Pawnee Scouts
| Pawnee Scouts | |
|---|---|
Pawnee scouts, circa 1868 to 1871, by William Henry Jackson.
|
|
| Active | 1864 - 1877 |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Indian scouts |
| Garrison/HQ |
Fort Kearny, Nebraska Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Frank North |
Pawnee Scouts were part of the United States Army in the latter half of the 19th century. Like other groups of Indian scouts, Pawnee warriors were recruited in large numbers to fight on the Northern Plains in various conflicts against hostile native Americans. Because the Pawnee people were old enemies of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, instead of fighting against Westward expansion, they served with the army for fourteen years between 1864 and 1877, earning a reputation as being a well trained unit, especially in tracking and reconnaissance.
The Pawnee tribe originally came from an area in Nebraska around the Republican, Platte and Loup Rivers. They were known for being a warrior culture, skilled in raiding enemy villages for horses. Prior to December 1864, when the scouts were established, Pawnee braves constantly waged war against their neighbors so when General Samuel Curtis began recruiting for scouts to help him in an expedition against hostiles, he had no trouble in convincing seventy Pawnees to join in. Shortly thereafter, First Lieutenant Frank North was authorized to recruit 100 more Pawnees. North would eventually be put in command of the scouts and promoted to captain and then major, a position he held until the final disbandment of the unit in 1877. The first Pawnee scouts were posted at Fort Kearny, Nebraska and later units served at Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming and at Sydney Barracks. The Pawnee scouts were very fond of Major North, due to his bravery in battle and a pair of "miraculous" incidents in 1865. From May to November, the Pawnee scouts were in General Patrick E. Connor's Powder River Expedition and first saw action on August 13, 1865, at Crazy Woman's Fork of the Powder River. Captain Frank North and his men were chasing a party of Arapaho warriors on horseback when the Captain became separated from the Scouts by about one mile. The retreating warriors then turned to engage North and wounded his horse, so he used the animal as a "breastwork" to fight off the attackers. Their second skirmish on August 16, 1865, was in the Battle of Powder River. Captain North was following the trail of about 27 retreating Cheyennes with about forty-five of his scouts when they discovered the Cheyenne's camp. After two days of searching, it was 2:00 am when the camp was found so North had his men dismount and rest, in order to attack at first light. During the following skirmish, all twenty-seven Southern Cheyenne men, women, and children were killed by Captain North and his Scouts who only suffered four horses killed.
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Wikipedia