Get ready for a no-holds-barred journey into the heart of the American frontier. We'll be tracing the footsteps of Major General Winfield S Hancock and his sizable force as they ventured into the volatile landscape of 1867 Kansas. A land where settlers, travelers, and Native American tribes clashed, and tension was as tangible as the dust underfoot.
Our guide through this historical odyssey? Edmund Guerriere. A French trader by profession, a Cheyenne Indian by birth, and a survivor of the horrific Sand Creek Massacre. Edmund's compelling narrative paints a vivid picture of the expedition to Fort Larnad, the dramatic confrontations with the native tribes along the Pawnee River, and his encounters with fascinating characters like the iconic California Joe and Wild Bill.
And hold on to your seats as we recount the nerve-jangling night when Edmund entered the Cheyenne camp under Hancock’s orders to interpret and mediate. Feel your heart pound as we spin the tale of the ensuing confrontation, the tribe’s dramatic exodus, and Custer’s frantic, but ultimately futile, attempt to capture the fleeing tribes. As the show closes, you will be left with an unforgettable image of Edmund's encounter with a Cheyenne warrior, a poignant reminder of the human drama that unfolded on the plains of Kansas during this tumultuous period..” You can purchase the book Trails, Forts, Treaties and Indian Wars at Amazon.com
Return of the Great Hunters
Cattle Drives Website
Legends of Dodge City Website
Order Books
Get ready for a no-holds-barred journey into the heart of the American frontier. We'll be tracing the footsteps of Major General Winfield S Hancock and his sizable force as they ventured into the volatile landscape of 1867 Kansas. A land where settlers, travelers, and Native American tribes clashed, and tension was as tangible as the dust underfoot.
Our guide through this historical odyssey? Edmund Guerriere. A French trader by profession, a Cheyenne Indian by birth, and a survivor of the horrific Sand Creek Massacre. Edmund's compelling narrative paints a vivid picture of the expedition to Fort Larnad, the dramatic confrontations with the native tribes along the Pawnee River, and his encounters with fascinating characters like the iconic California Joe and Wild Bill.
And hold on to your seats as we recount the nerve-jangling night when Edmund entered the Cheyenne camp under Hancock’s orders to interpret and mediate. Feel your heart pound as we spin the tale of the ensuing confrontation, the tribe’s dramatic exodus, and Custer’s frantic, but ultimately futile, attempt to capture the fleeing tribes. As the show closes, you will be left with an unforgettable image of Edmund's encounter with a Cheyenne warrior, a poignant reminder of the human drama that unfolded on the plains of Kansas during this tumultuous period..” You can purchase the book Trails, Forts, Treaties and Indian Wars at Amazon.com
Return of the Great Hunters
Cattle Drives Website
Legends of Dodge City Website
Order Books
Wild West podcast proudly presents Hancock's War, the Edmund Guerriere story, an unprecedented season of violence on the plains of Kansas, settlers, overland travelers and railroad construction crews. In post-Civil War, kansas were becoming increasingly uneasy due to numerous Indian raids. The Cheyenne, sioux, arapaho and Kiawa warriors had become so defiant in the early months of 1867 that they informed certain army officers that as soon as spring came, travel on the various overland routes must cease. Although the Indian agents insisted that the Kansans were overreacting to the situation, major General Winfield S Hancock, commander of the Department of the Missouri, decided to do something about the alarming situation. He informed the various Indian agents that he was organizing an expedition to convince the tribes that he could punish any of them who may molest travelers across the plain or commit other hostilities against the whites. Hancock hoped that a simple show of force would be enough to persuade the hostiles that a war against the whites would eventually lead to their extermination. He therefore assembled 1,400 men for the campaign, including portions of Brevet Major General Andrew J Smith's newly formed Seventh Cavalry under Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer. Hancock also realized that he needed a reliable group of scouts, interpreters and dispatch riders if the campaign was to be successful. When he and his troops reached Fort Larnet on April 7, the general asked the Cheyenne agent, edward W Wincoupe, to supply him with a scout. Wincoupe suggested that he talk with Edmund Guerriere, a local trader. At first Guerriere declined Hancock's offer to become a scout, but later reconsidered. The general ordered the quartermaster to place Guerriere's name on the payroll at a rate of $100 per month. Hancock did not check into Guerriere's personal background to determine his suitability for the position of scout On the frontier. Resumes were unnecessary. George Custer outlined the only qualifications a scout needed to possess in the following manner Do you know the country thoroughly and can you speak any of the Indian languages? Constitute the only examination which civil or uncivil service reform demands of an individual on the plains. Guerriere certainly fulfilled these requirements. The following story is based on David Dixon's article entitled A Scout with Custer Edmund Guerriere on the Hancock Expedition of 1867.
