Comanche
83
I have family in Texas. I go to visit from time to time. Not long ago, I broke down in the vast expanse of hardscrabble, dirt clod soil and sparse mesquite. It was beyond reach of my cheap cell phone service, and I was at a loss as to what to do. I sat under the shade of the open trunk of my car to figure it out. About a half hour went by and this old pick-up truck came clattering down the endless, two lane black top. It slowed and came to a stop behind me. The driver was wearing a tarnished Stetson hat, well-worn Levi’s, a tight fitting plaid, thin, cotton shirt with mother of pearl buttons and sleeves rolled up a couple of turns. In sharp contrast to the faded outfit, he had on a brand new pair of high heel cowboy boots, with extraordinary designs in red, yellow, and white that were incised into rich, lamp black leather.
After introducing himself and assessing the situation, he retrieved a towing chain from the bed of the truck, hooked me up and towed me twenty eight miles to the gas station. There was a mechanic on duty, but he wouldn’t be able to fix my car in what was left of the day. In South West Texas, there isn’t much to do and it can get lonesome out in “farm” country. The old boy’s face lit up when he heard the news. I am not sure if it was from the thought of having company or the fact that he saw a brand new bottle of Old Grandad 100 proof bourbon in my trunk. It is a “dry county” and the booze was a present for my uncle. The old guy was quick to invite me to his place for dinner and a night's rest.
After dinner, we poured drinks and listened to Willie Nelson, Hank Snow and Merle Haggard on the radio. He didn’t have a TV set. After a couple of short glasses of the sweet sipping whiskey, he spun this yarn. I present it here, pretty much as it was told. I am not Samuel Clemens, so I will not attempt to replicate the colloquial dialect. That is why I will not use quotes. His facts don’t always match what you read about the Comanche in reference material, but I couldn’t tell who is wrong. There will be a couple of links at the end of the piece that will benefit those who wish to learn more about these people.
The affable old Texan took another pour for his story.
My great grandma was a full blooded Comanche. That’s where I got my high cheek bones. She married an Arcadian (Cajun) Frenchman that drifted down here from Canada. The French weren’t Indian haters like the American white folks were. I guess he thought she was pretty. I don’t know, we don’t have any pictures.
Colonel Ronald S. MacKenzie, who was in charge of the war against them, said the Comanche were the best light Cavalry in the world. They (we) were defeated by the sheer number and better weapons of the American Army. The Comanche’s pretty much died to the man. Their religion wouldn't let them submit to the Europeans destructive practices. They believed that the Great Spirit made everything and the earth was their mother, since she nourished them. Where is the mother in Christianity? There is the “Bride of Christ”, but that is the daughter in-law.
The Comanche were relatively peaceful before the Spanish Arrived. They were instantly submissive, because they thought the Spanish were some kind of superior being (not gods like American history books say) because of the horses and shiny armor. The Spanish forced them to carry their armor and take care of their horses. There were two ages. The age of the dog (they used dogs like Eskimo) and the age of the horse.
The Comanche’s caught on fast. They didn't break horses like the Europeans. They talked to the horse and asked permission. I guess the horse said,” Sure, you seem nice enough, but please don’t use a saddle.” The Comanche used skins instead of saddles . . . and beautiful lttle blankets (there are a couple left in museums) to cover the horses back. I’m sure the horses were proud of the way the Comanche decorated them up.
After the Comanche learned to ride, they got more out of a horse than anyone else ever had. In short order, they drove the Spanish and every other tribe out of the area. The fierce Apaches, who weren’t great horsemen, were no match for them. The Comanche made a tradition out of stealing horses and kidnapping people for ransom. Eventually, this was their undoing. The Texans and Americans didn’t put up with that sort of thing like other Indians and the Spanish did.
The Comanche gave them a pretty tough scrap, but in the end it was to their ruin. What the Comanche had going for them was their relationship with their horses. Their ponies were smaller and faster than American horses, plus, they had no load other than a rider. You know how Americans are. They go into combat with 50 pounds of gear. They will chase 20 Apaches with 3,000 men and a supply chain.
The Comanche were in much better shape than the American army, with their diet of hard tack, beans and salt pork. They could shoot arrows at targets behind them at full gallop like the Mongols. They gave the Americans hell when they goaded them into chasing after them. Try shooting a nine pound pistol from a galloping horse. They could hang off the neck of their horse and put a couple of arrows in you real quick from fifty or sixty yards off . . every time. They didn't have many rifles. You couldn't shoot them from a horse, and they almost never fought on foot if they could help it. They would rather have a shot gun or an old musket. They settled for shooting at the horses with them sometimes, but it broke their heart. They recognized the majesty of the “Horse Spirit”, sort of like the Arabs did.
