Santa Anna (Comanche war chief) facts for kids

Santa Anna (born around 1800, died 1849) was an important Native American war chief. He belonged to the Penateka tribe, which was part of the powerful Comanche nation. He became well-known for leading his people in battles and for his role in important peace talks.

Early Life of a Comanche Leader

Santa Anna grew up as part of the Penateka Comanche tribe. He lived in the same area as other famous war chiefs like Buffalo Hump and Yellow Wolf. People described Santa Anna as a "large, fine-looking man" with a friendly and lively face. He became an important leader after the Texas Revolution. Santa Anna was also the father of Carne Muerto, who later became a war chief for another Comanche tribe called the Quahadi.

The Great Raid of 1840

After a terrible event called the Council House Fight, the Comanche people felt that their peace messengers had been unfairly killed. This happened even though the messengers were carrying a white treaty flag. Because of this, fights between Comanches and Anglo-Texans (new settlers from America) became more common.

Santa Anna strongly believed that his people should fight back against the settlers who were moving into their lands, known as the Comancheria. He became very important in the San Antonio area in 1840. For about five years, he joined Buffalo Hump and other war chiefs in leading many raids and attacks on Anglo settlements.

One of the biggest events was the Great Raid of 1840. During this raid, the Comanche warriors burned two cities and traveled all the way to the coast, raiding towns as they went. It's hard to know exactly what Santa Anna did in every battle, but he likely took part in the raids on Linnville and Victoria in 1840. He might also have been at the Battle of Plum Creek. Before 1845, Santa Anna was known as a strong leader who did not want to make peace with the Whites.

Seeking Peace and New Ideas

Before 1845, Santa Anna was a strong supporter of fighting against the Whites. There are no records of him meeting with officials from the Republic of Texas government. He seemed even more determined to fight than Buffalo Hump, who had met with Sam Houston in 1843–44. Santa Anna often sided with Yellow Wolf, another fierce warrior.

However, in late 1845, Santa Anna was convinced to attend treaty talks with officials from the United States. During these meetings, he saw for the first time how many Whites there were and how powerful their weapons were. He realized that his people could not defeat or resist the Whites for long. After this, he began to suggest that peace was the best way forward. In May 1846, he was one of the Comanche chiefs who signed a treaty promising peace between his people and American citizens in Texas.

A geologist named Ferdinand von Roemer was at these treaty talks, which led to the Meusebach–Comanche Treaty. He wrote about Santa Anna:

The three chiefs... looked very dignified and grave. They differed much in appearance. [Old Owl] the political chief, was a small, old man... The war chief, Santa Anna, presented an altogether different appearance. He was a powerfully built man with a benevolent and lively countenance. The third, Buffalo Hump, was the genuine, unadulterated picture of a North American Indian.

After these talks with the U.S. Army, Santa Anna became a strong supporter of peace and working with the Whites. In December 1847, Santa Anna and other chiefs from Texas tribes visited Washington, D.C. He was the first of his tribe to make such a long journey. Santa Anna was amazed by what he saw, especially the huge number of Whites. From that moment on, he believed that fighting the United States would lead to his people's destruction. He tried to use his fame as a war chief to create lasting peace. However, among the Comanche who still wanted to fight, Santa Anna's new views made him less popular.

Death and What He Left Behind

Santa Anna seemed to get tired of his reduced standing among his people. To try and get back his old fame, he led several raids into Mexico in 1848–49. These raids caused the U.S. Army and the United States Indian agent Robert S. Neighbors to step in. Santa Anna was convinced to stop the raids.

In late December 1849, a serious sickness called cholera spread through the Penateka Comanche. Over 300 people died in just a few weeks. Santa Anna was one of the victims. Buffalo Hump, who also got sick, and Yellow Wolf survived. After Santa Anna's death, the Penateka tribe, except for the group led by Buffalo Hump, broke apart. The remaining members joined other Comanche tribes.