Speaker 2:I was born January 16, 1840 as Edmund Guesso Coutot Guerriere in a Cheyenne Indian village located on the Smoky Hill River in central Kansas. My father, william Guerriere, was a French trader who worked at a Fort Laramie with his partner Seth Ward. My mother was Tatatouane, a full-blooded Cheyenne of the Wattabi band. I spent my early life with my mother's people. In 1849, my mother, tatatouane, died of cholera and I went to live at Fort Laramie with my father. My father intended that I receive a better-than-average education and, in 1856, sent me to St Louis University in Missouri. However, I was forced to withdraw the following year when my father was accidentally killed while trading in Wyoming. After my father's death, I returned to live with my mother's people, who knew me as Redtail Hawk when living with him in Colorado. I narrowly escaped death in 1864 at the Sand Creek Massacre. I remember this tragedy well, for on the early morning of November 29, 1864, colonel Shippington and his soldiers arrived at our Cheyenne camp. The soldiers were spotted by a Cheyenne woman who sounded the alarm. When the tribe was alerted, black kettle raised an American and a white flag. A traitor Blackfoot, john Smith and I went down toward the soldiers who were lined up on the low bluff above the Cheyenne lodges. The soldiers fired on Smith and I while launching the attack. It seems incredible that Smith and I were not killed, although John Smith's son, jack, was quickly captured and then shot down in cold blood. Charles Bent, who was with us, was taken captive. George Bent was shot in the hip but managed to escape, as did Julia Bent and I.
Speaker 2:After the Sand Creek Massacre. I was part of a congressional investigation to provide testimony at Fort Riley, kansas, in 1865. The following was what I told the investigation counsel about my experience at Sand Creek I was in the camp when the Cheyennes, when Shippington made his attack. I had been with them about three days before the attack. After the attack I remained with them about four weeks. I was at the time of the attack sleeping in a lodge. I could see the soldiers begin to dismount. I thought they were artillerymen and were about to shell the camp. I went to the northeast. I ran about five miles when I came across an Indian woman driving a herd of ponies. She was a cousin of mine, one of White Antelope's daughters. I went with her to the Smoky Hill River. As soon as the firing began I saw that there could be no resistance from the number of troops and I escaped. There were 148 killed and missing. About 60 were men, the balance women and children.
Speaker 2:In the spring of 1867, I worked for the trading firm of DA Butterfield on Pawnee Fork when I accepted Hancock's offer to become a scout. At first I did not want the job, but Hancock offered to pay me $100 a month. That beat any pay I could get anywhere else at the time, so I took the job. After taking the job, I met a very peculiar man who called himself California Joe, but his real name was Moses Embry Milner. A Kentucky-born feller, had become a fur trapper out of St Louis, missouri, at the age of 14. Now Milner, california Joe, was a colorful character who was prominent in stature. He was a tall, raw-boned redhead whose appearance and makeup would indicate that soap, water, comb and brush had been forgotten for a long time. What he lacked in makeup he more than made up in bravery, as he was like a tiger in that respect.
Speaker 2:His only aim during life was to kill Indians in revenge for the massacre of his wife and children. He joined our expedition to Fort Launard and wanted nothing for anything that he might do to help us along, which he did on many occasions. His only wish was to be given a free hand in killing Indians. He said give me a horse and a mule, something to eat, also plenty of ammunition, and when you see the smoke from my old long tom you can reckon there's one to any and less to fight. He usually wore an old blue army overcoat and government boots with cartridge box, saddle pockets and nose bag full of ammunition. He had a quart bottle of 40 rod in his overcoat pocket and you can imagine perhaps his appearance riding a small mule and his number 14 boots almost touching the ground. I never saw him take a drink of water and one day I asked him why it was. He replied that water would rock your boots and I won't take any chances with my stomach.
