Sitting Bear facts for kids

Sitting Bear, 1870. Portrait by William S. Soule.

Satank (also known as Set-angya or Set-ankeah, which means Sitting Bear) was a respected Kiowa warrior and a spiritual leader. He was born around 1800, likely in Kansas, and passed away on June 8, 1871. Satank was a very skilled warrior. He became a member of the Koitsenko, a special group of the bravest Kiowa warriors. He led many attacks against other tribes like the Cheyennes, Sacs, and Foxes. As more white settlers arrived, he also led raids on their settlements, wagon trains, and even army camps.

Early Life and Challenges

In 1860, Satank often visited the Peacock Ranch near what is now Great Bend, Kansas. Satank asked Mr. George Peacock to write a letter for him, saying he was a good Native American. However, Peacock took advantage of Satank not being able to read or write. Instead, he wrote that Satank was a bad person. When Satank learned about this trick from Buffalo Bill Mathewson, his tribe reacted strongly. This led to a serious conflict at Peacock Ranch where Peacock and others were harmed.

Kiowa Leadership Changes

Satanta, also known as "White Bear"

Guipago, also known as "Lone Wolf"

Ado-ete, also known as "Big Tree"

After the main Kiowa chief, Dohäsan, died in 1866, new leaders were chosen. Guipago became the new head chief. Satanta took over as the main war chief. Satank continued to lead the Koitsenko, the society of brave warriors. There was also a group led by Tene-angopte (Kicking Eagle) and Napawat (No Mocassins) who were more open to working with white settlers. In 1867, Satank signed the Medicine Lodge Treaty along with Satanta and other Kiowa chiefs. Guipago, however, chose not to sign the treaty.

Later Years and a Famous Incident

In 1870, Satank's son, who was also named Satank, was killed during a raid in Texas. This made the older Satank very sad. He carried some of his son's bones with him as a way to remember him. Because of his grief, he increased his raiding activities. Many of these raids were also carried out by Satanta and other unhappy Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache groups. One notable event was the Warren Wagon Train raid on May 18, 1871, in Texas.

The people who survived the Warren wagon train attack quickly went to Fort Richardson. There, they met General William Tecumseh Sherman. General Sherman had actually passed by the raiding party without knowing it, as they were hidden, waiting for the wagon train. Realizing he had been very lucky, the General ordered Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie and the 4th Cavalry to find those responsible for the attack.

The army didn't catch the war party. Instead, the leaders of the war party, Satank and Satanta, returned to the reservation. If they had kept quiet, no one would have officially known who was behind the Warren Wagon Train Raid. But Satanta couldn't keep silent. He asked the Indian Agent at the Kiowa-Comanche Reservation for supplies. He then boasted that he, Satank, and the young war leader Ado-ete (also known as Big Tree) had led the group that attacked the teamsters at Salt Creek. He even said they could have harmed General Sherman if they had wanted to.

General Sherman was already angry about the attack. Hearing Satanta's bragging made him even more upset. He ordered the arrest of Satank, Satanta, and Big Tree. Sherman personally carried out the arrests on the Agent’s porch. Guipago, the head chief, tried to intervene with his rifle and guns, ready to fight for his friends' freedom. However, he had to give up because of the large number of soldiers present.

Sherman then had a new idea. He decided to send the Kiowa chiefs to Jacksboro, Texas. There, they would be tried in a state court for their actions. He wanted them treated like regular criminals, not as prisoners of war who might have more rights in a military court. This was meant to send a message that actions by a war party would be seen as common crimes, not as legitimate resistance from a separate nation. This was the first time Native American chiefs would face trial in a white man’s court.

Satank's Final Moments

General Sherman ordered the trial of Satanta and Big Tree, along with Satank. This made them the first Native American leaders to be tried in a U.S. court for raids. Sherman ordered the three Kiowa sub-chiefs to be taken to Jacksboro, Texas, for trial.

Satank had no intention of being shamed by being tried in the white man's court. Before they were transported to Fort Richardson, he told the Tonkawa scouts that they should tell his family they would find his body along the trail. Satank refused to get into the wagon. When soldiers forced him in, he hid his head under his red blanket, which showed he was a member of the Koitsenko. The soldiers thought he was hiding his face out of shame. But in reality, he was biting his wrists to the bone to free himself from the chains.

He began singing his death song. Once his hands were free, he wounded one of his guards, a corporal, in the leg with a knife he had hidden. He then managed to grab the man's rifle. Satank was shot and killed before he could fire the weapon. His body lay unburied on the road. His people were afraid to claim it because they feared the army, even though Colonel Mackenzie said they could safely take the remains. Still, his body was never claimed by his family.

Where Satank Rests

Eventually, the army buried Satank at Chief's Knoll, which is part of the cemetery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Satanta was also brought there after he died in prison in Huntsville, Texas, and was buried nearby. Other important chiefs from the Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho tribes are also buried on or around Chief's Knoll. These include Kicking Bird (Kiowa), Ten Bears (Comanche), Quanah Parker (Comanche), Yellow Bear (Arapaho), and Little Raven (Arapaho).

Images for kids

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  Satanta, or "White Bear"

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  Guipago, or "Lone Wolf"

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  Ado-ete, or "Big Tree"