INDIAN TREATIES ON THE LITTLE ARKANSAS

IN 1865 HUNDREDS OF PLAINS INDIANS CAMPED ON THESE PRAIRIES TO TALK PEACE WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. AMONG THEM WERE CHIEFS BLACK KETTLE AND SEVEN BULLS (CHEYENNE), LITTLE RAVEN AND BIG MOUTH (ARAPAHOE), RISING SUN AND HORSE'S BACK (COMANCHE), POOR BEAR (APACHE), SATANTA AND SATANK (KIOWA). FEDERAL COMMISSIONERS WITH GREAT PRESTIGE AMONG THE INDIANS WERE GENERAL HARNEY, COLONEL LEAVENWORTH, KIT CARSON AND WM. BENT. THE WHITES WANTED PEACE, UNMOLESTED TRAFFIC ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL AND LIMITATION OF INDIAN TERRITORY. THE INDIANS DEMANDED UNRESTRICTED HUNTING GROUNDS AND REPARATION FOR THE CHIVINGTON MASSACRE OF BLACK KETTLE'S BAND. TREATIES MADE HERE GAVE THE INDIANS RESERVATIONS SOUTH OF THE ARKANSAS, EXCLUDED THEM NORTH TO THE PLATTE, AND PROCLAIMED PEACE. SEVERAL WHITE CAPTIVES WERE RELEASED, AMONG THEM A WOMAN AND FOUR CHILDREN FROM TEXAS. LATER BOTH SIDES CHARGED VIOLATIONS AND WARFARE CONTINUED UNTIL THE MEDICINE LODGE TREATIES OF 1867. THERE IS A MONUMENT ONE MILE WEST.