Speaker 2:My first assignment was to ride out and bring in a band of Cheyenne to council with Hancock. These same Indians had promised ancient Wincoup that they would meet with Hancock on April 10, but a snowstorm delayed their arrival and the conference was rescheduled for the following day. The sun shone but the weather remained biting cold. However, it was thought that the Indians would come in on the morrow, which was the 11th. In the morning Pawnee Killer sent word that he had started with his people for Fort Larnad when they had discovered a large herd of buffalo, so they had stopped to get meat. This excuse did not please General Hancock or any of his officers. Even Major Wincoup was hard put to explain why buffalo should be more critical than a council engagement.
Speaker 2:Wincoup, a 30-year-old, lanky Pennsylvanian began his manifold Western career filled with controversy, when he arrived in Kansas in 1858. His character, a combination of reckless stubbornness and stern moralist, generated conflict wherever he went. They don't mean to come in, gentlemen, declared Wild Bill to General Hancock and Custer and others. They're playing for time. That's all the first thing you know. They'll have cleared out. It's no part of their intentions to hold any sort of powwow. If they don't come to us, we'll go to them, announced General Hancock. We'll give them 24 hours more to keep their promise. The general was as good as his word.
Speaker 2:On the evening of the next day, orders went forth through the camp to prepare for an early march on the following morning. Now all was ready for the march onward to the village. The clear notes of the general rang from bugles of cavalry, infantry and artillery. Down in the twinkling fell flat every tent. The canvas was quickly roped into square packs and passed into the wagons Speedily. Ranks were formed, the cavalry mounted, and up on Pawnee Fork of the Arkansas from Fort Lawnard marched the troops. This march began in the morning of April 12th.
Speaker 2:I was put in charge of leading an expedition along with a group of Delaware Scouts and started for a village located on Pawnee Fork. We were accompanied by some troops and a contingent of white Scouts, one of them being California Joe and Couriers including James B Wild, bill Hickock, thomas Kincaid and Thomas Atkins. The route we took followed the crookedly wound Pawnee River, which was bordered by willow and alder trees. Our Scouts rode ahead and on both sides Fall leaf and his braves were especially vigilant, for all the western Indians were their enemies. Moving figures were constantly sighted before us. They were our Indian challengers, for they kept out of our hailing distance.
Speaker 2:A great smoke arose which, according to some opinions in the column, was caused by the Indians burning the buffalo grass. There would be no forage for the expedition. Then, toward evening, when the Indian village was yet ten miles distant, came galloping another party of Chiefs and Warriors. The Chiefs' Party had turned and were riding along with the commanding officer's staff. Their painted ponies pranced nimbly, blankets and fringes shown in the breeze. They rescorted in by Wild Bill and were introduced to General Hancock, pressing their horses to the horses of the white man. They shook hands.
Speaker 2:While enroute to the village, our column of troops was met by the Sioux leader, pawnee Killer, and several other tribal Chiefs. I found Hancock was dissatisfied with the talks, mainly because so few Indians had appeared In a council that evening. He told Tall Bull and the other Chiefs that he intended to march to their village the following morning to talk with all the Indian leaders. The Chiefs became intensely alarmed over Hancock's proposition. I could only think that Shivington's raid on Sand Creek was still very fresh in their minds. After the conference ended, tall Bull explained to Agent Wincoup that Hancock would only frighten away his people if the troops came too close to the village. Wincoup gave the general this information, but Hancock could not be discouraged. I also backed up Wincoup by saying that the Indians did not believe that Hancock's intentions were peaceful because he had brought along so many troops.
Speaker 2:Night was falling, the march had covered 31 long miles and the infantry soldiers were well weary. So within 9 miles of the Indian village the column went into camp upon the banks of the Pawnee Fork Before taps. It was understood throughout the camp, for gossip traveled fast, especially when California Jail was about to carry news among the fires that Pawnee Killer and White Horse were to spend the night as guests of General Hancock. Also that in the morning all the Chiefs of the village should assemble in the camp for the council. These Indians accepted Hancock's invitation to spend the evening with his command and the camp was made about 21 miles from Fort Larnard. The next morning, on April 14th, pawnee Killer left camp, promising Hancock he would return when the sun was three hours high, with the other Chiefs from the village. 9 o'clock came and passed, but Pawnee Killer and the other Chiefs did not come. The general waited until 11am, but he resumed the march when the Chiefs did not arrive.
