Captives (Of Indians)

Routine administrative correspondence from Ignacio Ramon, comandante of Punta de Lampazos to Ramon de Castro. Contains cover letters to Estados de fuerza, diaries of military campaigns and others materials not included in body of correspondence. Brief descriptions of Indian depredations at reales of Vallecillo and Iguana which mention number of Indian warriors, cattle and horses taken, plus retaliatory measures taken by militia and regulars. Mentions deposition of Spanish woman held captive by Indians (not included), and proposed campaign by Comanches against Apaches. (J. H. Ochs, November 1988)

58 oficios from Vaamonde, governor of Nuevo Leon, to Castro, comandante general de Provincias Internas sent in response to fija sobre sueldos a oficiales (f. 365); Acuna granted gobierno of use of military uniform by civilians (f. 369); Vaamonde recognizes nomination of Castro as comandante general de for transfer of captain Tovar and family to Rio Grande presidio fugitive Indian from Bejar apprehended in Nuevo Leon (f. 386); collection of limosna for rescate de cautivos per viceregal marques de Bajamar (f. 392); Vaamonde promulgates order concerning general amnesty for contrabandistas (f. 401, 406); (ff. 402, 417); copy of letter from Ramon, teniente at Lampazos, concerning theft of horses from Rio Grande (f. 403); disposition of correspondence to Castro during comandante general's visita to Texas (ff. 408, 413, 415); Vaamonde resulting in injury suffered by tlaxcalan, death of Arriero, plus request that presidios abandoned on Rio Grande be re Borrados from San Cristobal (f. 414); Vaamonde received order stating that conductores de valijas are forbidden to carry descuento de Invalidos y Monte Pio (f. 412); received copies of brief informe from virreyes, presidentes, etc. Of state of agriculture, population, roads, etc. In indias (f. 420); mass sung and 3 nights of veneration done in honor of birth of prince (f. 421); Vaamonde orders publication of circular order virrey's peace proposal with Lipanes (ff. 423, 431); Vaamonde acknowledges receipt of royal decree conceeding to Gordoqui Gracia y facultad of putting media firma on all avisos, oficios, and Ordenes concerning Spain and Indies (f. 424); Vaamonde transfers two salvaguardias from Purificacion to gualahuices to contain fugas E inquietudes of Indians present there (f. 425); sends testimonio of Gonzalez Huerta for nomination as Habilitado of Lampazos (ff. 426, 432); received copy of Bando concerning foundation of colegio in Granada for instruccion y adelanto of nobles americanos (f. 427); received copy of order stipulating that no military person may contract marriage without permission of padres, abuelos, tutores o curadores (f. 428); received order freeing governors of Provincias Internas (except Sonora, Nueva Vizcaya) from Media anata (f. 430). (J. H. Ochs, October 1988)

Monthly military diaries and Estados de fuerza for presidio de San Juan Bautista de la Punta de Lampazos for years 1791-1793. Diaries include brief accounts of Mariscadas against indios Enemigos; manifest of damages caused by Indian raids enumerating Spanish casualties, cattle stolen, and other depredations suffered at Vallecillo, la Iguana, and Lampazos. Estados de fuerza enumerate officers and soldiers, destinations and dispositions, quantities of armaments, gunpowder, and shot. (J. H. Ochs, October 1988)

Documents concerning correspondence between Cancio and viceroy concerning plans and campaigns against rebels in Cerro Prieto with detailed accounts. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

Letter from Cancio to viceroy relating attacks by unified groups against presidios and settlements in which Indians killed three Spaniards, kidnapped two children. Cancio describes futility of following trail to rescue children twenty four hours later. Due to lack of military personnel, distances from presidios to settlements or towns, he implies that rather than military reduccion, matter should be handled by peaceful means. Relates preparation of troops to unite with military personnel from other presidios to attack Cerro Prieto. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

Concerns recent Indian raids and appearance of a Spanish youth (age 16) who has escaped from Apaches; Perez describes his life during two and a half year captivity that he has suffered; he notes many details about Apache daily life; including; bison and deer hunting; use of skin clothing and lack of corn. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns testimony given at Mapimi by Thomas Funidad, who escaped after being a prisoner of Indians. Includes notes on various aspects of daily life and movement of his renegade captors including; their raid on San Salvador; number of their warriors; leadership; settlement pattern; ethnic composition of band; age of members of renegade groups; plants grown; taking of horse and other hides; bison hunting; horse and Mule herds kept; use of saddles and armas Blancas y de fuego; worship of an image of our lady of sorrows; clothing; houses (Jacales of horse hide); trade with plains Indians; treatment of captives; timing of attacks; drinking of pulque; document which provides exceptional details on these topics. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns military problems caused by a force of rebels made up of Apostate Indians and renegades menacing Valle de San Bartholome; includes many interesting details on rebels use of spies; size and organization of their forces (more than 1700 men); ethnic composition and origins of members of their group; their leader (Calaxtrin);their tactics and strategy; their capture and conversion of other Tarahumar Indians, including women; their arms and equipment; importance of criminals in the group; their use of Peyote to persuade captives to join rebellion; rebel bases in mountains; their use of captured livestock for meat; their commerce with barbarian Indians for arrows and hides; use of auxiliaries against rebels; population losses resulting from rebel raids; an exploration of rebels home in San Francisco mountains by balenzeula; recent presidio transfers and resulting strategic situation; recognition that rebel Tarahumaras are a serious threat to province; and viceroy's insistence on importance of new presidio line. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Informe about ambush by Apaches of Pueblo of Acoma. Sargento Iribarri follows and captures Navajos with families in Sierra Acoma. Navajos claim they are peaceful and sent to Pueblo de Laguna for better control of group. Diaz Hurtado describes battle in Xemes and extraordinary valor of two defenders. General report from governor about rebellion and rescue of women kept as slaves by Navajos; policy about Navajos issued. (A. Dell'acqua, June 1987)

Concerns recent Apache depredations and measures taken under Ugarte in retaliation; includes notes on an attack undertaken as a consequence of information provided by an ex-captive (See ff. 268-272 this volume), that failed to encounter enemy;also notes on recent Apache raids on Rio Grande missions; Bucareli acknowledges receipt of information that he passes on to Croix (J. Williams, February 1987)