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Hancock's War: Conflict on the Southern Plains (Volume 28)
When General Winfield Scott Hancock led a military expedition across Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska in 1867, his purpose was a show of force that would curtail Indian raiding sparked by the Sand Creek massacre of 1864. But the havoc he and his troops wrought on the plains served only to further incite the tribes and inflame passions on both sides, disrupting U.S.-Indian relations for more than a decade.
William Y. Chalfant has devoted years of research to produce a detailed narrative covering the entire scope of Hancock’s “Expedition for the Plains.” This first thorough scholarly history of the ill-conceived expedition offers an unequivocal evaluation of military strategies and a culturally sensitive interpretation of Indian motivations and reactions.
Chalfant explores the vastly different ways of life that separated the Cheyennes and U.S. policymakers, and argues that neither side was willing or able to understand the needs of the other. He shows how Hancock’s efforts were counterproductive, brought untold misery to Indians and whites alike, and led to the wars of 1868.
One of the most significant Indian campaigns in American history, Hancock’s War is in many ways a microcosm of all the wars between Indians and whites on the high plains. Chalfant’s sweeping narrative forms the definitive history of a questionable enterprise.
William Y. Chalfant has devoted years of research to produce a detailed narrative covering the entire scope of Hancock’s “Expedition for the Plains.” This first thorough scholarly history of the ill-conceived expedition offers an unequivocal evaluation of military strategies and a culturally sensitive interpretation of Indian motivations and reactions.
Chalfant explores the vastly different ways of life that separated the Cheyennes and U.S. policymakers, and argues that neither side was willing or able to understand the needs of the other. He shows how Hancock’s efforts were counterproductive, brought untold misery to Indians and whites alike, and led to the wars of 1868.
One of the most significant Indian campaigns in American history, Hancock’s War is in many ways a microcosm of all the wars between Indians and whites on the high plains. Chalfant’s sweeping narrative forms the definitive history of a questionable enterprise.
548 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
18 people want to read
About the author
William Y. Chalfant
7 books3 followersWilliam "Bill" Chalfant was an attorney who wrote several books on the history of relations between whites and Native Americans on the Southern Plains.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 26, 2025
This was an outstanding book, outlining the history of Hancock's 1867 expedition to influence the Cheyenne and other Great Plains Native Americans. It starts with some good background material and then follows the expedition from Fort Riley to Fort Harker to Fort Larned, to Confrontation Hill and the Cheyenne Village, and finally it follows Custer's 7th Cavalry north in pursuit of the fleeing Cheyenne. It has good lessons on executing an expedition, the need for military leaders to be culturally aware of their potential adversaries, and it is an outstanding example of the challenges between U.S. citizens, the U.S. Army, and Native Americans.
November 8, 2013
William Y. Chalfant's book "Hancock's War: Conflict on the Southern Plains" is an interesting read, and certainly one of the most authoritative secondary accounts of that conflict. The author, a lawyer by training, does an excellent job scrutinizing the primary sources to determine a factual timeline of events - something difficult to achieve, given the conflicting sources of information on both sides of the conflict.
Among the few problems I had with Chalfant's work is that the author seems to think it necessary to remind the reader at every turn, and immediately after the quoting of a great many of the included Euro-American primary sources, that U.S. citizens and the U.S. Army were the invaders and the Cheyenne were only defending their land and way of life. While the Cheyenne certainly were defending their land and way of life, the constant nagging about that point becomes somewhat tiresome as the reader progresses throughout this lengthy book. The second problem that I have with this book is reflected in some of the smaller details. Chalfant refuses to address George A. Custer by his brevet rank (sometimes described as an honorary rank), but insists on addressing Indian Agents Leavenworth and Wynkoop by the title "Colonel," even though those were honorary titles for them. This makes it seem that the author has an axe to grind against Custer.
These shortcomings notwithstanding, Chalfant's book is exhaustively researched and detailed and is a valuable source of information on the conflict on the Southern Plains between 1867 and 1869. Custer enthusiasts will find a great deal of information about that officer and his initial experiences on the frontier, including the events leading to his court martial. Chalfant also does an excellent job outlining Cheyenne tribal structure and organization.
In short, Chalfant's book is a superior history of the subject - despite a somewhat biased approach, and it is well worth reading! Highly recommended!
Among the few problems I had with Chalfant's work is that the author seems to think it necessary to remind the reader at every turn, and immediately after the quoting of a great many of the included Euro-American primary sources, that U.S. citizens and the U.S. Army were the invaders and the Cheyenne were only defending their land and way of life. While the Cheyenne certainly were defending their land and way of life, the constant nagging about that point becomes somewhat tiresome as the reader progresses throughout this lengthy book. The second problem that I have with this book is reflected in some of the smaller details. Chalfant refuses to address George A. Custer by his brevet rank (sometimes described as an honorary rank), but insists on addressing Indian Agents Leavenworth and Wynkoop by the title "Colonel," even though those were honorary titles for them. This makes it seem that the author has an axe to grind against Custer.
These shortcomings notwithstanding, Chalfant's book is exhaustively researched and detailed and is a valuable source of information on the conflict on the Southern Plains between 1867 and 1869. Custer enthusiasts will find a great deal of information about that officer and his initial experiences on the frontier, including the events leading to his court martial. Chalfant also does an excellent job outlining Cheyenne tribal structure and organization.
In short, Chalfant's book is a superior history of the subject - despite a somewhat biased approach, and it is well worth reading! Highly recommended!
December 2, 2015
Interesting history and overview of 1867 and 68 in Kansas and surrounding areas. It certainly reveals both sides of this sad story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews