Stop Thirteen

Mixed-grass prairie at Washita.

NPS / Christian Schroll

Quick Facts

Location:

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

The mixed-grass prairie around you is protected by the National Park Service for its ecological importance. At Washita Battlefield, though, these prairie grasses also tell powerful stories.

During the attack, the Cheyenne camp was completely surprised and everyone ran for their lives, including two Cheyenne women, Moving Behind and her aunt Cornstalk Woman.

Moving Behind, a Cheyenne girl, and her aunt Cornstalk Woman used the tall little bluestem grass around you to hide from pursuing soldiers.

“The soldiers would pass back and forth near the spot where I lay. As I turned sideways and looked, one soldier saw us, and rode toward where we lay. He stopped his horse, and stared at us. He did not say a word, and we wondered what would happen. But he left, and no one showed up after that. I suppose he pitied us, and left us alone.”

Years later, Moving Behind was introduced to that same soldier.

What do you think might have been said?

What would you have done in this situation?