Battle of the Saline River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of the Saline River |
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| Part of the American Indian Wars | |||||||
 "Wounded and lifted on Horse"- A painting by C. Taylor from the book "Ups and Downs of an Army Officer" written by George Augustus Armes. The painting describes when the then Captain Armes was wounded in the hip and lifted up on a horse during the Battle of the Saline River in August 1867
 A map of the Smoky Hill River drainage basin in the central Great Plains of North America, State of Kansas, that includes the Saline River
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
Cheyenne | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Captain George A. Armes William Cody, scout |
Tall Wolf, son of Medicine Arrows | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 87 cavalry | about 400 warriors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 3 killed 35 wounded |
6 killed unknown wounded |
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The Battle of the Saline River happened in August 1867. It was one of the first recorded fights involving the Buffalo Soldiers. These soldiers were part of the U.S. 10th Cavalry. The battle took place about 25 miles northwest of Fort Hays in Kansas.
Contents
The Battle of the Saline River
Why the Battle Happened
On August 1, 1867, Cheyenne warriors led by Tall Wolf attacked railroad workers. This happened in Ellis County. This incident led to a battle between the Cheyenne and the Buffalo Soldiers. This fight became known as "The Battle of the Saline River."
The Battle Begins
Captain George Augustus Armes led Company F of the 10th Cavalry. He was following a trail along the Saline River. Suddenly, about 400 Cheyenne warriors on horseback surrounded his group.
Captain Armes quickly formed a defensive shape. It was like a "hollow square" with the cavalry horses in the middle. This formation helped protect his soldiers. To find better ground, Armes slowly moved his command towards Fort Hays. He kept the defensive square together.
The fight lasted for 8 hours. The soldiers fired about 2,000 rounds of ammunition. They moved 15 miles while fighting. Finally, the Cheyenne warriors stopped fighting and left. Company F did not get any help from other soldiers. They had traveled 113 miles during their 30-hour patrol. They rode the last 10 miles back to Fort Hays. Only one soldier was killed during the battle. Captain Armes later said it was amazing his group survived. He praised his officers for their bravery and calm during the fight.
What Happened Next
After this battle, other fights between Native Americans and settlers continued. However, the fighting along the Saline River was over. Treaties were made, like the Medicine Lodge Treaty. But battles still happened in other places. For example, there were fights near Sterling, Colorado and Cheyenne, Oklahoma.
