The Washita Massacre of 1868 stands as a stark and painful reminder of broken promises, relentless warfare, and the cost of westward expansion in the United States. At its heart was the betrayal of Chief Black Kettle and his people—who sought peace but met brutal violence at the hands of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry.
Setting the Stage
By the mid-19th century, tensions between Native American tribes and Euro-American settlers were at a breaking point. Driven by Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was divinely ordained to expand across the continent, settlers poured westward in increasing numbers. For Native American nations, this expansion meant the loss of land, resources, and sovereignty.
To manage these conflicts, treaties were often signed but rarely honored by the U.S. government. One such agreement was the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, which recognized Native American control over designated lands. Among those who signed this treaty was Chief Black Kettle, a leader of the Southern Cheyenne who believed peace was the only viable path for his people.
However, gold discoveries in the 1850s and the subsequent Pike’s Peak Gold Rush drew waves of settlers into Native territories, violating treaties and escalating hostilities. Despite these provocations, Black Kettle continued to advocate for peace. Yet his commitment to diplomacy did not shield his people from tragedy.
The Sand Creek Massacre
In 1864, Black Kettle and his Cheyenne village endured the Sand Creek Massacre, a horrifying attack orchestrated by Colonel John Chivington. Despite flying the American flag and a white flag of truce, Black Kettle’s village was overrun by Colorado militiamen. Between 150 and 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were slaughtered.
Although Black Kettle survived, the massacre served as a grim foreshadowing of the betrayal that awaited him. He continued to seek safety through negotiations and treaties, but distrust and violence only grew on both sides.
Total War and the Winter Strategy
By the late 1860s, General Philip Sheridan and the U.S. military had adopted a brutal policy of total war. Sheridan’s strategy was clear: eliminate the Plains tribes’ ability to resist by targeting not just warriors but villages, food supplies, and horses. Campaigns were increasingly launched in winter when Native camps were vulnerable, as tribes depended on settled villages to survive the harsh months.
Sheridan’s trusted subordinate, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, was tasked with carrying out this policy. Custer, already a decorated Civil War hero, was eager to prove himself on the frontier. His chance came in November 1868, when he led the 7th Cavalry on a campaign into Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
Black Kettle’s Last Effort for Peace
Just days before the massacre, Black Kettle and Chief Little Rock traveled to Fort Cobb, where they met with Major General William Hazen. The chiefs begged for protection and sanctuary near the fort, explaining their desire to avoid conflict. However, Hazen could not help them. Under Sheridan’s orders, the Cheyenne and Arapaho were already designated as “hostiles,” and no safe haven was granted.
On November 21, 1868, Black Kettle returned to his winter camp along the Washita River, unaware that his peaceful intentions would not spare him from what lay ahead. His village, isolated at the westernmost edge of a network of Native camps along the river, became an easy target.
The Attack on the Washita River
On the bitterly cold night of November 26, Custer’s Osage scouts discovered tracks leading toward Black Kettle’s village. Observing campfires from a bluff overlooking the settlement, Custer prepared for a surprise dawn attack. Determined to avoid the failures of earlier campaigns, he divided his command into four groups to surround the village.
Just before dawn on November 27, 1868, a single gunshot rang out. A Cheyenne man named Double Wolf spotted Custer’s men moving into position and fired a warning shot before being killed. Moments later, Custer ordered the charge, and the 7th Cavalry stormed the village to the tune of their regimental song, “Garry Owen.”
The attack was swift and devastating. Black Kettle and his wife, Medicine Woman, were shot in the back as they attempted to cross the river to safety. Chief Little Rock tried to organize a defense to allow women and children to escape, but he and most of his warriors were killed. Within 15 minutes, the village was overwhelmed.
Massacre, Destruction, and Capture
The aftermath of the attack revealed the true scale of the violence. Most of those killed were women, children, and the elderly—those least able to defend themselves. An estimated 60 to 150 Cheyenne were slaughtered that morning, their bodies left in the snow.
Custer’s forces captured 53 women and children, who were taken as prisoners. In a particularly grim act of destruction, Custer ordered the slaughter of the village’s horses and ponies—numbering between 675 and 875—to prevent survivors from escaping or rebuilding. The village itself was burned, leaving the Cheyenne destitute in the dead of winter.
During the chaos, Major Joel Elliot and 17 of his men pursued escaping villagers but were cut off and killed. Their bodies were discovered days later, stripped and mutilated—a tragic reminder of the cycle of violence and retribution on the Plains.
Aftermath and Legacy
Initially, Custer and Sheridan hailed the attack as a military triumph. Reports described a victory over “hostile” warriors, framing Custer as a hero who had struck a decisive blow against the Cheyenne. However, details soon emerged that challenged this narrative.
Eyewitness accounts painted a darker picture of the massacre, revealing the disproportionate killing of noncombatants and the betrayal of a peace chief who had sought the protection of the U.S. government. Colonel Edward Wynkoop, a former investigator of the Sand Creek Massacre, resigned in protest, calling the attack a slaughter of innocents. Newspaper reports began to echo the term “massacre,” sparking outrage and calls for accountability.
Although no formal investigation was conducted, the Washita Massacre fueled ongoing debates about U.S. military tactics and the treatment of Native Americans. For the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the event became a symbol of betrayal and loss. Black Kettle, who had devoted his life to seeking peace, was mourned as a tragic figure whose faith in diplomacy was shattered.
The Washita River Today
Today, the site of the Washita Massacre is preserved as the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site near Cheyenne, Oklahoma. For the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations, the area remains a place of remembrance and mourning. Prayer cloths tied to trees along the Washita River honor those who lost their lives on that cold November morning.
The debate over whether the event was a battle or a massacre continues, but for many, the answer is clear. The Washita Massacre serves as a solemn reminder of the human cost of westward expansion and the betrayal faced by those who sought peace in a time of unrelenting violence.
A Lesson in History
The Washita Massacre highlights the devastating consequences of broken treaties and military policies that targeted entire communities. Black Kettle’s story is one of both resilience and tragedy—a reminder of the complexities of history and the importance of honoring those whose voices were silenced.
As we reflect on events like Washita, we confront not only the violence of the past but also the enduring struggle for justice and recognition for Native peoples today.
