|
|
Biographical Notes
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher "Kit" Carson
|
|
|
In the spring of 1851 while returning from St. Louis with supplies for the ranch, Carson's wagon train was threatened with attack by Cheyenne Indians. Carson's daughter Adaline was returning home with him from her stay in St. Louis. Carson requested help from the Army. Major James Carleton led the relief force that escorted Carson and his daughter to Rayado. In the spring of 1852, a sentimental Carson led a small brigade of "old timer" trappers back into the mountains to once again trap beaver. In February 1853 Carson and Maxwell gathered a flock of sheep numbering 14,000 head and drove them to San Francisco with very little loss. The thousand mile trip took six months. On October 23, 1853, while Carson was away from Rayado, Josefa gave birth to a second son who was named William (in honor of William Bent). On January 9, 1854, Carson took up his duties as Indian Agent for the Utes, Pueblos, and Apaches. There was, at the time, considerable activity by hostile Indians raiding settler's homes and ranches. On April 3, 1854, Carson accompanied Lieutenant Colonel Philip St. George Cooke on a punitive raid against the Jacarilla Apache, but they were unable to make contact. The following month he accompanied Major James Carlton in another equally unsuccessful effort to come to grips with the Apaches.
|
|
|
The Indian raids continued and on Christmas Day, 1854, Fort Massachusetts was attacked and twenty some soldiers killed. In January 1855 Ute Indians joined with Apaches led by Chief Blanco in an attack on a Mexican settlement eighty miles above Bent's Fort. Carson guided a volunteer force led by Ceran St. Vrain that managed to bring Blanco to battle and force him to sue for peace. In 1857 Carson and Maxwell founded the town of Cimarron in Rayado Valley. In May 1857 Carson was named Indian Agent for the entire New Mexico Territory. In 1858 Jim Bridger went to Washington to personally appeal to President Buchanan for protection from Mormon harassment. Carson was ordered to travel to Utah to determine whether or not the Mormons were organizing the Indians against the United States. Carson met with the Muahuache Apache and reported that he did not believe that the Indians would side with the Mormons. In the meantime Jim Bridger was guiding General Albert Sidney Johnson's force toward Salt Lake City. In June 1858, Josefa gave birth to a second son - Christopher Charles.
|
|
|
One month after the Civil War started, Carson resigned his position as Indian Agent and was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the first Regiment of New Mexico Volunteers under the command of Colonel Ceran St. Vrain. Lieutenant Colonel Carson was assigned to Albuquerque where he was responsible for the recruitment of volunteers. Josefa and the children also moved to Albuquerque and a third son was born - Charles Christopher. Carson was promoted to Colonel when St. Vrain was forced to retire due to ill health. In 1862 Carson's unit was moved to Fort Union and Josefa returned to live in Taos. In February 1862 Confederate forces led by General Baylor occupied southern New Mexico. Confederate General H.H. Sibley with 3,500 men marched out of El Paso, Texas, with the intent of capturing the remainder of New Mexico. He was opposed by his brother-in-law, Colonel Edward R.S. Canby and 5,500 men including Carson's unit. On February 21, 1862, the two forces met at Val Verde near Fort Craig. Carson showed personal courage during the ensuing battle, but played no critical role. Canby was forced back to Fort Craig and the engagement was declared a Confederate victory. General Sibley occupied Santa Fe on March 23, 1862, after the Union authorities moved to west Las Vegas. On March 26, 1862, Confederate and Union forces again engaged in battle at Glorieta Pass. This engagement was a decisive Union victory and Sibley was forced to retreat back to Texas.
|
|
|
Colonel Carson remained at Fort Craig and was mentioned favorably in dispatches. He was given credit for ensuring that Indians in New Mexico did not help Sibley's force despite Confederate entreaties. Brigadier General James Carleton replaced Canby as commanding general of all Union forces in New Mexico. Early in 1863 General Carleton and Colonel Carson organized a successful campaign to subjugate hostile Navajo Indians. In the summer of 1864 Comanches, Kiowas, Arapahos, Cheyennes, and Apaches went on the warpath to protect their hunting grounds on the Great Plains. It was a very violent period with many brutal atrocities committed by both settler and Indian. In October 1864 Colonel Carson led a successful campaign against Comanches and Kiowas. The opening battle took place at "Adobe Walls", the remnants of the trading post that he and Maxwell had abandoned in 1848. It was to be his last "Indian Fight." On March 13, 1865, Carson was brevetted Brigadier General of the Army. On October 16, 1865, General Carson, General Jesse Leavenworth, and William Bent met with the Chiefs of the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho at Bluff Creek. At this meeting a formal apology was made for the treatment of the Indians by the United States Army. In addition assurances were made that the Indian's traditional hunting grounds would be preserved for their sole use.
|
|
|
After the council meeting General Carson went to St. Louis where he met with General William T. Sherman who was investigating Indian Affairs for the Department of the Interior. On December 8, 1865, General Carson assumed command of Fort Union near Taos. When General Sherman later visited Taos, Carson entertained him at his home. On March 6, 1866, at his request he was transferred from command of Fort Union to that of Fort Garland, eighty miles north of Taos. In September 1866 General Sherman visited Fort Garland and he and Carson negotiated a treaty with Chief Ouray of the Ute Indian tribe. Looking toward his retirement from the army Carson was concerned about the financial future of his family. He attempted to be appointed subtler for Fort Garland but was turned down. After that he began a campaign to be reappointed Indian Agent for New Mexico. General Sherman supported his appointment with a telegram to the Secretary of Interior saying "Kit Carson ought to be Supt. of Ind. Aff. in N.M.". A daughter was born to Josefa on December 23, 1866 - Estafana. Carson was mustered out of service in Santa Fe on November 22, 1867, and he and his family set up housekeeping in Boggsville.. In January 1868, President U.S. Grant ordered Carson's appointment as Indian Agent for New Mexico. In February 1868, Carson accompanied a delegation Of Ute Indians to Washington D.C. His health was failing but doctors in Washington and Boston were unable to help him. After visiting with friends he returned home.. In April 1868 Josephea gave birth to a girl - Josefita. Ten days later Josephea died. Carson died at Fort Lyon of an aneurism of the throat on May 23, 1868.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|