Black Kettle and his wife were killed as they fled across the river.

The regiment destroyed the village, killed the horse herd — approximately 800 horses — and took captives including women and children.

The Washita Massacre was celebrated as a victory in the American press of the time and cemented Custer’s reputation as an aggressive and effective Indian fighter.

For the Cheyenne — including the Northern Cheyenne who were present at Little Bighorn eight years later — it was a defining trauma.

When Northern Cheyenne warriors fought alongside the Lakota at Little Bighorn in 1876, they were fighting the same regiment that had attacked Black Kettle’s village.