They did not see themselves as superior to the animals. Each animal had a spirit and was their blood relative. If they killed any animal for food, they sort of asked God first. They didn't talk about God much at all, they just took it for granted that there was a Great Spirit running the show. After they killed the animal, they apologized for being in such a pathetic position as to have to kill to eat. They were in Texas and did little cultivation like the “children of the morning sun” as they called eastern tribes. They shed a tear or two, mourned and sent the animals spirit to heaven with a prayers and a song. When they were done with the meal, they would sit around a small fire, and have a little smoke of tobacco. Then they would sit and listen with anticipation as the elders would tell stories and give riddles to the children to solve. One survives today in America . . . the “Guessing Game”. Have you ever played it? You ask a riddle,“What am I thinking of?”
The child responds, “Is it bigger than a bread box?”
See how the story telling quiets the soul?
They made fancy clothes out of skins and did beautiful weavings. If they were closing in on finishing a project and they had not made a mistake on it, they would throw a small glitch into the project on purpose. They did not want to be so presumptions as to compete with God.
American “Indians” prefer to be called First Nation Americans. The Europeans called them Indians, because the dummies thought they had sailed all the way around the world to India. It is amazing how First Nation Americans are not bitter today.
Like I said, the Comanche’s almost died to the man. The Americans spared most of the women, but you know how it is . . . collateral damage. It is not a good idea to provoke the American army. There is a significant percentage of them who accepted plea deals from the judge when they were facing serious felony charges for crimes like assault with a deadly weapon or beating someone up in a bar fight.They also introduce things into the culture like t-shirts and pornography. Things are never the same.
Learn more aboout the History of the Comanche people.
Link to Official Website of the Comanche Nation
Experts at survival on the Great Plains of North America
Let it roll!
- Welcome to the Comanche Nation Casino Official Website!
Welcome to the Comanche Nation Casino Official Website!
Here are some relevant books that you may want for your collection.
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The Americans recognized that the strength of the Comanche was rooted in their tribal bond and strong sense of the group as a single unit. They fought as an organism and flowed around and through the rigid formations and structure of the cavalry. Bureau of Indian affairs was assigned to indoctrinate the vanquished people into American society. They forcefully removed children from the home and sent them to military boarding schools. The families were so closely intertwined that Comanche mothers could not eat, sleep or function from the ordeal. The mandate was, " We will teach them to exalt the individual as Americans do." It didn't work. It only made the condition of the Comanche more deplorable.
Comanche code talkers were counting coup in WW2
Warriors
 | Amazon Price: $27.00 List Price: $30.00 |
A very detailed and accurate study of Comanche history.
- Comanche-Part One
"As moving targets they were difficult to hit, and if an enemy fired and had to reload, a Comanche could close rapidly with his lance or send six arrows into an opponent while hanging under the neck of a galloping horse."
The famous Comanche Buffalo Dance . . . then and now.
Do you think that it is better to stress the individual, or stress the group?
See results without votingRelax the mind, sooth the nerves and loosen the lips.
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Great subject, great pictures, and put together beautifully. I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I've been fascinated with the Apaches for as long as I can remember. I didn't think there was much I didn't know, but I learned a few things today.
I'm a blood descendent of Sam Houston on my mom's side, and Jessie James was my great grandfather's nephew (what ever that is to me) I've got a chunk of Comanche from my father in me, and I'm a Geronimo buff to the max.
Something a lot of people don't know about the Apaches is that although they did eat some meat, they were largely vegetarians.
I grew up in Texas, and live in southern Arizona now. I'm a desert rat complete with a souped up 53 Willis. I have tons of desert treasures including a lot of broken Apache pottery.
Wow, I didn't mean to come in and write a hub in your comments section, I just really liked the hub bro.
jim
SubRon7 - Thanks for the comment. We have Seminoles around here. They aren't really a traditional tribe, Seminole means runaway in Spanish. They are Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, Cherokees and like that. They got forced south by the Americans. There may have been some treaties broken. A man should keep his word. The Miccosukee Seminoles down by Miami can trace their lineage straight back to the Creeks in L.A. (lower Alabama). The Seminoles never surrendered. They just skirmished and sniped the American army in the swamps until they gave up and went home. There are black Seminoles . . . runaway slaves who the Seminoles readily accepted.
