Kiowa Chief Satanta – Orator of the Plains
Satanta, a name that echoes through the annals of the American West, was more than just a chief; he was a symbol of Kiowa resilience, a master orator, and a formidable warrior. Known to his people as Set-Tainte, meaning "White Bear Person," Satanta embodied the spirit of the Kiowa Nation during a tumultuous era of westward expansion and conflict. His life, marked by both diplomatic endeavors and fierce resistance, offers a poignant glimpse into the struggles faced by Native American tribes as they sought to preserve their way of life.
Born around 1820, Satanta emerged during the zenith of the Plains Tribes’ power. The vast expanse of the Great Plains served as the backdrop for his formative years, likely along the Canadian River, within the traditional winter encampments of the Kiowa people. This region, rich in resources and steeped in cultural heritage, shaped the young warrior’s understanding of the world and instilled in him a deep connection to the land. The Kiowa, renowned for their equestrian skills and martial prowess, maintained a nomadic existence, following the seasonal migrations of the buffalo and engaging in trade and occasional conflict with neighboring tribes.
Satanta’s rise to prominence was fueled by his exceptional abilities as a warrior. Even in his twenties, he distinguished himself on the battlefield, earning the respect of his peers and elders alike. His valor and tactical acumen led to his appointment as a sub-chief under the esteemed Chief Dohasan, solidifying his position within the Kiowa hierarchy. Descriptions of Satanta paint a picture of a commanding figure: tall, with a strong physique, an erect bearing, and piercing eyes that conveyed both intelligence and unwavering determination.
The First Battle of Adobe Walls in 1864 further cemented Satanta’s reputation as a resourceful and courageous leader. During this engagement against the U.S. Army, he showcased his ingenuity by utilizing an army bugle to confuse the troops, disrupting their formations and sowing chaos among their ranks. This audacious act, born of necessity and strategic thinking, became a legendary tale, forever associated with Satanta’s name.
Beyond his military achievements, Satanta possessed a gift for oratory that earned him the title "Orator of the Plains." His ability to articulate the Kiowa perspective with eloquence and passion made him a powerful negotiator and a respected voice among his people. In this capacity, he engaged in several treaty negotiations with the American government, including the Little Arkansas Treaty of 1865 and the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867. These treaties, intended to establish peace and define the boundaries between the Kiowa and the encroaching settlers, ultimately required the Kiowa to relocate to a reservation.
The Medicine Lodge Treaty, in particular, held promises of self-governance and control over the lands designated for the Kiowa. However, the influx of white settlers continued unabated, disregarding the treaty stipulations and encroaching upon Kiowa territory. This blatant disregard for the agreement fueled resentment and frustration among the Kiowa people, leading to continued raids on settlements and harassment of immigrants. The treaty, meant to foster peace, became a source of contention and further exacerbated the already strained relations between the Kiowa and the United States government.
The death of Chief Dohasan in 1866 created a power vacuum within the Kiowa Nation, leading to increased competition among various sub-chiefs, including Satanta, Guipago, and Tene-angopte. This internal strife, coupled with the ongoing encroachment of settlers, resulted in a surge of raids across the southern plains, stretching from Kansas to Texas, throughout the fall of 1866 and into 1867. During one such raid in the Texas Panhandle, a tragic incident occurred: the Kiowa killed a man named James Box and captured his wife and four children, later selling them to the army at Fort Dodge, Kansas.
Despite Satanta’s growing influence as a warrior and leader, he was unable to prevent a confrontation between the Kiowa and the U.S. Cavalry near Fort Zarah, Kansas, in 1867. The killing of a young Kiowa warrior at the civilian camp near the army fort ignited a desire for revenge among the Kiowa. The cavalry retaliated by attacking the Kiowa encampment, resulting in the deaths of several children during the ensuing skirmish. This tragic event further inflamed tensions and underscored the volatile nature of the relationship between the Kiowa and the U.S. military.
The Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867 ultimately failed to address the underlying causes of conflict, and by early 1868, the Kiowa and other Plains tribes were actively engaged in attacks against white settlers. These escalating conflicts prompted the U.S. government to take decisive action.
Fearing a widespread Indian uprising, General Philip H. Sheridan was dispatched to restore order during the "winter campaign" of 1868-69. Sheridan’s strategy involved systematically destroying Kiowa homes and horses, thereby diminishing their ability to resist. The impact of this strategy was amplified by Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer’s devastating attack on the Southern Cheyenne village on the Washita River on November 27, 1868. Custer’s willingness to target women and children instilled fear and demoralization among the Kiowa and other Plains tribes.
Upon learning of Custer’s actions, Satanta and Guipago, recognizing the futility of continued resistance, surrendered to the U.S. Army. Under a flag of truce, the two chiefs approached Custer on December 17, only to be immediately arrested and held captive for nearly three months while Custer sought permission to execute them. Ultimately, in February 1869, Tene-angopte negotiated their release by promising that the Kiowa would return to the reservation and cease all attacks on white settlers.
However, the peace was short-lived. By 1871, Satanta and his followers, dissatisfied with the constraints of reservation life, resumed raiding wagon trains in Texas. The Warren Wagon Train Raid, also known as "The Salt Creek Massacre," took place on May 18, 1871. Henry Warren, contracted to haul supplies to Texas forts, encountered General William T. Sherman, who allowed Satanta and his men to pass unmolested. Shortly thereafter, the wagon train was attacked by a group of approximately 100 warriors.
The Kiowa warriors overwhelmed the twelve teamsters, killing and mutilating seven of them while capturing the supplies. Five men managed to escape, with Thomas Brazeale reaching Fort Richardson on foot, some 20 miles away. Upon learning of the attack, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie informed General Sherman, who ordered Mackenzie to bring the responsible Indians to justice.
Ironically, Satanta, upon returning to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with his men to claim their rations, boasted about the raid to Indian agent Lawrie Tatum. Tatum, horrified by Satanta’s admission, promptly turned the chiefs over to General Sherman. Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree were subsequently sent to Jacksboro, Texas, to stand trial for murder. Satank was killed while resisting a guard during the journey. Before his trial, Satanta warned that his execution would ignite a "terrible fire" of vengeance among his people.
Satanta and Big Tree were tried in Texas and sentenced to death, but Texas Governor Edmund Davis commuted their sentences to life imprisonment. While incarcerated, Satanta was described as a "tall, finely formed man, princely in carriage, on whom even the prison garb seemed elegant." After serving only two years, Satanta was released in 1873, conditional upon the good behavior of his people.
However, by the following year, Satanta and his warriors were once again engaged in conflict, attacking buffalo hunters and participating in the Second Battle of Adobe Walls on June 27, 1874.
In October 1874, Satanta was captured and returned to the Texas Penitentiary at Huntsville. Unwilling to spend the remainder of his life in confinement, Satanta committed suicide on October 11, 1878, by jumping from a high window of the prison hospital.
Big Tree, along with other chiefs suspected of harboring hostile sentiments, were confined as prisoners at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After his release, Big Tree lived on an allotment from the reservation until his death in 1929.
Satanta’s life, a complex tapestry of war, diplomacy, and defiance, serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by Native American tribes during a period of profound cultural and territorial upheaval. His legacy as the "Orator of the Plains" endures, ensuring that his voice, and the voice of the Kiowa people, will continue to resonate through the generations.