Speaker 2:Now, this is where California Joe began his satire about his thoughts on Indian trickery. For when California Joe had time to lounge about, he was ready to talk to anybody. It was by his numerous quaint remarks. I found him to be an odd character. Those there Indians never meant to meet the soldiers in any council whatsoever. He asserted First thing you know they all be gone skedaddle, and I bet my old mule against a pound of backie that the women and children are leaving already. If we want to catch that village we gotta get there mighty quick. Evidently this was General Hancock's opinion as well. He had been trifled with long enough With a solid but well-fed expression. Bull Bear rode away as Adpony Killer and other Chiefs and General Custer, striding quickly back from the conference, bade in a satisfied tone to Adjutant Moylan we're off, strike the Tense.
Speaker 2:The infantry bugles were ringing, the general and the scouts hastened to join the cavalry. Down came the tents and with boots and saddles, and to horse, the seventh cavalry was prepared for the march or for battle. Again, the expedition was put in motion and went clanking and creaking and rumbling across country. We ascended along Pawnee Fork as if this time we were bound to go right through to the village. Now the formation indicated that General Hancock likewise was prepared for peace or war. The infantry took the advance, with the artillery and engineers close behind the river protecting the left flank and the cavalry protecting the right. The scouts rode ahead, for they were the eyes of the column. And well did the dowdy General Hancock use caution. When only a few miles had been covered, came back galloping Wild Bill, with high hand as a signal to halt.
Speaker 2:At the exact moment, almost rounding a turn in the route, the heads of the columns emerged in a wondrous, startling sight. The vista opened out with never a tree or shrub to break it, until it was cut sharp by a motionless battle line. There the warriors sat upon their ponies, bay, black, white and spotted half a thousand Indians, all equipped with complete arms and armor for a fight. Shields shone, white, yellow and red Lances hovered, crimson, clustered, great war bonnets of feather, crests, brightly tinted, almost covered the riders. War paint streaked face, body and pony, and the glitter of rifle and revolver showed the ray was armed like white men.
Speaker 2:Midway between the two parties were the scouts, in extended order, the Delaware's head. Dropped their blankets from their soldiers and, naked to the waist, they sat alert and restless, eager to fight. Fall leaf held his rifle overhead and shook it tauntingly. Up and down the line of mounted warriors were riding the war chiefs, gesturing and talking as if keeping their men in order. But General Hancock had not been idle. Instantly his aides had spurred to the right and the left. Bearing his commands, the infantry and artillery bugles peeled shrill and on came the aide to instruct the cavalry. Pulling his yellow mustache, general Custer waited impatiently Arriving the aide. He was a young lieutenant, reigned his horse to its haunches and saluted the commanding general, sends his compliments, sir, and directs that the cavalry form a line of battle.
Speaker 2:On the right Troops, right front and the line two troops in reserve, spoke General Custer instantly to his adjutant Lieutenant Moylan and he nodded at the bugler to blow the call. His blue eyes were flaming. He looked happy Away, spurred Lieutenant Moylan down the column of fours bearing the orders. Bugle after bugle took up the strain Out to the right, trotted the fours, extending the cavalry front, troop after troop, until six were on the line Two, composed his second line as a reserve. The infantry had also double-quicked into company, front and company after company had come upon the battle line Into the center, had wheeled at a gallop the artillery and had unlimbered Company's load, yelled the commander of the canineers With rattle and thud the long springfield breech. Loaders, remodeled from the muzzleloaders of the Civil War, came to a load and prepared for the aim. Fire Draw sabers. General Custer's voice rang high with rasp of steel. Six hundred sabers flashed in the morning sun Recalled by one of the aides.
Speaker 2:The scouts and I slowly rode back, the Delaware's especially being reluctant to leave the front. As we passed, general Custer called out to Wild Bill Is it a fight? Bill Looks peculiar, answered Wild Bill, jogging on. He was not a man of many words, but California Joe neglected no opportunity to talk and obligently, pausing in front of the cavalry from his mule with his feet almost touching the ground. He took up the conversation. If we do fight it's going to be the gall-derdest frockest you ever got into.
