Beginning Sept. 9, 1874, and lasting for five days, Lyman’s Wagon Train Fight, also known as the “Battle on the Upper Washita,” became the longest engagement of the Red River War. During his pursuit of the Indians, Colonel Nelson A. Miles seriously overextended his column’s supply lines, and provisions became dangerously depleted. On Sept. 1, he ordered Captain Wyllys Lyman to escort 36 empty supply wagons to meet a bull train loaded with provisions from Camp Supply in Indian Territory.
Besides 36 civilian teamsters, Lyman’s escort included 38 soldiers of Company I, 5th Infantry, and one junior officer, First Lieutenant Granville Lewis. Twenty additional 6th Cavalry troopers, 13 of them mounted, commanded by Second Lieutenant Frank West, joined Lyman’s escort further up the trail.
Miles was unaware that on Aug. 22 a large group of Kiowas and Comanches who had registered at the Wichita Agency near Anadarko had revolted and fled westward and were now in position to cut him off from his supplies at Camp Supply.