Military Campaigns

Ugalde kills 2 Mescaleros, captures 66 that were under the pretense of peace. Brings in troops from other areas. Gives complete description of soldiers and assignments during ambush. All were to meet in Zaguan. White handkerchief to be sign sent Arendano to Rancheria to capture or murder anyone there. Long description of speech he made. Capture of Indians and number of heads brought of Indians who hadn't attended. Suggests promotions for officials involved. Assisted by Gutierrez who knew language and customs because he had been kidnapped for 6 years. Ugalde expected Picax-Ande to direct campaign in search of enemy but due to scheduled Lipan buffalo slaughter, Picax-Ande will be delayed 2 months. He promises to capture or kill all Mescaleros in area. Mescalero captain sends messenger with request for peace, to which Ugalde responds that he is willing to negotiate new agreement but demands such as arms training are not sensible. Contains and residents. After hours of discussion and an expedition in area, Ugalde learns from Picax-Ande that Mescaleros did not actually expect peace and had plotted revenge that resulted in several raids that included murder and theft of horses. Ugalde demands an explanation from guifie-gurya which is given in detail. Quifie-Gusya says he will return with all who had accepted peace to be placed in location selected by Ugalde. Most arrive a week later, Yacolk-su choosing to take command of nearby Apache tribe. Ugalde sends Gutierrez to Rancheria to observe activities and informs him that Apaches are restless, well armed and surely planning to murder Ugalde. Captains in town repeatedly offer to take him to See rancherias finally with all present. He offers peace, says all must attend and sends detachment to watch Rancheria. Includes list of Indians murdered and captured by sex and tribe. Virrey approves of action and recommends his promotion to brigadier to king. (M. Dannemiller, December 1988)

Concerns plan for better defense of Provincias Internas. explains motives for plan. Promises results if troop movement is less restricted. Presents ideas to virrey concerning Indian relocation, need for increased defense and most efficient methods to capture and punish enemy. Suggests number of men to post in each area. Presents virrey with plan for major military experiment. Although unaware of conditions in other provincias, Ugalde thinks broad plan covering all areas most effective. Based on idea that Indians fleeing from one provincia's troops will run into hands of another. Includes copy of proposal sent to Ugarte, his response to plan and Series of correspondence in which both comandantes unable to meet and discuss execution of plan. Virrey admonishes both for delaying meeting, campaigns and punishment of Indians in area. Virrey cannot comment on plan until he receives oficios of both after meeting. Virrey has received word that Mescalero capitan has requested peace. (M. Dannemiller, December 1988)

Concerns developments and difficulties with campaign ordered by virrey. Campaign to discover entry points through which enemies reach and terrorize Spanish haciendas. Placing troops at these areas will provide better defense. Vaamonde relates Zacatecas and local bishop is ill. Mentions tithes to be transferred to Potosi as per resolution of 1779. Virrey says these are not legitimate reasons for delay. Includes letter by Rivera describing hostilities, theft in Labradores. Rivera verifies Indian entry points and asks Vaamonde to require Medina to maintain a small patrol. Virrey says informe regarding campaign should be directed to Ugarte. Vaamonde begins campaign but is taken ill due to Weather. Includes letters verifing illness. Virrey sends Nava to command troops during Vaamonde's absence. (M. Dannemiller, December 1988)

Concerns Vaamonde's response to virrey's request for report on conditions, uniforms, arms, horses, finance. says report delayed due to troop's urgent departure. Includes letter by Trevino and Garcia requesting immediate assistance as proof. (M. Dannemiller, December 1988)

