Fighting the Comanche on the Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail, a vital artery of commerce and westward expansion in the 19th century, was not without its perils. Beyond the harsh landscapes and unpredictable weather, travelers faced a significant threat: the Comanche. These skilled warriors, masters of the plains, posed a constant danger to those traversing their territory. This account, drawn from the writings of Colonel Henry Inman, offers a glimpse into the experiences of early traders and travelers confronting the Comanche along this legendary trail.

This narrative, based on firsthand accounts, recounts the trials and tribulations of early expeditions along the Santa Fe Trail. It unveils the constant threat posed by the Comanche, offering a raw and visceral understanding of the dangers inherent in westward expansion. The story highlights the resourcefulness, bravery, and sheer determination required to navigate the unforgiving landscape and its formidable inhabitants.

The year is 1828. Inspired by tales of riches and adventure in Mexican territories, a group of young men from Franklin, Missouri, embarked on an ambitious journey. Their destination: Santa Fe. What set this expedition apart was their choice of transport. Instead of relying on traditional pack animals, they opted for wagons – a bold innovation that would forever alter the landscape of trade and travel across the Great Plains.

Their journey began with optimism, but the vast expanse of the plains soon humbled them. As one member of the party recounts, they traversed a "vast wilderness," marked only by the presence of buffalo and antelope. The initial days were uneventful, but the travelers were soon confronted with the realities of the Fighting the Comanche on the Santa Fe Trail. They reached the Arkansas River, crossed it, and ventured into what was then known as the "Great American Desert." This arid landscape presented a new challenge: a severe lack of water. For two long days and nights, they endured the relentless thirst, pushing their animals and themselves to the brink.

Relief came in the form of the Cimarron River, a "cool, sparkling stream" that revitalized the parched travelers and their animals. However, their respite was short-lived. A large encampment of Native Americans, the Comanche, dotted the riverbanks. The travelers felt a sense of foreboding. The furtive glances and knowing looks exchanged among the warriors hinted at potential trouble. They suspected the Comanche knew of their plans to return from New Mexico with a valuable herd of mules and ponies and were lying in wait.

Despite their apprehensions, the Comanche did not immediately attack. The wagon train proceeded cautiously, reaching Santa Fe without further incident on July 20th. They navigated the customs house, secured permission to trade, and sold their goods. Most of the party, eager to return home, quickly sold out and departed, leaving 21 men behind to finalize their business.

September 1st marked the beginning of the return journey for those who had remained in Santa Fe. They set out with a substantial caravan: 150 mules and horses, four wagons, and a considerable amount of silver coin, earned from their trade. All went well until they reached the Upper Cimarron Springs, intending to make camp for the night. It was there, atop a hill, that they encountered a sight that sent shivers down their spines. A massive Comanche camp lay before them, its inhabitants clearly poised for robbery and murder.

The travelers realized they were trapped. The mountainous terrain offered no escape to the sides, and turning back was unthinkable. Their only option was to pass directly through the Comanche camp. Summoning all their courage, they advanced, rifles at the ready. The Comanche chief greeted them with a deceptive smile, inviting them to stay the night, promising protection for their stock and plenty of buffalo meat.

Aware of the peril, the travelers pressed on, attempting to move through the camp as quickly as possible. However, their caution was not enough. As Captain Means, Ellison, and the narrator lagged slightly behind the wagons, the Comanche revealed their true intentions. They seized the travelers’ bridle reins and opened fire. Ellison and the narrator managed to escape, but Captain Means, a brave man, fell victim to the Comanche’s brutality. He was shot, scalped, and left to die, his lifeblood staining the ground.

The remaining travelers fought their way out of the camp, retreating about half a mile before darkness forced them to halt. They corralled their wagons for protection, tethered a bell mare to a stake to prevent a stampede, and braced themselves for a night of relentless attacks. The Comanche launched furious charges throughout the night, but the travelers, resolved to defend themselves to the death, managed to hold their ground. The Fighting the Comanche on the Santa Fe Trail was now a brutal reality.

The following days were a harrowing ordeal. For four days, they endured constant harassment, making only five miles each day. The Comanche employed a strategy of surrounding the travelers, retreating to regroup, and then launching sudden attacks, leaving the travelers exhausted and sleep-deprived.

Upon leaving the Cimarron River, the travelers emerged onto the open plains, hoping to have escaped the Comanche’s grasp. However, their respite was short-lived. At midday, the Comanche descended upon them again, their "demoniacal yells" stampeding the horses and mules, leaving the travelers stranded. During the chaos, a member of the party, Hitt, was captured but miraculously escaped, despite suffering sixteen wounds from bullets, tomahawks, and spears.

