What was the Battle of the Washita River?

The Battle of the Washita River was the slaughter of a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho on 27 November 1868 by the 7th Cavalry under Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. It is also known as the Washita Massacre.

Why did Custer attack a peaceful village?

Cheyenne and Arapaho raiding parties had been striking settlements and wagon trains. Custer followed the trail of a raiding party that led to Black Kettle's camp, but that trail could have been made by anyone of the many villages camped along the Washita River.

How many Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed in the Washita Massacre?

The number of dead in the Washita Massacre has always been challenged and is still debated but is usually given as between 60-150.

Why is the event called a battle if it was a massacre?

The event is called a battle because that is how it was first reported as every massacre of Native Americans anywhere was always designated a "battle" just as every Native American victory was reported as a "massacre" of US troops.

Washita Massacre

Definition

The Washita Massacre (Battle of Washita River) was the slaughter of the village of the Southern Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle (l. c. 1803-1868) and the peace chiefs aligned with him on 27 November 1868 at the hands of the 7th Cavalry led by Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer (l. 1839-1876), even though they had been promised protection.

More about: Washita Massacre

Timeline

27 Nov 1868
The Washita Massacre, in which Black Kettle's village of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho was slaughtered by the 7th cavalry under Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

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