During the summer of 1874, the U. S. Army launched a campaign to relocate the Comanche, Kiowa, Southern Cheyenne, and Arapaho Indian tribes from the Southern Plains to reservations in Indian Territory. Led by Colonel Ranald Mackenzie the Army moved the tribes on the Staked Plains from Fort Griffin, Fort Concho, Fort Richardson, Fort Sill, Fort Union, and Camp Supply. Buffalo Soldiers under the command of Col. Buell were a part of this new offensive to relocate the tribes of the Southern Plains onto their reservations once and for all. The offensive culminated in the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.

After the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon, the Army established Fort Elliott to help keep the peace in Northwest Texas and Indian Territory. Lt. Henry Flipper, the first African American to graduate from West Point, served as the Adjutant Officer at Fort Elliott. While stationed at Fort Elliott, Lt. Flipper oversaw the construction of telegraph lines across the Canadian River.