Black Seminole Scouts Protecting the Texas Frontier
The vast and unforgiving landscape of the American West in the late 19th century was a crucible, forging legends from the disparate peoples who sought to tame it. Among these figures, the Black Seminole Scouts stand out as a unique and vital force in maintaining order and securing the Texas frontier. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and unparalleled skill in the face of prejudice and hardship. It is a tale woven from the threads of Seminole tradition, African heritage, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
The roots of the Black Seminole Scouts lie in the complex history of the Seminole Nation. Originally residing in the swampland of Florida, the Seminoles offered refuge to escaped slaves, known as Maroons. This union of African and Native American cultures resulted in a unique blend of traditions, customs, and survival skills. By 1812, the Maroons had integrated into the Seminole Confederation, forming a powerful alliance. However, the relentless pressure of westward expansion and the institution of slavery forced the Seminoles westward, culminating in their removal to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma, by 1841.
The relocation did not bring peace. An 1845 treaty stipulated that the Seminoles share land with the Creek Nation. But the Creek, a slave-holding tribe, refused to recognize the rights of freed blacks or Seminole Maroons, denying them the right to live within their territory or bear arms. This injustice spurred a significant migration. In 1849, led by Seminole leader Wild Cat and Maroon leader John Horse, a large contingent of Seminoles and Maroons sought refuge in Mexico.
Initially, the Mexican government welcomed the migrants, employing them as militiamen to combat raids by Comanche and Lipan Apache warriors. In exchange for their service, they received land, provisions, weapons, and ammunition. The Black Seminole Scouts found a purpose and a degree of autonomy in this new land, demonstrating their prowess as warriors and trackers. However, the initial goodwill of the Mexican government gradually waned, and federal officials began to neglect their needs.
After the creation of the Seminole Nation in 1856 and the death of Wild Cat from smallpox in 1857, many Seminoles returned to Indian Territory. The Seminole Maroons, however, remained in Mexico, fearing re-enslavement if they crossed back into the United States. It wasn’t until the end of the Civil War in 1865, with the abolition of slavery, that the possibility of returning to the United States became a viable option. This historical context sets the stage for the emergence of the Black Seminole Scouts as a formal military unit.
With the Civil War concluded, the U.S. Army turned its attention to securing the western frontier. Recognizing the unique skills and knowledge of the Seminole Maroons, the Army began recruiting them in 1870, creating the Black Seminole Indian Scouts. On August 16, 1870, Major Zenas R. Bliss enlisted an initial detachment of thirteen scouts from a group of approximately 100 who had recently arrived at Fort Duncan, near Eagle Pass, Texas, from their settlements in northern Mexico. Sub-chief John Kibbetts was commissioned as a sergeant, providing leadership and experience within the unit.
The families of these men, along with other members of Kibbetts’s band, established a camp on Elm Creek near Fort Duncan, providing a base of support for the scouts. As word of their effectiveness spread, more Black Seminoles arrived, eager to join their ranks. By the end of 1871, Major Bliss had increased the number of enlistees to 31.
The U.S. Army provided them with arms, ammunition, and rations, and paid them the standard salary of privates in the regular army, formally recognizing their military status. Their early successes along the Rio Grande quickly attracted the attention of other officers. In July 1872, Lieutenant Colonel Wesley Merritt persuaded Major Bliss to transfer some scouts and their families north to Fort Clark, near Brackettville, Texas.
The arrival of the Black Seminole Scouts at Fort Clark marked a new chapter in their history. They found their first permanent commander in Lieutenant John Lapham Bullis, a white Quaker from New York State who had served as an officer in the 118th U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War. Despite his initial inexperience with Native American affairs, the 32-year-old Bullis quickly earned the respect of his men by sharing their hardships in the field and advocating for the needs of their families. He recognized their exceptional toughness, skills, and character, and under his command, the scouts achieved their greatest renown.
Within months of Bullis taking command, the Black Seminole Scouts played a crucial role in Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie’s raid against a hostile Kickapoo camp near El Remolino, Coahuila, Mexico, in May. The expedition relied heavily on the scouts’ ability to prevent contact with Mexican soldiers and ensure a swift withdrawal after the mission. Their performance earned them Mackenzie’s respect, who subsequently employed them in his campaign against Comanche and Kiowa camps in Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle a year later.
In the unfamiliar terrain of the Texas Panhandle, the scouts demonstrated their extraordinary skills as trackers and fighters. After the events of the Red River War, the Indian threat to West Texas was significantly reduced. However, small raiding parties continued to pose a threat, either venturing from the reservation near Fort Sill, Indian Territory, or crossing the border from their mountain refuges in Mexico. From 1875 to 1881, the Black Seminole Scouts spent much of their time tracking and engaging these raiding parties.
Perhaps the most celebrated engagement of the Black Seminole Scouts occurred on April 25, 1875, near the Pecos River. Lieutenant John L. Bullis and three of his scouts had been tracking a group of 25 to 30 Indians for four days, finally catching up to them as they crossed the river with a herd of approximately 75 horses. The scouts, dismounting, stealthily approached within 75 yards of the Indians. Bullis, identifying them as Comanche, initiated an attack, killing three and wounding a fourth. After being pinned down for 45 minutes, the Comanche assessed the scouts’ positions and numbers, flanked them, and launched a counter-attack.
Bullis ordered a retreat, but soon realized he was separated from his men. His horse had spooked before he could mount it, and the Comanche were closing in. Without hesitation, the scouts turned back to rescue their commander, risking their lives under heavy fire. Trooper Pompey Factor and Trumpeter Isaac Payne provided covering fire, while Sergeant John Ward rode directly to Bullis and pulled him onto the back of his horse, saving his life. For their extraordinary bravery and selfless actions, Soldiers Ward, Factor, and Payne were each awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest commendation for valor in combat. Private Adam Payne had previously received the same award for his gallantry in the Red River War.
Despite their distinguished service record, the Black Seminole Scouts faced significant challenges. The land where they lived near Fort Clark was targeted for public sale, threatening their community. They also encountered conflicts with outlaw gangs, such as John King Fisher’s gang, in the area around Brackettville, resulting in the loss of some of their members. In 1882, Lieutenant Bullis was transferred to Indian Territory, removing a key advocate for the scouts. Without his influence, rations were reduced, and despite lobbying efforts by Bullis, Mackenzie, Colonel Edward Hatch, and even General Philip H. Sheridan, they were unable to secure title to their land near Fort Clark, leading many to leave the ranks.
In August 1914, the last 16 Black Seminole Scouts were mustered out of service, marking the end of an era. For over four decades, from 1872 to 1914, these dedicated men had protected the West Texas frontier from Apache and Comanche raiders. During this time, they participated in 26 major missions, resulting in 12 battles, without a single scout being wounded or killed in combat, a testament to their exceptional skills and courage.
Today, the Army’s elite Special Forces utilize the crossed arrows insignia of the Indian Scouts, a symbol of the legacy and contributions of these remarkable men.
The graves of all four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, along with numerous other family members and scouts, are located in the Seminole Negro Indian Scout Cemetery, west of Fort Clark, on FM 3348, 3.1 miles south of Highway 90. This site stands as a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Seminole Canyon, northwest of Del Rio, Texas, bears the name of these brave soldiers, who often used a watering hole there as a campsite during their patrols. The canyon serves as a geographic reminder of their presence and their role in shaping the history of the region. The story of the Black Seminole Scouts is a powerful reminder of the diverse and often overlooked contributions of minority groups to the history of the American West. Their courage, skill, and dedication to duty deserve to be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.