1. Where did they bury Chief Black Kettle?  

No one knows.  According to Magpie, who was present at the battle, Cheyenne women pulled both Black Kettle and his wife’s body from the river and carried them up the pony trail that was north of the river to a sandy knoll.  There they debated where to bury them.  To this day, no one actually know where the chief is buried.

2. Where were Major Elliott, Captain Hamilton and the other twenty cavalry men buried?

Major Elliott was finally laid to rest at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. His grave site is at the Officers’ Circle. Captain Hamilton was first buried at Fort Supply with two other troopers killed at Washita. His remains were later interred at his family cemetery at Pokeepsie, New York.  Sergeant Major Kennedy and the other eighteen cavalrymen are buried, in an unknown spot, somewhere in the hills northeast of the historic site; probably northwest of Strong City, Oklahoma.

3. Is there any camping allowed at the park?

Camping at the park is not permitted, however the Black Kettle National Grasslands (U.S. Forest Service) offer camping at Spring Creek Lake, Skipout Lake, and Black Kettle Recreation Area. Also, camping is permitted at the Washita National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles east of the park, along with Foss Sate Park.

4. How big is the actually park?

315.2 acres, in which 2/3 is open to the public.

5. Why did they kill the Indian ponies?

It was part of the total war policy and ponies were the most significant form of wealth the Cheyenne, and most of the Plains Indians, had.  Killing the ponies took away substantial wealth. It also kept the warriors from raiding into Kansas, but also kept them from hunting buffalo. The death of these horses forced many Cheyenne into the reservation.