The Battle of Palo Duro

I am sharing with you words that were written by Ken Bryan, TXAPN Council Member from the Northeast Region.

On September 28, 1874 Colonel Ranald Mackenzie, 4th Cavalry, struck Indian encampments in the Palo Duro Canyon. This battle, though brief, was the beginning of the end of a way of life for the Plains Indian tribes. The losses suffered in this battle forced the hold outs into the reservation system that still exist to this day. During the battle members of the Comanche, Apache, Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes lost all there provisions for the coming winter. More important than the loss of provision was the loss of the ability to acquire new supplies. At the end of the battle Col. Mackenzie captured approximately 1,500 head of Indian horses, slaughtering over 1,000 head to prevent the Indians from recapturing them. The plains Indians no longer had the ability to hunt and care for their families without their horses. They were forced to accept life on the reservations as their only means of survival.

On April 23-24, 2010 members of the Texas Apostolic Prayer Network returned to Palo Duro Canyon and met with members of the Comanche, Apache, Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. The meeting was part of a continuing effort by TXAPN to reconcile and correct issues that have defiled the land and kept Texas from moving in the destiny God intended for our state. We brought gifts and offered our humble repentance for acts by our forefathers that have held up God’s blessings on both the First Nations people and the state of Texas. Tom Schlueter, head of TXAPN, led our organization in the events of these two days. Michael Burgess, Chairman of the Comanche Nation, served as spokesman for the five tribes. Apostle Jay Swallow, Southern Cheyenne, and Dr. John Benefiel, Heartland Apostolic Prayer Network joined us in coordinating this event.

Words would fail if I tried to describe to you what occurred over our 2 days of meetings, but I can say with confidence that God was a lot happier with the history we created this year compared to the history of 1874. We are on a journey of walking arm and arm with Kingdom minded people in preparation for the soon coming move of God. There were many tears as hearts were mended, friendships strengthened and new relationships started. TXAPN was the church at Palo Duro Canyon as we sought only to demonstrate the Lord’s unconditional love for mankind. This is part of the shift that is occurring as the church moves outside the four walls of a building and into the harvest fields. New structures are forming and new assignments continue to come forth. The Texas Apostolic Prayer Network will continue to work to bring together those called to prayer over Kingdom issues throughout the land and mobilize for strategic events such as “The Battle of Palo Duro 2010”. This time both sides won the battle.