Can we all take a minute and appreciate how badass the Comanche were?

[Vino24]

During the 1800s, the Comanche were probably the most powerful tribe on the North American continent. Their empire stretched across (parts of) the modern states of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. After adopting the horse from the Spanish they became brutal warriors, choosing to fight while on horseback instead of leaping off. They were able to hang off horses while shooting a bow (insane) once they were in combat (many other tribes never achieved this high level of horsemanship). They used the horse to control vast swaths of territory and take thousands of prisoners from neighboring tribes, Americans, Spanish and Mexicans. The Comanche were also known for their brutality. I remember reading one story about how the Comanche tore open their captives stomachs and left them splayed out in the middle of desert to die. Torture played an important role in inter and intra tribal politics as it visibly demonstrated the power of a particular Comanche band (of which their were many in the region, which is now referred to as Comacnheria). They are often regarded as the most vicious and feared Indian tribe. Not all captives were treated cruelty though, women and children were often taken in and became members of the tribe. A white Texas woman, Cybthia Anne Parker, became the mother of Quanah Parker, one of the more powerful Chiefs on Comanche history, after she was captured (and chose to stay).

The Comanche posed a very real threat to the early United States. Kit Carson, the famed trapper turned Army scout turned colonel, nearly became the second Custer at the battle of Adobe Walls if it hadn't been for his lucky retreat.

[DoctorP]

cool story bro. i wanna ride a horse.

[DJMcDonald]

Thanks for the history lesson, teach.

[tpols]

where are they now?

[Vino24]

where are they now?

Gun > Bow

[Patrick Chewing]

Gun > Bow

Some Comanches used rifles, but they had a hard time operating them while on horseback, so they reverted back to arrows and knives.


It wasn't until the Colt came around that it made it easier to defend against random Comanche attacks against settlers.

[DoctorP]

Some Comanches used rifles, but they had a hard time operating them while on horseback, so they reverted back to arrows and knives.


It wasn't until the Colt came around that it made it easier to defend against random Comanche attacks against settlers.

yeah then the machine gun just... oof

[Metroid]

Torture is not something to admire.

[highwhey]

Thanks for the history lesson, teach.

You teach, i reach ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[DoctorP]

You teach, i reach ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[DoctorP]

[Patrick Chewing]

yeah then the machine gun just... oof

Yeah the Gatling Gun tore right through those savages. I wonder how many poor horses died throughout all that conflict.