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The '''First Battle of Adobe Walls''' was one of the largest battles between U.S. soldiers and Great Plains [[Native Americans in the United States|Indians]], resulting from attacks on white settlers moving into the [[Southwest]]. ''For the battle in 1874, see: [[Second Battle of Adobe Walls]]''
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==Background==
The '''First Battle of Adobe Walls''' on November 26, 1864 was a major battle between U.S. troops and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. The battle, which took place in the vicinity of Adobe Walls, was initiated by [[Brigadier General]] [[James Henry Carleton|James H. Carleton]] to stop [[Comanche]] and [[Kiowa]] attacks on the Santa Fe wagon trains carrying settlers to [[New Mexico (U.S. state)|New Mexico]] and [[Arizona (U.S. state)|Arizona]]. Those train wagons were perceived by the Indians perceived as trespassers.  
The commander of the [[Department of New Mexico]], [[Brigadier General]] [[James Henry Carleton|James H. Carleton]], was intent on eliminating Indian attacks on white settlers moving into the [[New Mexico]] and [[Arizona]] territories. Carleton's choice of commander to lead the expedition was [[Colonel]] [[Kit Carson|Christopher "Kit" Carson]]. Carson had earlier led expeditions under Carleton against the [[Navajo Nation|Navajo]]. Carson, who commanded the 1st New Mexico Volunteer Cavalry, set out for the [[Canadian River]] in the [[Texas]] panhandle from [[Fort Bascom]] in [[New Mexico]].


==The battle==
Early in November Colonel Christopher Carson of the First Cavalry New Mexico Volunteers was sent by Carleton with several hundred enlisted men, to attack Comanches and Kiowas camps in the Panhandle area of [[Texas (U.S. state)|Texas]]. On November 25 Carson arrived at Mule Springs and early the next morning he and attacked a Kiowa village of 150 lodges. Carson routed most of the inhabitant and gathered in to the nearby Adobe Walls.
In late November, Carson's scouts found the camp of a combined force of [[Kiowa]] and [[Comanche]]. Unknown to Carson the Indian forces led by the Kiowa chief [[Dohäsan]], greatly outnumbered his own force. At 8:30 on [[November 25]] Carson attacked Dohäsan's camp and routed the Indians. By 10:00, Carson was in the ruins of [[Adobe Walls]]. The [[Comanche]] village lay just beyond the ruins. Now combined with the Comanche, Dohäsan counter attacked. Carson unlimbered two 12-pound [[howitzers]], strategically placed on a rise behind the village, and gave one of his typical orders to "throw a few shells into that crowd over there". The Indians led several sporadic charges but the troopers were able to hold their own aided by the howitzers. Dohäsan tried lighting the grasslands on fire to use as a smokescreen. By now, Carson was running low on ammunition and was concerned with protecting his supplies. He lit his own fires and withdrew to the [[high ground]] around the howitzers, where he repulsed the last of the Indian attacks. He ordered the Kiowa lodges and winter supplies burned. The Kiowa-Apache chief Iron Shirt was killed when he refused to leave his [[tipi]].


==Aftermath==
Later that day, after sustaining several attacks, Carson decided to retreat, and on his route burned the Kiowa village he raided earlier that day. Carson suffered only minor casualties (6 were killed in battle or from wounds inflicted during the battle), whereas the Indians suffered a loss of between 60 (according to Carson's initial report) and 100-150 as reported later. When added the burning of the village, the battle was declared by General Carleton as a glorious victory.  
Strategically the battle was a draw, though tactically Carson could claim it as a victory. Army losses were considerably light compared to the Indians: 2 dead and 10 wounded to the 60 casualties Carson reported inflicting on the Natives. Other estimates place the Indian losses between 100 and 150.  Upon returning to Fort Bascom, General Carleton praised Carson's ability against a far superior foe.  The [[Sand Creek Massacre]] took place just 4 days later. Casualties were surprisingly similar between the two battles yet unlike Chivington at Sand Creek, Carson had inflicted losses only on attacking warriors.  Thus Carson was openly critical of Chivington's actions.  However these were the last significant actions between Indians and the U.S. army during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. [[General]] [[Robert E. Lee]] surrendered at [[Appomattox]] 19 weeks later bringing the full attention of the [[United States Army]] to the [[Indian Wars]] in the [[Western United States|West]].


==Sources==
==Sources==
*Dillon, Richar H. ''North American Indian Wars'' (1983)
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/AA/qea1.html The Handbook of Texas Online]
*http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/AA/qea1.html


[[Category:Conflicts in 1864]]
==References==
[[Category:Native American wars|Battle of Adobe Walls, first battle]]
{{reflist}}
[[Category:New Mexico in the Civil War]]
 
[[Category:Reviewed Passed if Improved]]

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The First Battle of Adobe Walls on November 26, 1864 was a major battle between U.S. troops and Native Americans. The battle, which took place in the vicinity of Adobe Walls, was initiated by Brigadier General James H. Carleton to stop Comanche and Kiowa attacks on the Santa Fe wagon trains carrying settlers to New Mexico and Arizona. Those train wagons were perceived by the Indians perceived as trespassers.

Early in November Colonel Christopher Carson of the First Cavalry New Mexico Volunteers was sent by Carleton with several hundred enlisted men, to attack Comanches and Kiowas camps in the Panhandle area of Texas. On November 25 Carson arrived at Mule Springs and early the next morning he and attacked a Kiowa village of 150 lodges. Carson routed most of the inhabitant and gathered in to the nearby Adobe Walls.

Later that day, after sustaining several attacks, Carson decided to retreat, and on his route burned the Kiowa village he raided earlier that day. Carson suffered only minor casualties (6 were killed in battle or from wounds inflicted during the battle), whereas the Indians suffered a loss of between 60 (according to Carson's initial report) and 100-150 as reported later. When added the burning of the village, the battle was declared by General Carleton as a glorious victory.

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