Treatment of Comanche Captives
This research paper will examine the
treatment of white settlers who were taken captive by the Comanche in the
decades between 1825 and 1875. This examination of treatment will attempt to
answer the question of why certain individuals were treated better than others,
and what factors influenced this difference in treatment. Both primary and
secondary sources were used to gain a complete picture of what white captives
of different ages, gender, and personalities could expect as far as treatment
from the Comanche during captivity.
Primary Sources:
“Interesting Letter from
Governor Houston”
In this 1860 letter from Governor Houston to Washington, published
in the New York Times, Texas Gov.
Houston pleads the national government for aide in dealing with hostile Indians
on the Texas Frontier and even mentions individuals who have been carried into
captivity. This work was found on microfiche film at the library at the
University of Texas at Austin.
“Interesting Letter from
Governor Houston.” The New York Times, March
30, 1860.
“Indian Depredations”
This 1849 article originally published in The Texas American Democrat, specifically mentions captives taken by
Comanche, offering primary evidence that this was a major concern for Texas
settlers during this volatile time. This work was found on the University of
North Texas website in the Portal to Texas History.
“Indian Depredations.” Texas Democrat (Austin,
TX), July 14, 1849. The Portal to
Texas History
(accessed April 24, 2013).
Nine Years Among the Indians, 1870-1879
This is an autobiography written by Hermann Lehmann, who was taken
by Apache Indians in 1870. It was dictated by Lehmann and recorded by a long-time
friend. This book provides great first hand insight into what kind of treatment
a young male captive could expect from the Comanche. This work was obtained
from EBSCO host ebook collection on the Austin
Community College library website.
Lehmann, Herman, and J
Marvin Hunter. 1993. Nine Years Among the Indians, 1870-1879: The
Story of the
Captivity and Life of a Texan Among the Indians. Albuquerque, N.M.: Health
Press, 1993. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed March 9, 2013).
“The Comanche on the War-Path”
This 1873 New York Times
article details brutality against white settlers on the Texas frontier at the
hands of the Comanche. The atrocities listed in this article make it clear that
white settlers of the day would have reason to fear a raid carried out by the
dangerous tribe. This work was found on microfiche film at the library at the
University of Texas at Austin.
“The Comanches
on the War-Path.” The New York Times, December 12, 1873.
Secondary Sources:
“A Tragic Life”
This article by Gay Schlittler
Storms details the captivity of Rachel Parker Plummer, with information of her
treatment during that time. This work provided evidence in support of the
Comanche’s affinity for bravery as Plummer’s treatment changed after she exhibited
bravery and courage. This source was obtained
from EBSCO host on the Austin Community College library website.
Storms, Gay Schlittler.
2009. “A Tragic Life.”Graham Leader, July 19, 2009. 4A. Texas Reference
Center, EBSCOhost (accessed April 1, 2013).
“Army Captive”
An
article written by Gay Schlittler Storms, about the
captivity and treatment of an older, female captive. Storms details
the treatment that Elizabeth Anne Carter Clifton received during her year of
captivity, treatment that was poor as compared to the younger captives,
especially the males. This source was obtained
from EBSCO host on the Austin Community College library website.
Storms, Gay Schlittler. “Army Captive.”Graham Leader, March 14, 2010. 4A. Texas
Reference
Center,
EBSCOhost
(accessed April 1, 2013).
“Comanche
Life Viewed Through Captive Eyes”
This article provides a detailed account of Comanche captives
“Dot” and Bianca Babb, from their capture in 1866 to their rescue six months
later. The author, Gregory Michno, and his wife,
Susan, wrote a book on the subject of Indian captives called A Fate Worse Than Death, published in 2007. The favorable treatment
that Dot and Bianca received offers proof that the Comanche were willing to
accept white children into their tribe, provided that those captives were
capable of proving themselves worthy. This source was obtained from EBSCO host
on the Austin Community College library website.
Michno, Gregory F. 2007. “Comanche Life Viewed Though Captive Eyes.” Wild
West 19, no. 6:24.
MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost(accessed April 29, 2013).
Empire of the Summer Moon
This book contains many accounts of white settlers taken captive
by Comanche, but mainly focuses on Cynthia Anne Parker and her son Quanah. S.C.
Gwynne’s account of Cynthia Anne and Rachel Parker offered great insight into
two captives taken during the same raid, who received very different treatment.
Gwynne pulled from a variety of primary sources, including accounts of individuals
who knew Cynthia Anne and from Rachel Parker’s book. This work was obtained
from Half Price Books.
Gwynne, S.C. Empire of the
Summer Moon. New York: Scribner, 2010.
“Male Captives”
This article by Gay Schlittler Storms
offers a compelling argument for the idea that young male captives received better
treatment than their female counterparts. Schlittler cites
the accounts of John Richard Parker and Rachel Parker as evidence of this. This
source was obtained from EBSCO host on the Austin Community College library
website.
Storms, Gay Schlittler. “Male Captives.”Graham Leader, July 26, 2009. 4A. Texas Reference
Center, EBSCOhost (accessed April 1, 2013).
The Captured
This book provides an in depth examination of the factors that influenced
the treatment of Comanche captives during the 1800s. Though the work mainly
focuses on Adolph Korn, it contains a multitude of
information about many of the captives examined in the research paper such as
Bianca and Dott Babb. This work was obtained at the Austin
Community College library.
Zesch, Scott. The
Captured: A True Story of Abduction by Indians on the Texas Frontier. New
York:
St. Martin’s Press, 2004.
The Last Captive
This book offers valuable notes that work in tandem with Hermann
Lehmann’s original autobiography. Next to Lehmann’s original words, A.C. Greene
adds notes that place Lehmann’s words in a clearer historical context. Greene
examines why Lehmann would have certain feeling and sentiments and what
influenced them. This work was obtained from the Austin Community College
library.
Greene, A.C. The
Last Captive. Austin: Encino Press, 1972.
“The Red Haired Captive”
This article details the account of James Dunn, one of the few
adult male Comanche captives who were able to relay their tale to the public.
This account provided rare information about the treatment of adult male
captives and the influence that Anglo physical features had on some bands of
Comanche. This work was obtained from EBSCO host on the Austin Community
College library website.
Austerman, Wayne R. 2009. “Red Haired Captive.” Wild West 22, no. 4: 36
(2009).
MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed March 9, 2013).
By Daniel Fox