Tejan is a name commonly given the Kiowas to captive Mexicans and whites taken in Texas and there were a number of Kiowa prisoners by that name. One of them, however, was more than a captive; he was the foster son of Maman-ti, the great spiritual leader of the Kiowas, and as such received respect and prestige, whatever his origins.
On the afternoon of September 7, 1874, in the hills adjacent to the head waters of the Washita river, east of the present site of Miami, Texas, a bizarre drama was enacted. Three men on horseback skulked silently among the rocks and scrubs, peering intently at a miniature city of tipis nestled in the sand hills beyond the river. A fourth man crouched on a cliff above.
The encampment was that of Lone Wolf, the Kiowa chief who once had sought peace with the encroaching white man, but since had become a powerful war leader in his people's struggle for freedom. With his advisor, Maman-ti, the embittered leader was laying plans for a last stand against the overwhelming forces that had destroyed his way of life and brought the death of his beloved son. It was Maman-ti's decision that their salvation lay to the west, in the virgin vastness of the Texas Panhandle.
The leader of the scouting party was a youthful Lt. Frank Baldwin, already a distinguished campaigner and destined for still greater glory. He eventually would become a general and the bearer of two Congressional Medals of Honor. With him were three top army scouts: William F. Schmalsle, a wiry little German; Lemuel T. Wilson and Ira G. Wing. Journeying to Camp Supply, this group had already had two dangerous encounters with hostiles. Their report on the size and location of Lone Wolf's force would be an item of vital interest to their commander, Col. Nelson Miles, whose forces were camped somewhere on the Canadian River.
The sound of leisurely approaching hoof beats sent the men into hiding. Soon three colts ambled by, headed toward the village, followed by a muscular young man, almost naked, leading a mule. His long hair, braided Kiowa-style, glistened red blond. His eyes were blue and his thick neck was that shade of red one associates with the Irish. He appeared about eighteen years of age.
The astonished soldiers stepped into the open without raising their guns. The youth brought into play an ancient muzzle loader. Then his manner changed; he lowered the rifle and spoke to them in English. He was called Tejan and said he knew no other name. This seemed dubious, as his knowledge of English suggests he was eight or more at the time of his capture by the Kiowas. He had left the village to bring back the strayed colts and stayed out to hunt buffalo. Baldwin took no chances; he confiscated the boy's gun, mule and moccasins and had him ride double with one of the scouts. these precautions were well taken, for Tejan had no love for his own race. Maman-ti had seen to that. The rough life of the nomad appealed to the youth, and he had gone on raids in Texas with the famed Big Bow and his father, the most feared and loved member of the Kiowa aristocracy.
Shortly after the next dawn, Baldwin's party met a wagon train carrying provisions to Gen. Miles' command, which was moving into the Washita country. Baldwin delivered his prisoner to Lt. Wyllys Lyman, Fifth Infantry, who was in charge, then rode on to rejoin Miles. Schmalsle remained with the wagon train.
Lyman was cordial to Tejan. He issued him a uniform, basked a few friendly questions and treated him as a guest. Tejan went along with this, pretending to be pleased to be among his own people but actually looking for an opportunity to escape. On the morning of September 9, Lyman's thirty-six wagons moving south toward the Washita in a double column with some fifty infantrymen marching guard on either side. Thirteen troopers under Lt. Frank West rode ahead as skirmishers. At about 8 a.m. West's men drove back a war party which opened fire at long range, and by 2 p.m. the train had proceeded some twelve miles, to within a mile of the river. As the wagons struggled across a ravine the Kiowas attacked at both flanks in heavy force.
As the wagons were being corralled, Lt. Granville Lewis, in charge of rear defense, fell with a shattered knee. Sgt. DeArmond, hero of several campaigns, was killed. After a furious battle the Indians withdrew to carry on with long range fire while the soldiers dug pits and prepared bulwarks. Next day the hopelessly entrapped troops were parched with thirst. Schmalsle volunteered to ride through the enemy lines to seek help. He did just that: rode right through, catching the Kiowa by surprise and emerging unscathed beyond. A group of braves pursued and the scout's doom seemed certain as he rode across a grassy plain. Ahead loomed an immense herd of bison. Without hesitation, Schmalsle plunged his mount headlong onto the rolling mass and the Indians, thinking him insane, turned back.
Some of Lyman's men wanted to run to a nearby creek for water, but they were forbidden to go. On the third night several of them decided to defy orders and try for the creek. Tejan joined their suicidal race through the