Battle of Yellow House Canyon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Yellow House Canyon |
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| Part of the Buffalo Hunters' War, Apache Wars | |||||||
 Comanche warriors circa 1870 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
Comanche Apache |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Jim Smith |
Black Horse (Comanche) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 46 militia | ~300 warriors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 12 killed 8 wounded |
21 killed 22 wounded |
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The Battle of Yellow House Canyon was an important fight between Comanche and Apache warriors and American buffalo hunters. It happened on March 18, 1877, near what is now Lubbock, Texas. This battle was the last major event of the Buffalo Hunters' War. It was also the final big conflict between the United States and Native Americans on the High Plains of Texas.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
Hunting Grounds and Treaties
In 1867, the Medicine Lodge Treaty set aside land for Native American hunting. This area was between the Arkansas River and Canadian River. However, starting in 1873, many buffalo hunters began working in the Texas Panhandle. They got their supplies from places like Adobe Walls, Texas. These hunting trips led to earlier fights, such as the Second Battle of Adobe Walls in 1874.
Black Horse's Plan
In December 1876, a Comanche leader named Black Horse got permission to hunt in Texas. He was very upset because settlers were hunting too many American bison (buffalo). The large buffalo herds were becoming very small. Black Horse planned to camp in Yellow House Canyon. From there, he wanted to attack any hunters he saw.
Earlier that winter, a buffalo hunter named Marshall Sewell was hunting near the Salt Fork Brazos River. On February 1, 1877, Sewell found a buffalo herd. He began hunting them, but ran out of bullets. Black Horse and his warriors saw this. They surrounded Sewell as he returned to his camp and killed him. Three other hunters saw what happened from a distance. They quickly went to Rath City to report the killing.
Hunters' Response
Marshall Sewell was well-liked by other buffalo hunters. Because of this, they reacted quickly. About 40 men rode to where Sewell was killed and buried him. Then, they followed the Comanche trail. The two groups had a short skirmish. A hunter named Spotted Jack was hurt. The Texans then went back to Rath City.
Black Horse gathered about 170 warriors, including a captive named Herman Lehmann. They started raiding hunters' camps in the area. This included camps belonging to famous people like Pat Garrett. The buffalo hunters were very worried and demanded action.
The Battle Begins
The Hunters' Journey
A group of 46 men left Rath City on March 4. Their goal was to find Black Horse and his warriors. Jim White was chosen as their captain. A guide named José, who knew the area well, helped them. Twenty-six men rode horses, and the others traveled by wagon.
Two nights into their trip, Jim White became ill and had to return to Rath City. Jim Smith, one of his officers, became the new captain. The group found the spot where Sewell had been killed. From there, they followed the Comanche trail west. Their guide believed Black Horse would be in Yellow House Canyon.
Finding the Camp
The hunters entered the canyon near Buffalo Springs Lake. There, they killed a guard. Later that day, scouts saw the Comanche camp. The hunters decided to march overnight to reach it. They left their supplies and wagons at the spring.
The Texans reached a fork in the canyon early on March 18. This area is now part of Mackenzie State Recreation Area. They first went the wrong way but then turned south. Moving west, they found a combined Comanche and Apache camp. It was in Hidden Canyon, where Lubbock Lake is today.
The Attack
Even though it was late in the day, the buffalo hunters decided to attack. They split into three groups. Two groups were on horseback and went to the sides of the canyon. The third group was on foot and followed the creek in the middle.
When they were close enough, they charged. At first, the Native Americans were surprised and ran for their horses. But then they realized how small the attacking force was. They quickly regrouped. Women ran towards the horsemen, firing pistols. The warriors set up strong defenses.
The Texans were surprised by this fierce defense and had to pull back. One hunter, Joe Jackson, was shot in the stomach. He died two months later, becoming one of 12 Texans killed. Several others, including the guide, were wounded. Among the Native Americans, Herman Lehmann was shot in the thigh, and his friend was killed.
The Retreat
During the fighting, a group of hunters, including John R. Cook, stopped a flanking move by the Native Americans. Still, the Texans were outnumbered and had to retreat down the canyon. The Comanche then started a grass fire to create a smoke screen.
In the afternoon, the hunters were ordered to retreat fully. They headed back towards Buffalo Springs. The Native Americans followed them for a short time before stopping. The Texans used a bonfire as a trick to make it look like they were still there. Then, they left completely during the night. They also set fires behind them to hide their tracks. They finally returned to Rath City on March 27.
After the Battle
The End of the War
Even though the battle was a loss for the hunters, it helped bring the war to an end. News of the fight quickly reached Fort Griffin. Captain P. L. Lee responded by chasing the Native Americans. He had 72 soldiers from the 10th Cavalry.
At Lubbock Lake, they turned north. On May 4, they caught up with the Native Americans at Quemodo Lake in Cochran County. A short fight happened, and one warrior named Ekawakane and his wife were killed. After this, the remaining Native Americans surrendered. They returned to Fort Sill.
By the winter of 1878-1879, most of the buffalo on the South Plains were gone. This brought an end to organized buffalo hunting.
Stories and Legacy
Several different stories exist about this battle. Two Texans who were there, John Cook and Willis Glenn, wrote about it in their memoirs. Herman Lehmann, who was with the Native Americans, also shared his story in his autobiography.
Today, the battle site is part of the Canyon Lake Project in Lubbock. Monuments mark different spots related to the battle. Some stories say that Charles "Buffalo" Jones, who helped save the buffalo from extinction, was also at this battle.
