Pawnee Scouts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pawnee Scouts |
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Pawnee scouts, circa 1868 to 1871, by William Henry Jackson
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| Active | 1864–1877 |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Indian scouts |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Kearny, Nebraska Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming |
| Engagements | Powder River Expedition
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| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Frank North |
The Pawnee Scouts were a special group of Pawnee men. They worked for the United States Army in the late 1800s. The Army often hired Indian scouts to help with conflicts. These conflicts were between settlers and different Native American tribes.
The Pawnee people sometimes had disagreements with the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. Because of this, some Pawnee men were willing to join the Army. They served for pay between 1865 and 1871. The scouts were given rifles, revolvers, and special uniforms.
Serving the Army
The Powder River War
The Pawnee tribe originally lived in Nebraska. Their lands were near the Republican, Platte, and Loup Rivers. Before 1864, the Pawnee often had small battles with nearby tribes.
In December 1864, General Samuel Ryan Curtis started looking for scouts. He wanted help for a military mission against other tribes. He convinced seventy Pawnee men to join him. Soon after, First Lieutenant Frank North was allowed to recruit 100 more Pawnee.
North later became the commander of the scouts. He was promoted to captain and then major. He held this rank until the unit was officially ended in 1877.
The first Pawnee scouts were stationed at Fort Kearny, Nebraska. Later, other groups served at Fort D.A. Russell in Wyoming.
From May to November 1865, the Pawnee scouts joined General Patrick E. Connor's Powder River Expedition. They first saw action on August 13, 1865. This happened at Crazy Woman's Fork of the Powder River. Their next fight was on August 16, 1865, also at Powder River.
Captain North and about forty-five scouts were tracking some retreating Cheyenne. They found a Cheyenne camp. During the attack that followed, Captain North and his scouts defeated the Cheyenne warriors. The scouts lost only four horses.
The scouts also fought in the Battle of the Tongue River on August 29. About 200 United States soldiers and 70 Indian Scouts were involved. This included 30 Pawnee scouts. They captured an Arapaho village with about 500 people. Most of them were women and children.
The few Arapaho warriors tried to fight back. But the soldiers used powerful carbines and howitzers. Many Arapaho were killed or captured. Some women and children were captured but later set free. Many Arapaho horses were also taken or killed. Five U.S. soldiers and Indian Scouts died or were badly wounded.
The Cheyenne War
In the spring of 1866, the Pawnee scouts were temporarily dismissed. But in March 1867, Major North was asked to enlist new scouts. He formed four companies, each with fifty men. Their job was to protect the Union Pacific Railroad, which was being built.
During this time, Major North's brother, Luther, commanded one of the scout companies. This group was called the "Pawnee Battalion". They were active in the Comanche War. They fought against Chief Turkey Leg and his group of Northern Cheyenne.
A tough battle happened near Plum Creek Station, Nebraska, on August 22. Major North and forty-two scouts fought 150 Oglala Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. These warriors had attacked a train earlier, killing settlers and taking property.
The Pawnee scouts fought bravely and defeated many warriors. They also captured Chief Turkey Leg's wife and child. The chief's family was later exchanged for American captives.
In the autumn of 1867, the battalion was dismissed. But in the spring of 1868, North reformed the unit. They continued to protect the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1869, North and fifty scouts guided Colonel Eugene Asa Carr's expedition through Colorado. They fought in the Battle of Summit Springs on July 11.
In this battle, about 300 Americans and Pawnees faced 450 to 900 Arapaho, Sioux, and Cheyenne. These tribes were led by Chief Tall Bull. Colonel Carr planned his attack from three sides at once. About thirty-five Native Americans were killed, including Tall Bull. Only one American was wounded. The scouts were involved in the fighting. About 800 captured livestock were also taken by the U.S. Army.
The Great Sioux War
By 1870, the Pawnee scouts were still protecting the railroad. But eventually, they were disbanded again. When the Great Sioux War started in 1876, Major North received new orders. General Philip Sheridan told him to go to Indian Territory. This was where the Pawnee now lived. North was to organize another company for General George Crook's Little Bighorn Campaign.
The Pawnee men were living in poverty. They were eager to join for the pay. North recruited 100 Pawnee men. He then headed north to Fort Robinson, Nebraska. This was where the Sioux chiefs Sitting Bull and Red Cloud were actively fighting the army.
Major North and his men arrived at the fort on October 22. They immediately marched to Chief Red Cloud's camp with a regiment of cavalry. The next morning, North's command advanced on the camp and captured it. They captured Red Cloud and over 700 ponies, which were later sold. The chief and his group were then taken to Fort Robinson. They were held there until the war ended in 1877.
In November 1876, General Ranald S. Mackenzie led seventy Pawnee scouts and 800 cavalrymen. They went into the Big Horn Mountains to attack a hidden Cheyenne camp. When General Mackenzie attacked, most of the Cheyenne fled. They left their supplies and lodges behind. The soldiers gathered these and burned them. About 650 ponies were also captured. Over forty Native Americans died from cold or hunger in the weeks that followed. This attack left the Cheyenne with nothing.
With nowhere else to go, some Cheyenne walked to Fort Robinson and surrendered. The war was now over. The Pawnee scouts were officially disbanded for good on May 1, 1877. They returned to the Indian Territory. Major North retired from his military life that same year.
Images for kids
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Pawnee scouts, circa 1868 to 1871, by William Henry Jackson
