Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas
The year was 1859. The vast expanse of the American frontier was a landscape etched with both promise and peril, a meeting ground of cultures and a battleground for dominance. Within this volatile region, tensions simmered between the burgeoning United States and the native tribes who had called these lands home for centuries. The Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas, stands as a stark testament to this era, a clash of arms and wills played out against the backdrop of the Kansas plains.
The seeds of the conflict were sown in the policies of the U.S. government, aimed at westward expansion and the subjugation of Native American tribes. The Comanche, renowned for their equestrian skills and fierce independence, were a particularly formidable obstacle to this expansion. Raiding settlements and challenging military outposts, they became a prime target for the U.S. Army.
In 1858, Brigadier General David S. Twiggs, a seasoned officer with a distinguished career, recognized the need for a firm hand to quell the Comanche resistance. He entrusted Brevet Major Earl Van Dorn with the command of the Second Cavalry, stationed at Fort Belknap, Texas. Van Dorn, a West Point graduate known for his aggressive tactics and unwavering resolve, received a clear directive: to restrain the belligerent Comanche Indians north of the Red River, effectively pushing them away from settled areas and securing the frontier.
The stage was set for confrontation. In late April 1859, Van Dorn meticulously planned and launched an expedition into the heart of Comanche territory. On April 30th, leading six companies of the Second Cavalry, he marched north from a temporary camp located in what is now Oklahoma. The cavalry crossed the Cimarron River, venturing into the expansive plains of Kansas. The landscape was harsh and unforgiving, testing the endurance of both men and horses.
The expedition’s progress was methodical but relentless. On their fourth day in the field, a pivotal event occurred. One of the cavalry’s scouts, diligent in his duties, captured a young Comanche boy. This captive, coerced by circumstances, was forced to lead the cavalry toward his village, unknowingly guiding them toward a fateful encounter.
As the troops pressed onward, signs of native presence became increasingly apparent. They spotted a small band of Comanche warriors engaged in a buffalo hunt, a vital activity for sustenance and survival on the plains. A brief but violent skirmish erupted, resulting in the death of one Comanche warrior. This encounter served as a prelude to the larger conflict that lay ahead, a foreshadowing of the bloodshed to come.
Further along the trail, the cavalry discovered a series of abandoned Indian campsites. These deserted encampments hinted at the presence of a larger group, suggesting that the main Comanche village was not far off. Van Dorn, recognizing the opportunity to strike a decisive blow, pressed his men to follow the fresh Indian trail, fueled by the prospect of engaging the main Comanche force.
The climax approached on May 13th. As the cavalry paused for a midday halt, a seemingly innocuous incident unfolded. Three Comanche Indians were spotted stealthily approaching the Second Cavalry’s horse herd, likely with the intention of stealing or stampeding the animals. This act of daring, or perhaps desperation, triggered a chain of events that would lead directly to the Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas.
Lieutenant William B. Loyall, responding swiftly to the threat, led a chase after the three Comanche intruders. During this pursuit, Loyall made a significant discovery: a large herd of horses, numbering in the hundreds, grazing peacefully not far from a Comanche village nestled along the banks of Crooked Creek. This village, a vital center of Comanche life, was located approximately 18 miles south of the Santa Fe Trail’s Middle Crossing of the Arkansas River. The location had long been a favored campground for the Kiowa and Comanche Indians.
Word of this discovery was immediately relayed to Van Dorn, who recognized the strategic importance of the situation. The Comanche village represented a vulnerable target, a chance to cripple their ability to wage war and assert control over the region. Without hesitation, Van Dorn ordered his troops back into their saddles, preparing them for an immediate assault on the Comanche camp. The Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas, was about to begin.
Van Dorn, a seasoned commander, meticulously planned his attack. He positioned two mounted troops on each side of the river, effectively flanking the village and preventing any escape. Two additional troops were dismounted, forming a line that would sweep down through the river valley, driving the Comanche before them. The attack was designed to be swift, decisive, and overwhelming.
The Comanche, caught off guard but far from defenseless, responded with fierce resistance. Deprived of their horses, a critical element of their fighting style, they took up defensive positions among the bushes and trees that lined the banks of Crooked Creek. From this cover, they unleashed a barrage of arrows and gunfire at the approaching soldiers, attempting to repel the invaders and protect their homes and families.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Comanche were ultimately outmatched. The six companies of well-equipped and disciplined cavalry proved too formidable an opponent. The soldiers pressed their attack relentlessly, their superior firepower and training taking a heavy toll on the Comanche defenders. The Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas, raged with brutal intensity, the air filled with the sounds of gunfire, the screams of the wounded, and the desperate cries of warriors defending their way of life.
When the smoke cleared, the outcome was devastating for the Comanche. Forty-nine Indians lay dead, including eight women, a grim testament to the indiscriminate nature of frontier warfare. Only five men survived the battle, too severely wounded to continue fighting. Thirty-two women were captured, their fate uncertain in the hands of the U.S. Army.
The Second Cavalry also suffered casualties, though far fewer in number. One trooper was killed in action. Lieutenant Lee sustained a serious wound, an arrow piercing his chest. Captain Smith was struck by a bullet in the thigh. Despite their injuries, both officers would eventually recover, later to join the ranks of the Confederacy during the Civil War, adding another layer of complexity to the historical narrative.
Following the battle, Van Dorn made the decision to depart Crooked Creek the same day. He divided his command, leaving two companies near the battle site to provide care for the wounded until they were well enough to travel. This decision reflected both a practical consideration for the well-being of his troops and a strategic awareness of the potential for further conflict.
By May 31st, all the troops had returned to the temporary camp in Oklahoma, bringing with them the wounded, the prisoners, and the grim realities of frontier warfare. The Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas, had come to an end, but its impact would resonate for years to come, shaping the relationship between the United States and the Comanche people, and contributing to the ongoing tragedy of the Indian Wars.
The Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas served as a significant, albeit grim, milestone in the subjugation of the Plains Indians. It showcased the military might of the United States and its willingness to use force to achieve its expansionist goals.