Saving Sherman

After the Civil War, Benjamin Grierson [see our cover story, P.22] was commissioned a colonel in the U.S. Army and assigned command of the 10th U.S. Cavalry, one of two mounted regiments composed of Black enlisted men and White officers—the famed Buffalo Soldiers. In May 1871, Grierson was in command of Fort Sill in Indian Territory, when he had a remarkable encounter with William T. Sherman, one that would save the renowned general’s life.

As commanding general of the U.S. Army, Sherman had come west to investigate raids on White settlements by Kiowa and Comanche Indians. On May 27, Chiefs Satanta, Big Tree, Satank, and Lone Wolf rode into Fort Sill to confer with the irate Sherman while also drawing rations of sugar, coffee, and beef. Satanta complained about Army mistreatment of his tribe and admitted that he had personally led the most recent raid on Lone Star teamsters near Jacksboro, Texas.