Stop Fifteen

Grasslands overlooking Washita Battlefield.

NPS / Christian Schroll

Quick Facts

Location:

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

After Washita, the Southern Plains Indian War continued into March 1869 when Lt. Col. Custer caught up with the Cheyenne again at Sweetwater Creek in Texas. He held three chiefs captive, forcing the Cheyenne to promise to accept life on the reservation.

According to oral tradition, while at Sweetwater, Custer was asked to smoke a pipe. When it came back from going around the room, the chief dumped the ashes on Custer's boots, telling him that, "If Custer ever lied to the Cheyenne, or attacked the Cheyenne, he and his men would be killed." Custer left the Cheyenne alone for seven and a half years, until June 1876 at Little Bighorn.

Many stories are told of Custer and his final battle.

If you had happened upon the village of Peace Chief Black Kettle a few days after November 27, 1868, you would have noticed smoldering burn piles along the banks of the Washita River.

What story would these piles have told?

What story will you tell others about your experience today at Washita?