Speaker 2:Those engines seemed to think they can whip the whole United States Army. An engine will beat a white man running every time. So I suspect our best hold is fighting. But mercy on us. Look at them, there ain't enough of us to go half-round. It's a big thing, I tell ya. And if we lick those varmints we gotta get up in dust. Maybe it won't be fighting, maybe it'll just be wiping them out. But they got a powerful lot of weepens, affirmed them by the engine department, to kill soldiers with. See those rifles, willie, they'll out-shoot these hair-sawed-off carbines. Ya'orn Well, I reckon all John the Infantry Still meandering on the front line.
Speaker 2:California Joe leisurely rode through an interval and posted himself elsewhere. California Joe's voice amably addressed all those around him. It never ceased, but nobody longer paid attention to him. The crisis was too sensitive when two such lines of the red and the white in battle array faced one another. The chiefs had faced about watchful of the soldier's line, and for a moment intense silence reigned. Each line eyed the other, waiting for the first movement.
Speaker 2:It was at this point, with a possible conflict between the two forces, that Agent Wincoup asked me to ride out to speak with the Cheyenne war leader, roman Nose. I had nothing to fear from the Indians, for they were well acquainted with me and considered me a close and trusted friend. As a matter of fact, roman Nose was married to my cousin Wincoup, and I convinced the chiefs to approach the troops and parlay with Hancock. The leaders on both sides met midway between the opposing lines. Hancock, accompanying by Custer and other staff members, asked Roman Nose if he had come prepared for war or peace. Roman Nose arrogantly replied that his warriors would not have ridden so close to the big guns if he had come for battle. He was referring to the artillery cannons.
Speaker 2:Media Joe poking forward again. Cooley took his place before the cavalry line and proceeded to talk as usual. Now there'll be no more conversatin', he announced to all hearers. And meanwhile the village is packing up in scat doodlin'. Know those air chiefs? The bigfeller with the flag of truce is Roman Nose, cheyenne, and he ain't no slouch boys, neither Tothers. Well, cheyenne are bullbear, white horse, greybeard and medicine wolf. Master Sue being at Rascal Pawnee, killer, bad wound left hand, little bear, little bull and tall bear that walks under the ground Shakin' hands, are they? Well reckon we don't fight today? Maybe next time, guess, I'll go see, get out. And he cantered away California Joe backward in nothing to overhear the conference.
Speaker 2:The conference ended when Hancock said it was too windy to talk on the open prairie and invited the Indians to his camp for a meeting that evening. Roman Nose agreed to meet later with the general and the Indians disappeared in the direction of their encampment. The expedition then resumed its march and it camped less than one mile from the Cheyenne village. After the troops had made camp white horse, tall bear, bullbear and Roman Nose arrived at Hancock's tent for the proposed council. I stood next to the general and served as the interpreter. Roman Nose told Hancock that the women and children had fled the village. When the soldiers arrived earlier that afternoon, hancock was outraged and demanded that the chiefs bring their dependents back to the village. Roman Nose said it was impossible task because the Indian ponies were weak and could not stand such a mission. The general in turn gave the chiefs two fresh horses. He also asked me to go with the Indians and remain in the village. I was further ordered to report back to the general every two hours as to the state of affairs in the Indian encampment.
Speaker 2:At 7 o'clock pm the conference broke up. I then prepared to return with the chiefs to their camp. Hancock asked me before going to the Indian camp if I was afraid. I told Hancock I was not frightened to be among them. The Indians would do me no harm. Hancock responded by saying if those Indians run away, I shall hold you responsible. My response to Hancock was that I would have to decline, for I could not stop the Indians encamp from running away, but I would report back to him if they do run. Hancock was somewhat hesitant about letting me go to the Indians camp but told me to go anyway, with the promise of reporting if they tried to leave.
Speaker 2:Before our departure back to the Indian camp, hancock was told by the chiefs that they would have all of their missing women and children returned during the night. All the Cheyenne camp would be present for the conference with him the following day, before we left. Hancock ordered that I was to report back to him every two hours. When at the camp with the Cheyennes, I felt very welcomed. After all, I was half Cheyenne and was a survivor of the Sand Creek massacre. Moreover, I was married to Julia Bent, daughter of William Bent, who had married Owl Woman, a full-blooded Cheyenne.
