Kiowa at the Battle of the Washita, 27 November 1868

Abstract

While the Battle of the Washita of 27 November 1868 is a well-documented event in Native American and Southern Plains history, especially regarding the Cheyenne, Kiowa involvement is little known. This work sheds light on which Kiowa were at the battle and their participation, through an examination of US military records, Kiowa ledger art, oral histories, onomastics, photographs, and an unpublished account from Kein-taddle of her husband’s (Chiefs Call Him) participation and later naming of three family members from his personal war actions in the battle. The account suggests not only that Chiefs Call Him was involved in the action against Major Joel Elliott and his detachment, who were killed that day, but that he also witnessed Elliott’s death and counted coup on him.