298 CALENDAR HISTORY OF THE KIOWA [eth.ann.it 



Although Set-imkia says that the exiiedition was originally organ- 

 ized against the Pawnee to avenge the killing of his brother by that 

 tribe, other informants state that it was organized and led by Tseu- 

 'konky;!, the man who was killed, for the special purpose of extermi- 

 nating the immigrant tribes, and this statement agrees with the official 

 accounts. The Indian lleport for ,1854 contains an extended notice of 

 this great war party, which went after wool and came back shorn. 



In the summer of that year the agent for the southern plains tribes 

 started for the Indian rendezvous near Fort Atkinson, on the Arkansas, 

 ■with a large train of goods for distribution in accordance with the 

 terms of the treaty made at that point in the previous year, having first 

 sent messengers ahead to inform the Indians of his approach. 



The Indians were eucamped ou Pawnee fork, at the crossing of the Santa F<5 road, 

 where they were collected in larger numbers than had ever lieen known to assemble 

 ou the Arkansas before. Old traders estimate the number at twelve to fifteen hun- 

 dred lodges, and the horses and mules at from forty to fifty thousand head. The 

 entire Kiowa and Prairie C'onianches were there ; several hundred of Texas or Woods 

 Comanclies had come over; the Prairie Apaches, one band of Arapahoes and two 

 bands of Chcyeunes and the Osages composed the grand council. They had met 

 for the imrpose of forming a war party, in order, as they in their strong language 

 said, to wipe out all frontier Indians they could find on the plains. Two days previous 

 to my arrival they broke up camp and started north. As soon as I heard that they 

 were gone I sent two runners to try and bring them l>ack. They, however, declined 

 coming, and sent word that they would soon return, as it would t.ake but a short 

 time to clear the plains of all frontier Indians. They were doomed to be disap- 

 pointed, as other nations, great in their own imaginations, have been. At some 

 place near Kansas river they met about one hundred Sac and Fox Indians and the 

 fight commenced, and from their own account lasted about three hours, when, to 

 their great surprise, the combined forces were compelled to retreat, leaving their 

 dead on the field, which Indians never do unless badly whipped. They report their 

 loss at about sixteen killed and one hundred wounded. From the best information 

 1 can get, the Sacs and Foxes were as much surprised at the result as the others, 

 for there is no doubt but that they would have run too if they could have seen a 

 hole to get out at. They had taken shelter in a ravine and were for a long time sur- 

 rounded. The prairie Indians were armed with the bow and arrow, while the others 

 had fine rifles. One is a formidable weapon in close quarters, but worthless at more 

 than al)Out fifty yards. The rifle told almost every shot. It is easily accounted for 

 why one hundred whipped fifteen hundred. The former had a weapon to fight with; 

 the latter had none at the distance thej' were fighting. I learn that the Sacs and 

 Foxes lost six killed, but they were killed with the rifle. The Osages have fine guns, 

 and they must have shot them, for I am certaiu the other Indians have nothing in 

 the shape of guns, except a few Northwest shotguns, and they are of but little use. 

 The Sacs aud Foxes are satisfied that the Osages did them the only damage they 

 received, and as an evidence I learn that w.ar has been declared between the nations, 

 and already some scalps have been taken. This may save the government from 

 whipping them (the Os.ages), as it is certain somebody will have it to do soon 

 {Ecpoit, S3). 



In his report for the same year the Indian superintendent says: 



I am officially advised that ou the arrival of Agent Whitfield at Fort Atkinson, on 

 the Arkansas river, with the annuity goods for the Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches, 

 in July last, he found that they had all gone on a war party against the tribes of the 

 north, confident from their numbers, estimated at fifteen hundred, to gain an easy 