Enraged by the loss of one of their own, the Comanche withdrew, giving the travelers a temporary reprieve. They used this time to construct breastworks from their wagons, harnesses, and saddles, preparing for another assault. From noon until two hours into the night, under the dim moonlight, the Comanche launched wave after wave of attacks on their makeshift fortifications.

As darkness enveloped the plains, the travelers faced a dire choice: stand their ground and fight to the death, or attempt a desperate escape under the cover of night. After a somber council of war, they opted for escape. They abandoned their wagons, along with a significant amount of silver coin, taking only what they could carry. Like "specters," they slipped into the darkness, fleeing the scene of death and destruction.

Their path lay eastward, but they veered north to avoid the Comanche. They traveled through the night, the following day, and part of the next night, reaching the Arkansas River. Depleted and exhausted, having eaten only prickly pears during their flight, they decided to lighten their loads. They buried the majority of their silver coin – over 10,000 silver dollars – on a small island in the river, marking the spot between two cottonwood trees.

Relieved of their burden, they hunted buffalo and antelope, enjoying a saltless and breadless meal that tasted better than any they had ever eaten. They continued north for three or four days, reaching Pawnee Fork and following it for over a week, eventually rejoining the old Santa Fe Trail. They followed the trail for three days, reaching Walnut Creek, and then turned eastward towards Cow Creek.

By this point, they were utterly exhausted, weakened by a diet of solely buffalo meat. Desperate, they decided to send five of their strongest members, including the narrator, ahead to Independence, Missouri, 200 miles away, to seek assistance. The remaining fifteen would struggle on as best they could.

The journey to Independence was an ordeal in itself. They lacked blankets, and the weather was turning cold. Some were barefoot, their feet bleeding with every step. Weakness led to deafness, rendering them unable to hear a gunshot fired at close range. Two men collapsed, unable to carry their weapons any further, pleading for water. The others pressed on, eventually finding a muddy puddle from which they drew a half-bucket of black, thick water, a life-saving treasure.

They reached the Big Blue River in Missouri, where they discovered a cabin occupied by poor but generous women. The women, initially frightened by their skeletal appearance, offered them stewed pumpkin, a welcome sustenance. Two men arrived and took three of the travelers to their homes. The survivors had subsisted for eleven days on a single turkey, a coon, a crow, some elm bark, and a few wild grapes. They had not tasted bread or salt for 32 days.

The newly found friends arranged for horses and guided them to Independence the next day. The town was in the midst of a general muster, and the sight of the ragged, emaciated travelers caused a sensation. Business was suspended as the entire population gathered to hear their story and offer assistance.

The travelers recounted the plight of their fifteen comrades struggling behind them. Within minutes, seven men set out with fifteen horses to rescue them. They found the remaining travelers scattered along the trail, just in time to save them from starvation and exhaustion. The good people of Independence vied with each other in their care, and the survivors gradually recovered.

Despite the horrors they had endured, the lure of the Santa Fe Trail proved too strong to resist. The following spring, they embarked on another journey. Major Riley, with four companies of regular soldiers, was assigned to escort the Santa Fe traders’ caravans to the border between the United States and Mexico. The original travelers joined the expedition, hoping to recover the money they had buried.

The command left Fort Leavenworth around May 10th. Many of the troops, unfamiliar with buffalo, engaged in wanton slaughter. At Walnut Creek, they recovered a cannon that had been lost in the stream two years prior and caught an abundance of fish. One morning, the camp was thrown into chaos when a band of Indians drove a massive herd of buffalo directly into their midst.

The troops fired volleys into the herd, killing hundreds. The command marched in two columns, forming a hollow square at night for defense. Rattlesnakes and horned toads were frequent unwelcome guests in their bedding.

On July 10th, they reached the border and went into camp. The next day, Major Riley sent a squad of soldiers to escort the narrator and another member of the original party to recover the buried $10,000. They found the coin intact, though the water had eroded the earth, exposing the silver. They secured the money and deposited it with Major Riley. As they traveled towards Santa Fe, their advanced guard encountered Indians. Samuel Lamme was killed, riddled with arrows, his head severed, and his body stripped of clothing. The cannon, initially unusable, was eventually brought to bear, scattering the Indians.

