The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

ANTELOPE HILLS, BATTLE OF THE.

In spring 1858 Capt. John S. "Rip" Ford led a combined force of 102 Texas Rangers and 113 Indian allies, mainly Tonkawa, Anadarko, and Caddo, north from Texas against the Comanche. On May 12, 1858, the Rangers attacked a large Comanche village northwest of the Antelope Hills, on the north bank of the Canadian River near the mouth of Little Robe Creek in present Ellis County, Oklahoma.

A Comanche chief, Iron Jacket, wearing an old Spanish shirt of mail, rode forth to challenge the Rangers. His belief that his "medicine" and armor would protect him was shattered when he was killed by a bullet from the rifle of Anadarko and Caddo chief Jim Pockmark. The village was captured, and the battle became a running engagement between small groups and individual combatants as the Comanche fled. Reinforcements from neighboring Comanche villages arrived to challenge the invaders but were repulsed by the Texans, who then marched south.

Although hailed as a great victory in Texas, the incursion violated federal law pertaining to the sovereignty of Indian Territory. The results revealed to the Indians that the Texans could bring war to the Comanche. The fight is also known as the Battle of Little Robe Creek.

Bob Rea