Hey, ManWithNoPants - It's always good to hear from you. Yeah, you have a rich Native American heritage out in that desert. I will do one soon on a Pima legend, "Why are the Apache so fierce?" I got some other things first. One advantage to being border line ADD . . . no telling what you will wander off and do next. You can work your short comings to an advantage if you just keep working. Not you, me. Well, maybe you, too. I am getting more exercise lately, thanks for the push.
interesting story...funny how a car breaking down can present the opportunity to hear a new story.
WD, that was a beautiful story. And beautiful opportunity. I'm from West Texas, and I too lived in Arizona desert country. My first schooling was at Comanche Elementary in Ft. Stockton, Texas. My own family tradition talks of First Nation blood from my father's side of the family, mixed in with all the German-Swede.
Great to read of all the wisdom of old.
Hi WD - This was a great story and some cool photo's. Thanks for the good read.
Hi WD,
I knew we liked each other for a reson. I'm part Lakota. So of course I love this hub. It is wonderful and the pictures are fantastic. You really put it together well in a very professional manner.
Thumbs up and I am hitting every other rating as well first person.
All My Best,
JT
Hey folks! I am glad you appreciate the effort. We forget how trouble can turn to blessing. We should take it in stride. That is trust. We are almost all muts (and nuts) in this country after awhile. It contributes to our strength. I love it out west and some of our most solid writers are from out there. I am always glad when a poet/sage comes by. It's mean to tease that dog. When a truly gifted, well educated, versatile, sophisticated professional likes my work . . . I can be proud.
HI WD,
You should be proud of your work as it is brilliant and everyone of your commenters agree.
JT
You should be proud WD. Your work is great. I enjoy it.
Now . . . these are two extremes. It is a crazy world. You have to love it. I am glad I met both of you. I love magazines. We have trouble with the post office in Florida. I never get my subscriptions anymore and can't straighten it out. You two fix my jones. PADDYBOY60 lifts my spirits and JT gets me thinking and takes me on trips to Paris. I need that whole set by the way.
Hi WD,
I'm glad to have met you as well my friend.
JT
Great hub and I loved the illustrations. Thanks for sharing.
This is a great story. I learned a lot. My Father was one half indian. They were a proud people. Enjoyed the pictures. Thank you...
Chip - This is truly great writing! Like you, I need to come back when I can linger and absorb it more. There is much to ponder and learn in it! It is so well done! I am awed by Native American culture and accomplishments.
This is, indeed, a kiss for Texas. Thank you!
Great article WD, Seems like I remember in the film "last of the mohicans", One impressive brave shot a dear with a flintlock musket and apologized in advance to the animal before he shot and praised the animal and apologized after he shot it. Seems like the idea of avoiding being an imposition to nature goes across tribes. Most informative and great photos, Cred2
Glad you could come by. This story has been on my heart for awhile. We are struggling in Florida. Nothing was working. I remembered a famous English author (not well - forgot name). He went broke and wrote his way out of it. So did Samuel Clemons. I determined to give it a try. Nothing else was working. I didn't have much luck. Not only has the post office in Florida been taken over by crooks, my 1970's format was getting my manuscripts tossed in the trash without a look. There was a shortage of writers back then. I should have struck while the iron was hot.
I did a little piece for a fishing mag about that trash fish tilapia. One of the editors said it was perfect for Hubpages. Here I am. I have written more in 6 weeks than I have in 30 years. I appreciate your support and comments. It is very encouraging at a time when I truly need it. The Lord will provide.
I love magazines! I hardly ever receive my subscriptions (post office), ya'll fix my jones and give me inspiration. Thanks, Chip
Hello, WD,
This is one of the most entertaining and informative pieces of writing I have read in quite some time. Ever since I was a young child, I have been fascinated with the cultures of American Indians, especially those who inhabited the southwestern regions of what is now the U.S.
What an awesome piece of work. Interesting and very informative. I so enjoyed reading this.
And you have some great photos here too.
feenix - originally from the west coast, now in NY (what are you thinking?). The native people out there are most interesting. They were in a perpetual competiton to see who could throw the biggest party, feed the most people and give the most presents. Potlatch . . . we need it, now. It will get us out of this mess.
Rosemary - the Moire people of New Zealnd had a number done to them by the ethnocentrism of the British. It is a bad habit they picked up from the Romans.
Maybe the maori did have a number pulled on them but they are sure playing on it to the fullest today.
Great Hub I find it amazing when history finds you. My Great Grand Mother was full blooded Cherokee. I studied the history and it was horrible considering most Cherokees were already integrated and a part of society to include the acceptance of Christianity and still suffered the Trail of Tears. While visiting Tennessee I rented some horses just to go riding and by complete mistake ended up at the site where they were forced to give up their land and begin the march down the Trail of Tears. History can be amazing when it finds you.