Troops from the Arkansas River crossing arrived to provide assistance. The next morning, the hills were covered with 2,000 Indians, but the arrival of the soldiers deterred them from attacking. Major Riley accompanied them for a few days before returning to his camp. The Fighting the Comanche on the Santa Fe Trail was a constant threat.

They traveled for a week, meeting 100 Mexicans hunting buffalo on the plains. They waited for the Mexicans to prepare the dried meat and then traveled together towards Santa Fe.

At Rabbit-Ear Mountain, the Indians had constructed breastworks. The Mexicans, in the lead, killed one Indian before discovering the ambush. They passed Point of Rocks and camped on the river. One of the Mexicans killed a panther, but the next morning, his companion was killed by Indians while helping him skin the animal.

They changed their destination to Taos, but the governor sent troops to stop them, as Taos was not a designated point of entry. The soldiers accompanied them to Santa Fe, where they sold their goods and prepared for the return trip.

When they were ready to leave, seven priests and wealthy families joined them, traveling in carriages. The Mexican government ordered Colonel Viscarra to escort them with five troops of cavalry to Major Riley’s camp.

They experienced no trouble until they reached the Cimarron River. At sunset, sentinels spotted a group of 100 Indians approaching. The Indians made friendly overtures, but the Pueblo Indians in Colonel Viscarra’s command suspected foul play. When one of the Indians put his gun to the interpreter’s chest and pulled the trigger, a bloody battle ensued. Several of Viscarra’s men and mules were killed. The Indians were eventually driven off, with 35 killed.

The Pueblo Indians celebrated by scalping the dead Indians and performing a war dance.

The next day, they continued their march, arriving safely at the border, where they expected to find Major Riley. However, his term had expired, and he had returned to Fort Leavenworth. A courier was sent to intercept him, and both commands camped together for several days, comparing military discipline. Colonel Viscarra admired the American small arms before taking his leave.

They arrived at Fort Leavenworth late in the season. The narrator received his share of the recovered money and bid farewell to his comrades.

Another account of the same trip, recorded by Mr. Hitt, highlights the challenges of finding fuel on the plains. Initially, the travelers struggled to start a fire until they discovered an abundance of buffalo chips, which provided an excellent fuel source.

Upon arriving in Santa Fe, their wagon train, the first of its kind to traverse the town’s narrow streets, attracted considerable attention. After resting and purchasing new stock, they prepared for the return trip, laden with gold and silver.

On the third day of their return journey, their entire herd was stampeded by thieves. A party was sent back to Santa Fe to recover the stolen animals, but they were met with laughter by the officials. They were, however, able to repurchase the animals for a small sum.

Three hundred miles eastward, believing themselves safe from attack, they relaxed their vigilance. One morning, before dawn, they were awakened by a cacophony of noise, signaling an impending attack. A large band of Indians appeared, engaging them in a continuous battle. The travelers, careful to conserve their ammunition, inflicted casualties on the Indians, who eventually retreated, leaving the travelers stranded.

Thirty-five pioneers found themselves on the wild prairie, surrounded by enemies, without transportation, and 500 miles from the nearest settlements. Their money was useless.

After the last Indian disappeared, each man recounted his narrow escapes. Many were wounded, including Hitt, who suffered six wounds.

Realizing their dire situation, they decided to inspect the surrounding area for any stray animals. Hitt, returning to camp alone, was ambushed by three Indians. He managed to fend them off until his comrades arrived to rescue him. Despite being tomahawked three times, he survived the attack.

By sundown, all the men had returned to camp, empty-handed. They guarded the wagons through the night and, the next morning, shouldered their rifles and began their long trek home.

They soon discovered that their abandoned wagons had been burned, confirming that they were constantly being watched by the Indians.

The initial days of their march were marked by heavy burdens and dwindling supplies. It became clear that their provisions would not last until they reached the settlements. Expert hunters were sent out in search of game, but even the birds seemed to have deserted the desolate landscape.

After eight days of travel, they had less than 100 pounds of flour remaining. For two weeks, each person was rationed a single spoonful of flour mixed with water, three times a day.

Fortune smiled upon them when a hunter returned with a turkey. A crow was also shot and added to the feast.

A scarcity of water added to their woes. They were forced to drink from a buffalo wallow, sucking the moist clay. Exhausted and weak, they could barely continue.

They decided to establish a temporary camp, where the weakest could rest while the strongest searched for game. The hunters were successful, killing two buffaloes and other smaller animals.

With renewed energy and an abundance of food, they resumed their march homeward. They were now in the buffalo range, and the hunters were able to keep their larder full, avoiding starvation.

