of claiming rations from the U.S. government, they traveled shortly thereafter to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a location that served as both a reservation agency and a military post. At Fort Sill, the Indian agent, Lawrie Tatum, had already received intelligence about the Warren Wagon Train Raid. Tatum, deeply disturbed by the accounts, began to question Satanta about the recent violence.
In an astonishing display of arrogance or perhaps a misguided sense of pride, Satanta openly boasted about his leadership in the raid, detailing the attack to a horrified Tatum. This confession, combined with other corroborating evidence, provided Tatum with the undeniable proof he needed. He quickly turned the three Kiowa chiefs—Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree—over to General Sherman, who was now fully aware of the extent of the massacre and the chiefs’ involvement. Sherman, now incensed by Satanta’s brazen confession and the audacity of the attack so close to his own path, ordered the warriors to be sent to Jacksboro, Texas, to stand trial for murder. This decision was groundbreaking, as it marked one of the first times Native American chiefs were to be tried in a civilian court for acts committed during wartime, a significant shift from previous military or treaty-based justice systems.
The Road to Trial and Satank’s Defiance
On June 8, 1871, the three bound Kiowa chiefs—Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree—began their somber journey from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, towards Jacksboro, Texas, under heavy military escort. The mood was tense, as both the soldiers and the Kiowa understood the gravity of the situation. For the chiefs, it was an affront to their sovereignty and warrior code; for the military, it was a test of the new policy of holding Native Americans accountable under U.S. law.
During the arduous journey, the elderly Chief Satank, known for his fierce spirit and unwavering pride, made a desperate bid for freedom. As the contingent traveled towards Fort Richardson, he attempted to escape from his restraints, attacking one of his guards. In the ensuing struggle, Satank was shot and killed. His death, a tragic act of defiance, served as a stark reminder of the cultural chasm and the desperate stakes involved in these conflicts. His body was reportedly left by the roadside, a grim warning to any who might consider similar actions.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Subsequent Conflicts
Despite Satank’s death, the trial of Satanta and Big Tree proceeded in Jacksboro, Texas, becoming a sensational event that captivated the nation. It was a landmark case, the first time Native American chiefs were brought before a civilian court for crimes committed during conflict. The jury found them guilty of murder, and both were sentenced to death by hanging. However, Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis, recognizing the potential for widespread retaliation and further violence from the Kiowa and Comanche tribes, wisely commuted their sentences to life imprisonment. This decision, while controversial, was a calculated move to prevent an all-out war on the frontier.
Satanta and Big Tree were imprisoned at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. Their incarceration, however, was not the end of their story. Kiowa Chief Lone Wolf, a powerful and influential leader, tirelessly negotiated for their early release. His persistent efforts, coupled with the ongoing tensions and the desire to prevent further bloodshed, eventually swayed Governor Davis. In October 1873, Satanta and Big Tree were released from prison, under the stringent condition that their people maintain good behavior and cease all hostile actions. This parole was a tenuous peace, constantly tested by the underlying grievances and desires for autonomy.
The conditional release proved fragile. The very next year, in 1874, Satanta and his warriors were once again on the warpath, participating in significant engagements such as the Second Battle of Adobe Walls. This renewed hostility demonstrated the deep-seated grievances that could not be easily quelled by imprisonment or political promises. Satanta was subsequently recaptured and returned to prison, where, disheartened and stripped of his freedom, he tragically committed suicide in 1878 by throwing himself from a second-story window of the prison hospital. His death marked the end of a powerful and defiant Kiowa leader.
Big Tree, however, chose a different path after his second capture. Along with other chiefs believed to be secretly hostile, he was confined as a prisoner at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After his eventual release, he lived out his remaining years on a reservation allotment, embracing a more settled life. He died in 1929, a long life lived through immense societal change and conflict, embodying the transition of his people from independent warriors to reservation dwellers.
The Legacy of the Warren Wagon Train Raid
The Warren Wagon Train Raid stands as a profoundly significant event in the history of the American frontier. It was more than just a single attack; it was a catalyst that hardened General Sherman’s stance on Native American resistance, leading to more aggressive military campaigns aimed at subduing the Plains tribes. The trial and imprisonment of Satanta and Big Tree also established a controversial precedent, asserting the jurisdiction of U.S. law over Native American combatants, a move that was deeply resented by many tribes who viewed themselves as sovereign nations.
This episode is a stark reminder of the violence, the clashes of cultures, and the desperate struggles for survival that defined the American West during the Indian Wars. It highlights the bravery and resilience of both the settlers and the Native Americans, each fighting for their perceived rights and ways of life. The names Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree became etched into the historical narrative as symbols of resistance, while the tragic loss of life at Salt Creek Crossing underscored the brutal cost of westward expansion.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment on the Frontier
The Warren Wagon Train Raid, also known as the Salt Creek Massacre, remains a vivid and somber reminder of the intense conflicts that characterized the American frontier in the late 19th century. From General Sherman’s unwitting proximity to the raid to the unprecedented trial of Kiowa chiefs Satanta and Big Tree, this event encapsulates the complex interplay of military strategy, Native American resistance, and the evolving legal framework of the United States. It was a defining moment that irrevocably shaped the lives of those involved and contributed significantly to the trajectory of the Indian Wars. The legacy of the raid serves as a crucial historical account, shedding light on the harsh realities and often tragic consequences of westward expansion and the clash of two distinct worlds.
