Simpson E. Stilwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simpson Everett Stilwell
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Simpson E. Stilwell
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| Born |
Simpson Edwin Stilwell
September 18, 1850 |
| Died | February 17, 1903 (aged 52) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Jack, Comanche Jack |
| Occupation | U.S. Army Scout, lawman, judge |
| Known for | Brought relief to besieged U.S. Army scout unit |
| Spouse(s) | Esther Hannah White |
| Parent(s) | William "Henry" Stilwell, Charlotte B. "Sarah" Winfrey |
Simpson Everett Stilwell (born August 18, 1850 – died February 24, 1903) was an important figure in the American Old West. He worked as a scout for the U.S. Army, a Deputy U.S. Marshal, and a judge in Oklahoma. He is best known for his brave actions during the Battle of Beecher Island. In this battle, he helped bring help to a group of U.S. Army scouts who were surrounded by Cheyenne warriors.
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Growing Up
Simpson Stilwell grew up near Baldwin, Kansas. His parents were William "Henry" Stilwell and Charlotte B. "Sarah" Winfrey. He had a younger brother named Frank Stilwell.
In the mid-1850s, his family moved to Kansas and claimed land. When Simpson was 14 years old, in 1863, he left home. Instead of fetching water, he joined a wagon train heading to Santa Fe, New Mexico. For several years, he traveled between New Mexico, Kansas City, and Leavenworth.
Joining the U.S. Army
During the colder months, Simpson Stilwell often went on buffalo hunts. In the spring, he worked with wagon trains. In 1867, he joined the U.S. Army. He served as a guide for troops at Fort Dodge, Kansas. In 1868, he went south with General George Custer into what was then called Indian Territory.
Scouting for General Forsyth
On August 28, 1868, Jack Stilwell joined Major George A. Forsyth's company. This group had fifty U.S. Army scouts. Jack was known for being tall and having a lot of knowledge about the frontier, even though he was young.
On September 10, Forsyth's troops learned that Cheyenne warriors had attacked a supply train. The soldiers set out to find them. The scouts followed the warriors into Colorado. Even though the warriors greatly outnumbered them, the scouts kept going.
The group made camp by the Arikaree Fork of the Republican River. General Forsyth expected trouble, so he set up a watch. At dawn, a large group of Cheyennes, led by Chief Roman Nose, attacked the scouts. The scouts were surrounded. They quickly dug in on a sand bar in the dry riverbed for protection.
On the first night of the battle, Forsyth needed someone to get help from Fort Wallace. Stilwell bravely volunteered and chose another man to go with him. Forsyth wrote a note, and Stilwell and his companion crawled about 3 miles to escape. They hid for the day about 5 miles from one of the Cheyenne villages. They ate horse meat, which made them sick. Even though they were weak, they traveled for four days and finally reached Fort Wallace.
Some later reports said Stilwell shot Chief Roman Nose, but this was never proven. The scouts were released from duty on October 5, 1868. Stilwell continued to work as an army scout for some time.
Guiding Kansas Volunteers
Samuel Johnson Crawford was the Governor of Kansas. He resigned in 1868 to become a Colonel of a new group of soldiers called the Nineteenth Kansas Volunteers. General Sheridan sent two guides, including Jack Stilwell, to lead Colonel Crawford's group.
The Kansas Volunteers began a difficult journey. They faced deep snow, which made travel very slow. A severe snowstorm hit them, and they struggled to cross the Arkansas River. They lost many horses in a stampede and got lost in a blizzard. They finally reached Camp Supply on November 28.
General Custer, who was waiting for them, had already left on November 24. Custer's group fought the Battle of Washita River, capturing many women and children. The Kansas Volunteers stayed in active service all winter. They suffered from bad weather and a lack of food and horses. They saw little fighting.
In 1871, Stilwell was a guide at Fort Sill. He stayed in the Indian Territory, except for a few trips, until about 1887. He also served in a campaign in 1874. During this time, he made a very risky 75-mile ride alone through dangerous areas to bring news and get help. Later, he was a scout for General "Black Jack" Davidson. In 1878, he worked at Fort Davis and Fort Stockton, Texas.
Life as a Lawman
Simpson Stilwell's brother, Frank Stilwell, was killed in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, in 1882. Frank was suspected of murdering Morgan Earp. Frank was then killed by Wyatt Earp in return. Simpson learned of his brother's death and went west, hoping to get revenge. However, he soon returned without doing so. He went back to Indian Territory and became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
In 1887, Stilwell became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Darlington, Oklahoma. This was during the time when Oklahoma was opened for settlement. He soon became a police judge in El Reno, Oklahoma. A few years later, he returned to Anadarko and was appointed a U.S. Commissioner. He also became a lawyer.
On May 2, 1895, he married Esther Hannah White. In 1898, his old friend William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody invited Stilwell to move to his ranch near Cody, Wyoming. Stilwell looked after Cody's business while Cody was away with his Wild West shows. Stilwell owned a small ranch where he passed away in 1903. He was buried near Cody, Wyoming.