Concerned about the uncertainty of their food supply and burdened by their money, they decided to bury it. They buried their treasure on an island in the river, taking great care to conceal the location.

Relieved of their burden, they continued eastward, carrying a greater quantity of provisions. As they neared the settlements, they divided the company, with the stronger members pressing ahead to seek assistance. The advance party reached Independence, Missouri, and immediately sent back horses to bring in their comrades. All eventually arrived safely at their homes.

In the spring of 1829, Major Bennett Riley of the United States Army was ordered to escort traders’ caravans between Western Missouri and Santa Fe. Captain Philip St. George Cooke kept a journal of the trip, and extracts from Major Riley’s official report are included in this account.

Captain Cooke’s journal describes the march from Fort Leavenworth, which had been abandoned by the Third Infantry due to its unhealthiness. On June 5th, Riley crossed the Missouri River and re-crossed it to avoid the Kansas River.

After five days of marching, they arrived at Round Grove, where the caravan had been ordered to wait. The caravan consisted of 79 men and 38 wagons drawn by mules and horses. After five days of marching at an average of 14 miles per day, they reached Council Grove. They then reached Cow Creek, which was teeming with fish.

Upon reaching the Upper Valley, they saw miles of prairie blackened with buffalo. One morning, as they marched through meadows by the river, they passed through buffalo herds for miles, with buffalo opening in front and closing in the rear. A bull charged the column, but it was killed by the officers and dogs.

The command reached its destination, Chouteau’s Island, on the boundary between the United States and New Mexico, in mid-July. This marked the limit of their escort duty.

Previously, traders had only used mules or horses. The oxen proved to be a successful experiment, especially in areas where water was scarce.

Shortly after the trading company departed, horsemen arrived at the camp, reporting that the caravan had been attacked by a large number of Indians. Some of the traders had been killed.

The soldiers mobilized quickly, yoking oxen to the wagons and marching to the rescue. The wagons crossed the rising river slowly, and they reached the encampment late at night. The Fighting the Comanche on the Santa Fe Trail continued.

They discovered that some traders had ridden ahead and had been ambushed by 50 Indians. One trader, riding a mule, was abandoned and killed. The Indians, despite having the advantage of the ground, did not attack the traders when they made a stand among their wagons.

They buried the dead trader and killed an ox for breakfast. They advanced through the defile, escorting the traders further.

The next morning, they encountered a hot wind. The oxen were unable to continue. The caravan halted, and the animals were unyoked. They pushed on for 10 miles to a dry creek bed where they found a pool of water and grass. The water’s surface was covered with dead fish, killed by the heat.

They decided not to proceed further into Mexican territory and returned to the river and the American line.

While encamped at Chouteau’s Island, the enlistment of four soldiers expired. Against advice, they decided to return to Missouri. After marching for hundreds of miles without seeing any signs of humans, they found it difficult to believe that enemies were lurking. They set out on foot on August 1st.

That same night, three of the four returned, reporting that they had been surrounded by 30 mounted Indians. One soldier insisted on returning to give them tobacco and shake hands. He was shot down. The Indians stripped him and dispersed. The other soldiers managed to retreat to the camp.

They were instructed to wait for the return of the caravan, which was expected in October. They relied on hunting for provisions. When the buffalo became scarce, they moved to other ground. They built wells and sod fireplaces for defense.

Hunting was a military duty. They maintained constant vigilance, with frequent night alarms.

While encamped below Chouteau’s Island on August 11th, they were alerted to the presence of Indians. A captain and 18 men were sent across the river after buffalo. In their absence, a large body of Indians approached the camp. A company was ordered to cross the river to support the first group. As they neared a sandbar, they were fired upon by a band of Indians.

The balls passed close, but without causing any damage. The company fired back, but the Indians retreated. They discovered that the party they were sent to support had abandoned one of the hunters, who had been killed.

The adjutant ordered them to recover the body of the slain hunter, who had been transfixed by an arrow and scalped.

On October 14th, they began their return journey. They saw smoke signals rising over the distant hills, indicating their movement to other groups of Indians.

Their march was accompanied by large gatherings of buffalo.

Under the cover of darkness on November 8th, the veterans marched into Fort Leavenworth.

This harrowing account, filled with vivid descriptions of the landscape, the constant threat of attack, and the sheer resilience of those who dared to traverse the Santa Fe Trail, provides a valuable glimpse into a pivotal era in American history. The Fighting the Comanche on the Santa Fe Trail defined the experiences of many who sought opportunity and adventure in the West.