Chief Quanah Parker and his family rested in the shade of a brush shelter. Such shelters protected them from the heat of the Plains.
Chief Quanah Parker and his family rested in the shade of a brush shelter. Such shelters protected them from the heat of the Plains.
Quanah’s camp had held the supplies his band needed to last the winter. There were tons of flour, sugar, and cured meat. Soldiers found crates of new carbine rifles and bullets. Mackenzie acted quickly. He ordered everything burned. Far out on the prairie, Quanah could see the black smoke rising from the bonfire. Mackenzie knew that Quanah’s men would try to steal back their horses. He allowed his scouts to load some with the loot they had taken from the Comanche camp. He ordered the more than one thousand others shot. Their bones lay there for many years, until a trader finally hauled them away for sale as fertilizer.1
After the defeat at Palo Duro canyon, Quanah led his band south. They headed toward warmer weather in Mexico. Without horses, it was hard to hunt large game. They lived on nuts, roots, and rodents. Soon they began to raid Mexican ranches. Within months they had 2,000 horses. Quanah hoped to return to Palo Duro to hunt buffalo in the spring of 1875.
In April of 1875 three Comanche brought a message from Mackenzie. All the other bands had given up. They were on the reservation near Fort Sill. Troops still patrolled the Staked Plains. No place there would be safe for Quanah’s band. Mackenzie’s message was simple. If Quanah led his band in at once, they would not be punished. If he did not, Mackenzie would wipe them out. He would offer no mercy.
Quanah went to a small hill to pray. He asked the Great Spirit for a sign. He saw an eagle circling above. It swooped down and snatched up a snake. As he watched, the eagle circled then headed east. Quanah knew what that meant. Fort Sill lay to the east. Quanah gave the messengers his answer. He promised that he would bring his people to Fort Sill.
The Comanche on the reservation lined up to draw rations.
Quanah came to the fort with 407 warriors. Their families waited on the Plains. He would send for them if all went well. They arrived June 2, 1875. A crowd from other Comanche bands waited near the gate. Quanah at last came face to face with Colonel Mackenzie. Neither man showed his deep feelings. Quanah said quietly, “I have brought my people in. We will take up the white man’s way.” Mackenzie replied, “We are glad to see you.”2
The Quahadi surrendered their weapons. They turned over their herd of 1,500 horses to the army. Then they set up their tipis in their new home. It was the end of the tribe’s ancient way of life. Quanah later said proudly,
The army did not treat Quanah harshly. He had killed and he had burned. He had done this to defend Comanche land. He had never sat down with white men. He had broken no treaties. The army respected his bravery and his wisdom.