I had an opportunity to go to the Dallas Museum of Art for a spectacular exhibit of
"Art of the American Indiana". It encompassed one hundred spectacular works of art from across North America, from far south to far north from ash to west. These folks were brilliantly attuned to their environment, incredibly artistic and talented. I was blown away. We progressed from one amazing display to the next, totally entranced.
The exhibit is ended, but there is still a bit about it online:
Rosemary50 - Do they have the only legal casinos like the Comanche? I don't believe they suffered the kind of genocide that was perpetuated on the native Americans. Go All Blacks! Sorry abut the spelling, I am borderline dyslexic and must watch the keys. Too late to edit. I hate Quark.
SanXuary - Andrew Jackson, first king of America. They just walked up with bayonets marched them off into the freezing weather and said,"Thanks for the house, the farm and the livestock" Never mind, they never said thank you.
Nellieanna - You give me great links. I still visit the harmonica one. We have the Miccossukee Seminoles here. Seminole means runaway. Miccosukee is what the other Creeks called this group. It means raisers of fat hogs. I don't know what they were called before the Spanish brought the pigs. They are wonderful artists and musicians. They make fun of white folks all the time on their TV show . . . Miccosukee magazine. They are calm and sure of themselves. They never surrendered and remind themselves of it every day. . . I will get you a link.
I didn't know that Seminole meant runaway, but there's a rather heartbreaking chapter in our history of which I'm reminded en route to the ranch. There's a Seminole Canyon - in the wilds of southwest Texas - near where the Pecos River joins the Rio Grande. There are ancient pictographs in caves in the canyons there, 'way prehistoric.
But it got its name when our early government saw fit to relocate many native Americans far from their familiar habitat or routes, to subdue them. Some of those in Florida were placed in these rough Canyons in the process. I can never think of Seminole Canyon without a twinge of deep regret. I've read current accounts of their survivors' life in Florida. Very impressive. And I'm sure they have some vivid memories making them sure of themselves and determined to keep their rightful place.
I feel thesame twinge. I felt it when my Mom took me there as a boy.
My daughter-in-law is Cree, and we read your hub with much enjoyment. Up here, the First Nations People often preface a story with the words, "This may not be exactly as it happened, nevertheless, this is a true story." That kinda sums it up for me. Keep up the great work.
hey wd wing-man drones
Who told you about that? Keep it close to the vest, bro! or sis, or whatever. I'm getting paranoid now, I need a fake identity.
ufo you know
That's no joke. Hit the ads when you come by.
still tryin to work this confuser...done
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No telling . . . but if you are willing to make a sacrifice to save the world, I would guess group. If that's true, you are in good company.
no stress, bad company till' the day I ...
I enjoyed this piece. I spent much time reading about our native americans whom I have a soft spot in my heart. I did read that the comanche were among the best riders and the bravest warriors and that the apache feared them. I used to take $20 bills and write in small letters around Jacksons portrait remember the trail of tears. my shot at street art you could say. Im an artist so from one to another thank you for your positive comment and here's your thumbs up on the nice piece. I read that Custers scout said..you dont have enough bullets. Custer said to the crow..you can go if you want and Im sure he did.
Always listen to a Native American, he will not lie. I am glad to meet a kindred soul. I like your street art.
I can't remember the name of the preacher, off hand, but some old fiery prophet pinned Jackson to the pew one Sunday. When he saw the President in the congregation, he forgot his sermon and railed on Old Hickory for what he had just done to the Cherokee. He wrapped up the impromptu measage with,"If Andrew Jackson does not repent, he will be leading his army straight to hell!" I may have missed a word or two, but that's the jist of his commentary that day. If he ignored that scout, he will fare worse than Custer. Good to have you by.
WD Curry, perhaps the reason you responded favorably to something I wrote in one of the religious forums (thank you very much for the generous fan mail) is because we share a common heritage - I too come from French/Comanche lineage.
I recall reading years ago how that, in one single generation, the Comanche became such remarkably expert horsemen (not just riding but breeding, training, etc) that European and Arab traders and nobility came to the Comanche nation to get their horses from the great Comanche horse masters.
Their government was fascinating as well - the most elaborate yet direct order of any tribes, the Comanche had no single leader but were governed by councils, and those members of the ruling councils were not voted in or of a 'noble' family nor did they win any manner of contest - they were simply recognized by the tribe as honest and thoughtful and bold, etc . . . they just kind of ascended by general consent.
