Hancock's Order to Burn the Indian Village

"...the Village recently occupied by them which is now in our hands will be entirely destroyed."

- Special Field Orders No. 13, April 18th 1867, Pawnee Fork, Kansas

 

Photo of Hancock's original orders to burn the Cheyenne-Lakota Indian village.

NPS Photo

 

Headquarters Department of the Missouri, in the field.

Camp No. 15, Pawnee Fort, Kansas, April 18^th 1867

Special Field Orders
No. 13
1…. As a punishment for the bad faith practiced by the Cheyenne and Sioux who occupied the Indian Village at this place, and as a chastisement for murders and depredations committed since the arrival of the command at this point by the people of those tribes, the Village recently occupied by them which is now in our hands will be entirely destroyed.
All property within the village, such as tools, camp Equipage, etc., will be preserved and taken up as captured property by Capt. G.W. Bradley, (A.Q.M.), Chief Quartermaster of the Expedition.
Brevet Major General J.W. Davidson, Major, 2^nd U.S. Cavalry, Acting Inspector General of this Department will take an accurate inventory of all species of property in the village, previous to its destruction.
Brevet Major General (A. J. Smith), Colonel 7^th U.S. Cavalry, Commdg Dist of Upper Arkansas, is charged with the execution of this order.
By Command of Major General Hancock
“Signed” W.G. Mitchell
Capt. A.A.A. General