Stop Eleven

The valley bottom along the lower trail.

NPS / Christian Schroll

Quick Facts

Location:

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

Lt. Col. Custer was following orders when he came across Black Kettle’s village. Known as an aggressive Indian fighter, Custer found purpose in protecting American emigrants on the Plains.

The men of the 7th US Cavalry, many of whom had former service in the Civil War, also found a renewed sense of purpose in their work on the plains. Looking for a meal and a paycheck, they instead found cholera, harsh conditions, and plenty of fighting during their campaigns that ranged from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains.

At Washita, this hardened group charged into battle to the tune of “Garry Owen”, their regimental song. The instruments froze up halfway through the first stanza because of the bitter cold.

Custer also had 12 Osage scouts in his employ. The Osage, enemies of most other Plains tribes, led the Cavalry to the village and then, after waiting to make sure they wouldn’t be mistaken for Cheyenne, joined the fight.

Custer lost 22 men in the fighting, two officers and twenty enlisted.