However, with tensions still soaring after the arrest of Satanta, Big Tree, and Satank, Kicking Bird was able to achieve little success.
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As a result, Satanta emerged in a prominent leadership role among his people and his reputation as a war-maker made him the dominant Kiowa figure to be reckoned with in the eyes of whites and other Indians.
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When Satanta stepped down as war chief in late 1874, to be arrested immediately thereafter, and Lone Wolf surrendered early the next year, Kicking Bird was the only remaining Kiowa chief with a sizable following.
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Over the next couple of years, Kicking Bird worked to obtain the release of Satanta and Big Tree.
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Following the battle, Kicking Bird and Satanta were in favor of making peace but Lone Wolf and several other chiefs refused and advocated war against the whites.
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In 1869, Kicking Bird helped to obtain the release of Lone Wolf and Satanta from army captivity after promising good behavior on their part.
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He is buried alongside many noticeable Kiowa leaders: Satank, Satanta, Stumbling Bear, Big Bow, Hunting Horse, and Quanah Parker.
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Kicking Bird was clearly the foremost advocate for an accommodation with the United States, but was opposed by Satanta, Lone Wolf, Big Tree, Maman-ti, and White Horse.
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As a result of the Battle of Washita, General Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer arrested Lone Wolf and Satanta and took them to Fort Sill.
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Kicking Bird engaged in numerous activities to placate Texas governor Edmund J. Davis, who was strongly opposed to releasing Satanta and Big Tree.
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Following the arrest of Satanta, Big Tree, and Satank, Kicking Bird worked to calm his tribesmen as the three chiefs were transferred to Fort Richardson.
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Lone Wolf, who had walked the peace path, was now indisposed and with Satanta removed from his position as head chief, which he lost while imprisoned, Kicking Bird became the dominant chief of the Kiowas.
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The ranks of war chiefs Satanta and Lone Wolf swelled in comparison and Kicking Bird lost much tribal support.
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In 1871, a ten-wagon mule train moving through Texas was attacked by some 100 Kiowa and Comanche warriors under the direction of Satanta, Satank, and Maman-ti.
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On January 15, 1870 a body of Kiowas under Satanta intercepted a Texas herd driven by Jacob Hershfield and robbed the drovers of money and supplies before killing some 150-200 head of cattle.
Satanta |