Indian Troubles on the Arkansas. Major Wynkoop's Report.
Indian Troubles on the Arkansas.
Major Wynkoop's Report.

INDIAN TROUBLES ON THE ARKANSAS, MAJ. WYNKOOP'S REPORT.

HEAD QRS, FORT LYON, C. T.

            August 9, 1864.
    SIR:--
I have the honor to report, for information of Colonel commanding, that on the night of the 7th inst., at about ten o'clock, I received intelligence that a train had been attacked about seven miles from this post by a band of Indians supposed to be Kiowas and Camanches, who immediately crossed to the south side of the river and there joined a large party and proceeded up the river. I immediately sent word to Capt. Gray at Camp Wynkoop, to throw his command on the opposite side of the Arkansas river to cut off the retreat of the Indians should they proceed in that direction. In the mean while, with eighty men and one howitzer, I crossed the river at this point for the purpose of proceeding up the other side rapidly in pursuit. My command consisted of detachments of Co. "D" commanded by Captain Soule, Co. "K" commanded by Lt. Quinby, and Co. "G" with howitzer, by Lt. Baldwin. While crossing the river I received a dispatch from Bent's ranch to the effect that a party of Indians had been there that evening including Satank, war chief of the Kiowas and two more of their principal chiefs; that they had but a small party with them in sight, but the supposition was, judging from the importance of the chiefs present, that a very large war party were in the immediate neighborhood. The dispatch also stated that the Indians had proceeded down the river, and a few miles below Bent's ranch they attacked a house occupied by a family named Rood, and murdered all the inmates. By a forced march I proceeded up in the direction of Bent's ranch seeing no signs of Indians until I reached the house said to have been attacked by the Indians which was unoccupied, but bore evidence of there having been a conflict--an attempt having been made to fire the house from the outside which had proved unsuccessful. I afterward learned that the house had been gallantly defended by four men who had been attacked by fourteen of the red devils and had finally driven them off, killing one of them. I then proceeded as far as(?) Bent's ranch scouting the country, but finding no evidence of there having been no more than fourteen Indians, and those having apparantly rapidly decamped in the direction of the Cimmaron. After fruitless search I returned to day to this post, my men having been in the saddle for two nights, being entirely exhausted.
    I am well convinced Satank, with a thousand or more warriors of the Kiowas and Camanches is located over on the Cimmaron or in that vicinity.
    I have also received information that four white men have been murdered by these same Indians near the Cimmaron crossing.
    The available troops that I have in this garrison will not warrant me in attacking Satank at present, not being able to take more than fifty men into the field, after leaving what would barely suffice for the absolute protection of the post. If it is possible, I would respectfully recommend that I receive some reinforcements so that I may take a sufficient command into the field to punish this fiend Satank and his murderous crew. All of which is most respectfully submitted.
    I have the honor to remain,
        Your obedient servant,
[Signed]     E. W. WYNKOOP,
        Maj. 1st Cav. of Col.,
            Com'dg Fort Lyon.
To J. S. MAYNARD,
    A. A. A. General,
        Dist. of Col., Denver, C. T.


Source:

Unknown, "Indian Troubles on the Arkansas. Major Wynkoop's Report," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Co., Saturday, 27 August, 1864, p. ?.


Acknowledgement:

    I'd like to offer a very special thanks to Nancy Spencer, [email protected], of Denver, Colorado for digging this article out for me. Nancy found it for me, plus a host of others, quite a few years ago now. Unfortunately, I managed to mislay them, something that's been happening with increasing frequency lately as more and more material on the Wynkoops, and Ned in particular, come to light. They somehow managed to surface recently and here they are now for your enjoyment.

    Thanks so much Nancy! I'm sorry about the long wait.

    All my best,

    Chris

Created September 1, 2003; Revised October 12, 2003
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