Speaker 2:When I was in camp I met with the chiefs and other important warriors, but they told me nothing of their intentions. The chiefs were concerned and agitated with the situation. They left me at their council lodge to consult among themselves. When they returned they told me they had decided not to stay and were leaving to join their families. They said that since the women and children would not be returning to camp, they feared Hancock would attack them.
Speaker 2:By this time I was overdue by a half hour to report back to General Hancock. I decided I would need to return to the expedition's camp and rode back to Hancock's headquarters, arriving at 9.30pm. When I returned, I reported to Hancock that the Indians were preparing to leave. The general summoned Custer and ordered him to mount his command and surround the village. Hancock did not become suspicious of me in helping the Indians escape because he could hear Romanos chanting from the Indian camp. When General Custer asked me what the song meant, dick Curtis, another interpreter, inaccurately stated that it was a song Indians sang when they were frightened. I believed that Romanos remained behind to convince Hancock that all the Indians still occupied the village, thus covering up for me Within minutes.
Speaker 2:The seventh cavalry, along with me, were mounted and headed toward the Indian camp. Every saber was tucked between leg and saddle flap so that it would not rattle. All in silence proceeded the shadowy column. Orders were given in a whisper and by whisper passed from troop to troop. The bright, moonlit night allowed the rapid movements of the column. The air was clear, mild and pleasant, with only a light, soft breeze. In the distance before us flickered the red glow of a campfire at the village and was made as our guide. Behind us I could still see our campfires, and at headquarters, the light in General Hancock's tent shone brightly, serving as a guide point.
Speaker 2:In the event that a cloud cover wound up, causing us to lose our bearings, the column swung in an oblique change of direction to strike the village from above. This was a good move, for if the Indians tried to escape they would be forced to run right into the inventory of the camp. Do you think they suspect we're coming, asked General Custer in a low voice. I do not think so, I whispered. Now the column was near the moon, peeped out between clouds, and then could be seen the glimmer of the white buffalo hide lodges amidst the grove of willows and cottonwoods by the river. Skillfully the great circle was formed for. When suddenly out from the clouds burst, the moon shining like a lighthouse on an island of the sky, it revealed the cavalrymen sitting motionless on their motionless horses. In the center was the ghostly village. Just a slight breeze sighed softly through the cottonwoods, while the stream flowing through the grove and village murmured as if it were playing soft music. We'll have to watch sharply for an ambioskade. Moelyn prompted the general. Our visit may not please the red gentleman. Have each rear troop deploy in succession as skirmishers, forming a continuous line facing inward around the village. Order the general to the adjutant, but quietly remember, and back row, lieutenant Moelyn, carrying the instructions.
Speaker 2:Custer had successfully deployed his troops and quietly surrounded the village. We then dismounted and, along with some staff officers and myself, approached the camp. While the camp was surrounded, custer ordered me to call out to the village and inform any Indians who remained that their mission was friendly. There was no reply. We then entered the camp and found it totally deserted, except for a half-breed girl and two old Sioux whom the Indians had left behind. Custer returned to Hancock's tent and reported to the general that all the Indians had escaped.
Speaker 2:The department commander ordered Custer to mount eight companies of the 7th and attempt to overtake the fleeing Indians. He was further instructed not to attack the Indians if he caught up with them, but to send me out to meet them and convince them to return to Pawnee Fork. At dawn on April 15th, the 7th started out accompanied by me, wild Bill Hickok, courier Kincaid and a party of Delaware scouts. I was the only scout who went with Custer, who was thoroughly familiar with the country. Although the Delaware's were experienced trail followers, they knew nothing of the region lying between the Arcanus and Smogihill rivers.
Speaker 2:General Custer personally instructed me to ride ahead of the command and attempt to overtake the fleeing tribes. I was further ordered to tell any Indians I met that the troops would not attack them and that they should halt. I, however, did not believe this, thinking that Custer only wanted to trap the Cheyennes and take them all prisoners. While riding about three miles from the command, I saw a Cheyenne warrior who was recovering some ponies lost during the night. I signaled to the brave to escape as fast as possible. The 7th cavalry pursued the Indians until about 5 o'clock pm when the trail became very faint. The Indians used the old ploy of scattering in many directions to avoid pursuit. To all who wonder the Indians had escaped, and yes, I was one who had helped them.