13 Sea of Grass, Washita Battlefield NHS, Cheyenne, OK (2)
**Washita Battlefield National Historic Site** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 66000633, date listed 10/15/1966
NW of Cheyenne on U.S. 283
Cheyenne, OK (Roger Mills County)
A National Historic Landmark (www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/list-of-nh...).
The Battle of the Washita, November 27, 1868, was the first victory in a campaign destined to bring an end to the Plains Indian barrier. By demonstrating that U. S. troops would fight in the winter when the Indians preferred to be left alone, it dealt a heavy blow to Indian morale. It also demonstrated the practicality and effectiveness of winter campaigning in the long struggle against the hostile Plains Indians. (1)
Stop 13: Sea of Grass: This site is an example of a mixed-grass prairie. Among the grasses found here are big and little bluestem, Indian grass, and buffalo grass. Two Cheyenne women, Moving Behind and Cornstalk Woman, used this grass to hide from the pursuing soldiers. Moving Behind later recalled this event, saying, "There was red grass along the path, and though the ponies had eaten some of it, it was still tall enough for us to hide." (from local trail pamphlet)
References (1) NRHP Nomination Form s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg...
13 Sea of Grass, Washita Battlefield NHS, Cheyenne, OK (2)
**Washita Battlefield National Historic Site** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 66000633, date listed 10/15/1966
NW of Cheyenne on U.S. 283
Cheyenne, OK (Roger Mills County)
A National Historic Landmark (www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/list-of-nh...).
The Battle of the Washita, November 27, 1868, was the first victory in a campaign destined to bring an end to the Plains Indian barrier. By demonstrating that U. S. troops would fight in the winter when the Indians preferred to be left alone, it dealt a heavy blow to Indian morale. It also demonstrated the practicality and effectiveness of winter campaigning in the long struggle against the hostile Plains Indians. (1)
Stop 13: Sea of Grass: This site is an example of a mixed-grass prairie. Among the grasses found here are big and little bluestem, Indian grass, and buffalo grass. Two Cheyenne women, Moving Behind and Cornstalk Woman, used this grass to hide from the pursuing soldiers. Moving Behind later recalled this event, saying, "There was red grass along the path, and though the ponies had eaten some of it, it was still tall enough for us to hide." (from local trail pamphlet)
References (1) NRHP Nomination Form s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg...