Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre
The vast and often unforgiving landscape of the American West in the 19th century was a stage for countless dramas, both large and small, that shaped the nation’s history. Among the lesser-known, yet equally tragic, events that unfolded along the historic Santa Fe Trail is the incident known as the Nine Mile Ridge Massacre. This event, occurring in the bitter cold of January 1863, serves as a stark reminder of the tensions and misunderstandings that often plagued interactions between westward-bound travelers and the Native American tribes who called the Great Plains home.
The account of the Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre comes to us primarily through the writings of William H. Ryus, a man known for his understanding of Native American cultures and his ability to navigate the often-perilous frontier. Ryus, who earned the moniker "the Second William Penn" for his fair dealings with Native Americans, provides a perspective that challenges the common narrative of relentless Indian aggression, suggesting instead that many conflicts arose from the actions and attitudes of white settlers.
In the heart of winter, a wagon train of nine freight wagons departed from Santa Fe, New Mexico, embarking on the long and arduous journey eastward. The wagons, laden with goods and supplies, were likely a welcome sight to anyone encountering them on the desolate plains. As the train approached Nine Mile Ridge, a prominent elevation overlooking the Arkansas River, they encountered a group of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. These Native Americans, facing the harsh realities of winter and dwindling resources, approached the wagons in the hope of obtaining food and supplies. They were approximately 75 miles from Fort Larned, Kansas, and 175 miles from Fort Lyon, Colorado, a significant distance in a region devoid of settlements and sustenance. The remoteness of the location amplified the desperation of both the Native Americans and the potential danger faced by the wagon train. The Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre was about to unfold.
The Indians, driven by hunger and the need to provide for their families, pleaded with the wagon boss to share some of their provisions. They approached the wagons with what they likely believed was a reasonable request, hoping for a gesture of goodwill in a land where survival often depended on cooperation. However, the wagon boss, for reasons that remain open to interpretation, steadfastly refused their pleas. His refusal, delivered in no uncertain terms, effectively dashed the hopes of the Native Americans and set in motion a chain of events that would lead to tragedy.
As the Indians continued to follow the wagons, their desperation grew. They saw no other recourse but to attempt to take what they needed. The leader of the band approached the oxen, demanding that the train be stopped and that provisions be handed over. During the ensuing confrontation, as the train was being corralled, one of the wagons tipped over, and a teamster, in a moment of panic, fired his weapon, wounding one of the Indians. This single act of violence irrevocably altered the course of events.
The wounded Indian was quickly placed on a horse, and the Native Americans retreated from the camp. However, they did so with a vow of revenge. The teamster’s shot had transformed a desperate plea for sustenance into a matter of honor and retribution. The wagon boss, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the situation, remained "well satisfied," unaware of the storm that was brewing on the horizon. The Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre was now inevitable.
Adding to the tension, the wagon boss’s refusal to share food sparked a mutiny among some of the teamsters. Several of them, recognizing the Indians’ plight and perhaps fearing the consequences of denying them, reproached the wagon boss for his lack of compassion. The dispute escalated to the point where the wagon boss was nearly lynched by his own men, saved only by the intervention of those who sided with him. This internal conflict further weakened the wagon train’s position and highlighted the divided opinions regarding how to interact with Native Americans.
Under the cover of darkness, the Indians returned. Their attack was swift and brutal, overwhelming the unprepared wagon train. All but one of the white men were killed in the massacre. The sole survivor managed to escape by fleeing down the bank into the Arkansas River. He floated downstream, enduring the frigid water and the constant fear of being discovered, until he was far enough away from the site of the attack to attempt an escape to Fort Larned.
The man, exhausted and half-frozen, eventually made his way to Fort Larned, collapsing several miles from the outpost. He was discovered by soldiers and brought to safety. He later recounted his harrowing experience, emphasizing the belief that the massacre could have been avoided if the wagon boss had simply shown some hospitality to the Indians. He argued that a small gesture of kindness, a shared meal, or even a simple acknowledgment of their plight could have prevented the bloodshed. The Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of empathy and understanding in cross-cultural interactions.
The tragedy at Nine Mile Ridge sent shockwaves throughout the region, creating widespread fear and making travel across the plains even more dangerous. The incident fueled existing prejudices and further strained relations between white settlers and Native American tribes. In response, the commanding officer at Fort Larned took the precaution of sending out runners to invite the Indians to the fort in an attempt to understand the cause of the massacre and to hear their side of the story.
Two Indians eventually came to the fort and corroborated the survivor’s account. They stated that the attack would never have happened if the teamster had not shot their warrior, who had only asked for food. Their testimony underscored the importance of understanding the Native American perspective and recognizing the role that white settlers often played in escalating conflicts.
Ryus, drawing on his extensive experience with Native Americans, argued that the root of many frontier conflicts lay in the white settlers’ tendency to mistreat and abuse the Indians. He believed that the whites were often the aggressors, provoking conflicts that could have been avoided through diplomacy and respect. He recounted numerous instances where he had encountered large groups of Indians while crossing the plains, and through understanding their intentions and treating them with respect, he had always been able to avoid trouble.
Ryus emphasized the importance of sharing provisions with Native Americans, even when resources were scarce. He described how he would offer them coffee and bread, and how they would always be grateful for even the smallest gesture of kindness. He also highlighted the Indians’ sense of fairness and their ability to divide resources equally among themselves.
The story of the Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre is a complex and multifaceted one. It is a story of desperation, misunderstanding, and the tragic consequences of a lack of empathy. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of westward expansion and the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures. It is a story that deserves to be remembered and studied, not just for its historical significance, but for the lessons it can teach us about human nature and the importance of peaceful coexistence. The Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre occurred because of the decisions that were made.
The Santa Fe Trail’s Nine Mile Ridge Massacre is a poignant and tragic event in the history of the American West, offering valuable insights into the complexities of intercultural relations and the devastating consequences of miscommunication and mistrust.