Adobe Walls, First Battle
The First Battle of Adobe Walls was one of the largest battles between U.S. soldiers and Great Plains Indians, resulting from attacks on white settlers moving into the Southwest. For the battle in 1874, see: Second Battle of Adobe Walls
Background
The commander of the Department of New Mexico, Brigadier General James H. Carleton, was intent on eliminating Indian attacks on white settlers moving into the New Mexico and Arizona territories. Carleton's choice of commander to lead the expedition was Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson. Carson had earlier led expeditions under Carleton against the Navajo. Carson, who commanded the 1st New Mexico Volunteer Cavalry, set out for the Canadian River in the Texas panhandle from Fort Bascom in New Mexico.
The battle
In late November, Carson's scouts found the camp of a combined force of Kiowa and Comanche. Unknown to Carson the Indian forces led by the Kiowa chief Dohäsan, greatly outnumbered his own force. At 8:30 on November 25 Carson attacked Dohäsan's camp and routed the Indians. By 10:00, Carson was in the ruins of Adobe Walls. The Comanche village lay just beyond the ruins. Now combined with the Comanche, Dohäsan counter attacked. Carson unlimbered two 12-pound howitzers, strategically placed on a rise behind the village, and gave one of his typical orders to "throw a few shells into that crowd over there". The Indians led several sporadic charges but the troopers were able to hold their own aided by the howitzers. Dohäsan tried lighting the grasslands on fire to use as a smokescreen. By now, Carson was running low on ammunition and was concerned with protecting his supplies. He lit his own fires and withdrew to the high ground around the howitzers, where he repulsed the last of the Indian attacks. He ordered the Kiowa lodges and winter supplies burned. The Kiowa-Apache chief Iron Shirt was killed when he refused to leave his tipi.
Aftermath
Strategically the battle was a draw, though tactically Carson could claim it as a victory. Army losses were considerably light compared to the Indians: 2 dead and 10 wounded to the 60 casualties Carson reported inflicting on the Natives. Other estimates place the Indian losses between 100 and 150. Upon returning to Fort Bascom, General Carleton praised Carson's ability against a far superior foe. The Sand Creek Massacre took place just 4 days later. Casualties were surprisingly similar between the two battles yet unlike Chivington at Sand Creek, Carson had inflicted losses only on attacking warriors. Thus Carson was openly critical of Chivington's actions. However these were the last significant actions between Indians and the U.S. army during the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox 19 weeks later bringing the full attention of the United States Army to the Indian Wars in the West.
Sources
- Dillon, Richar H. North American Indian Wars (1983)
- http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/AA/qea1.html