He had previous experience fighting on the Southern Plains.

In 1871, he had been present when General William Sherman personally witnessed a Kiowa raid on a wagon train at Salt Creek Prairie in Texas — an event that led to the arrest of Kiowa chiefs Satanta and Big Tree and produced significant political consequences.

In 1872, Mackenzie had conducted a successful strike on a Comanche encampment on the North Fork of the Red River, capturing nearly 130 women and children and a substantial horse herd, which provided a preview of the strategy he would employ at Palo Duro.

His orders for the 1874 campaign, from General Christopher C.