re: What was the most revered/feared Indian tribe in the 1800's?

Two candidates-the Comanche and the Blackfeet.

The Comanche were actually able to expand their range in the face of westward American expansion. They raided deep into Mexico, reaching as far as the Yucatan on occasion. On one memorable raid, they burned Austin, TX, and moved on to the gulf coast, where the citizens of Victoria had to escape on boats. Interesting fact: As many as one third of the Comanche population were of mixed or full Caucasian or Mexican descent. The Comanche way of life was more appealing than their own, and the Comanches were very free about adopting young outsiders.

The Blackfeet were also a tribe you didn't want to mess with, but most of their territory was in Canada, so you don't hear as much about them.

By the way, neither of these tribes were responsible for the worst defeat in US military history. That honor goes to the Miamis, who wiped out nearly half the entire US Army in one day's fighting LINK

Any good book recommendations on the Commanche?

The Comanche were raiding and killing the Spanish down in Mexico a hundred years before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. Once they had the horse, they owned the southern plains.

Blackfeet. To this day no one messes with the Blackfeet. Never defeated, still angry and very territorial about their res. Don't think of fishing the lakes on the res without checking in or hiring a guide.

The women of the Comanche were probably more feared than any other single tribal entity in North America. Once they had you, they had torture down to a science. They could bring the pain like nobody's business.

quote:

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Don't think of fishing the lakes on the res without checking in or hiring a guide.

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Take-um plenty scalp?

The Comanche tribe

Comanches,

After growing up in a family of blackfeet I can see why they might have been feared. Good to family but not to be messed with.