And, as you suggest, as warriors not the Apache or Sioux or anyone would challenge them and no tribe gave more trouble to or lasted longer against the U.S. military. A most remarkable people.
Don't forget the Seminoles. They never surrendered.
Your point about Comanche leadership is spot on. They didn't worry about that sort of thing unless something came up that required organization . . . usually a buffalo hunt, raids or war. Their religion was similar. They just accepted what was real and didn't make too much of a big deal about it.
They did have an instant affinity with the horse. Maybe, because the Comanche are a humble people.
WD. Great read, I love the breakdown story ,it is experiences like that that make us rich in wisdom ! Full in spirit and instills a yearning for the mind. Facts , legends all melded together to give us all perhaps ,What we think we really know !...I have read that the Comanche were some of the cruelest warriors of native American tribes and yet who knows.....great hub!
Thanks for coming by and leaving a great comment. Sometimes when we are full of distilled spirits we have a yearning to speak our mind.
Interesting story and I like the way you presented it. The pictures were amazing and the Buffalo Dance from 1894 was a fascinating video addition. This tale put me in mind of the movie "Little Big Man" with Dustin Hoffman, one of my all time favorites.
PegCole - Yeah, That was a great film. My favorite part was when the old warrior thought he was invisible.
Comanche are charismatic, and yet, surprisingly, not haughty. Had they better rifles than the Europeans, and were a bit more aware of their riches, they could have retained America to themselves. It's my theory from here, which is conditioned to change...
Calling this a 'great hub' would be injustice.
I can only foretell that you would love India once you join here. This culture is a lot like the Comanche's - vibrant and colorful.
The Comanches were simply overpowered and driven out. There were too many Europeans. Many tribes made treaties with the American government, but they turned out to be worthless a few years later. You hear a lot about foreign dept over here. If we did like our ancestors, we would just burn them for the money and say, "Too bad."
Some might have said 'Too good'. This hub is super great - I guess and hope you caught the cryptic language before. I went to the Comanche website - they have currently 3 openings, I thought I might join as a van driver, but it required high school diploma and an Oklahoma driving license...I might try later.
The Comanche, it seemed to me at least, appeared like a lake before a sea - struggling to protect its originality. I might be speaking air, but that is a tough battle. The Comanche did not fit into the mechanical European prototype.
I think an Indian should have a good chance at a job on the Indian Reservation. Don't give up. You can get a drivers licence. It is easy to drive in Oklahoma . . . right turn, left turn or straight ahead.
No they didn't. Your analogy is right on. I am studying Seminole History right now. I am finding that the standard Florida History class drastically oversimplifies the story. The Europeans believed the land belonged to their despots back home. They never did understand the culture that already existed when they "discovered" the New World". They really were not interested in primitive cultures, they had a job to do and God was on their side.
If being technologically advanced is the only hallmark of a true culture, then I disagree, and the Europeans were eating air. Culture or civilization, whatever you call it, is nothing but to help and develop human beings. All science and diagrams and charts and machines are to make life better for human beings, and if it is failing to do so, it's all worthless.
Empathy creates culture. Refinement creates culture. The Comanche have them in full, and it's a big mistake to call them 'primitive'. In my eye, at least, the Europeans are drastically primitive, once you consider the cruelty and violence they have generously spread throughout the world.
...I better try for the van driver's job.
Any good person will read all the works of history , read even the fictional naritives , go and visit the tribal lands , listen, listen and listen more! Watch the cowboys and indian movies . And then He [she] will judge for themselves. Are we better off today than then? Who is the victor and who is the loser , Only our Gods , and the Gods of the natives can truely judge us in the end, each of us! There is much written about the "indian " wars and the westward expansionism. Yet the truest judgement of all is reality, today , right here and now , Who is or isn't "better off ", who tries the most to assimilate or not ? Not one person alive today can be the master judge of determining of our guilt or innocence , we could ALL do better , whites , Natives , Hispanic and green for that matter , Today we need to break down the walls of judgement , open the doors of understanding and become the change we wish to see! I love these hubs that make us think! That open our hearts and our minds , awesome job!
Golden Bird - These are lofty concepts. The Comanche lived a simple life. Raiding was part of their way of life, so they made their neighbors nervous.
ahorseback - I am always glad to have a thinker leave a great comment.
SubRon7 Level 7 Commenter 6 months ago
Wow, great hub, WD Curry, I love First Nation American history. I met some young Ojibwa men this summer. They too, Prefer "First Nation."