Volume 15 , Issue 8

Cheyenne Raid - 1878

Cheyenne Raid 1878 - Transcribed from Vol. I of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc." When the last of the Indian tribes was removed from Kansas to the Indian Territory, hope was entertained that depredations on the western frontier would cease. But in Sept., 1878, Dull Knife's band of northern Cheyennes, dissatisfied with the rations furnished by the government, decided to return to their former homes.

They accordingly left the reservation, moved northward into Kansas, and on the 17th attacked the cattle camps south of Fort Dodge, where they killed several white men and drove off some of the cattle. News of the event reached Gov. Anthony the next day and he appealed to Gen. Pope, commanding the department, but Pope thought it was nothing more than a scare.

The governor sent Adjt.Gen. Noble to Dodge City with arms and ammunition, but the Indians had moved on northward. Lieut. Col. William H. Lewis, with a detachment of troops from Fort Dodge, pursued the Indians and came up with them at a canon on Famished Woman's fork. In the fight that ensued Lewis was killed. Telegrams from various points in the western part of the state poured into the governor's office appealing for aid, but still Gen. Pope declined to act."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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