Letters concern Sierra Gorda's objection to virrey's and Munoz' interpretation of Galvez' instructions for granting peace to Indian nations. Relates Sierra Gorda's March to Croix with civilian soldiers in search of Lipanes. Relates number of troops, their destinations and complete list of uniforms, munitions, armaments, horses and military equipment. Records number of items taken and count of how many returned. Lists include names of soldiers as well. says when troops caught up with Indians, some fled and others presented themselves with Lipan capitan Daga to request peace agreement. Sierra Gorda hoped for opportunity to punish same Indians for certain includes lists of murders, captives, and animals and personal property stolen from Revilla, Mier, San Augustin. In letter to Munoz, Gorda points out increased damages caused by Indian raids. Presumably due to incident in Croix, Gorda says by granting peace, Spanish are protecting Indian criminals. says Galvez' law must be considered independently for each case. Peace should be granted in this case only on the condition that all horses, captives and property are returned. Munoz responds saying that Daga justified his plea saying recent hostilities due to peace broken by Spanish and hostilities against Lipanes at Rio Norte. Munoz only agreed to discuss peace if six other capitans mentioned by Daga presented themselves. Virrey supports Munoz since current policy from comandancia general says all efforts toward reductions should be made. Approved use of Indian and civilian soldiers and says Gorda should have continued expedition. (M. Dannemiller November 1988)

1786 letters concerning necessary military response to recent Indian hostilities. Sierra Gorda says he intends to punish Indians responsible for depredations. says Indians under pretense of peace continue to rob, murder and terrorize. Relates incident in which five shepherds murdered. Concerns deployment of troops to search out enemy. After long campaign hindered by rain, caught up with Apaches in Croix. Virrey responds telling Sierra Gorda to watch carefully for abuses of good faith and to use military to assure compliance with peace conditions. says they must attempt to reduce Camoteros and Tanambres. Sierra Gorda says ranches in Laredo and Revilla completely destroyed and such incidents sure to continue if precautions not taken. Suggests method to make campaigns and punishment more successful. says military organization is inefficient and suggests separation of comandancia general. Informs virrey of plans to take troops to Laredo. Virrey says he's unable to send inspector and requests relacion regarding condition of troops, uniforms, munitions, armaments and horses. Will send Gutierrez to inspect soon. Virrey disagrees with Gorda's suggestions saying the system works and reminds him to obey Ugarte's orders. Gorda informs virrey that several Indians killed in incident in Croix. As a result, Mariguanes request to stay peacefully in Llera mission. says mission in Liebana would accomodate Indians from Croix as proposed by Bucareli. Provides description of daily life in mission. Mentions grain and weekly meat rations. says these provisions not sufficient so better for those Indians to live in liberty. Virrey reminds Gorda of Galvez' instructions of 1786 and 1772 to guide his activities. says by law, funds must be obtained to maintain any group requesting peaceful hospice in mission. Gorda says difficult to follow instructions regarding proper treatment due to increased hostilities. (M. Dannemiller November 1988)

Contains three documents relating thefts and murders by Indians. Concerns incident in Laredo in which 200 Gandules attacked and stole several gallons of gunpowder from Casa Mata. Attack resulted in death of several soldiers and Carrizas. Munoz presents this reason for his inability to send troops to Coahuila because he would be forced to leave the border open to further attack. Munoz says he plans to lead troops on campaigns for defense. Gonzales also relates incidents at Ranchos, occupation of towns and thefts of horses and mules. Revilla responds acknowledging the information and agreeing with Munoz' plans for defense. (M. Dannemiller, November 1988)

Documents contain information sent to virrey, his response and acknowledgement of instructions regarding defense in Texas and Coahuila. Chimariguanes request peace. Land to be distributed to them where they may cultivate and can be easily monitored. Santiago is told of limited water supplies on land and asked to approve it. Relates details of incursions experienced in area. Concerns incident in which sheepherders foil Indians' attempt to steal horses but lose 200 sheep in process. Virrey orders troops from Coahuila and Texas to work together. Sierra Gorda says he can't spare troops because the number is already insufficient and the lack of troops in Texas has allowed losses of cattle and destruction of crops. Virrey stresses need for cooperation and restates order. Contains description of Indian raids by town. Serna presents diaries of expeditions. Serna recovers stolen property, takes several prisoners and presents Munoz with several ears which he displays on the Picota. (M. Dannemiller, November 1988)

Comandante general to assume command of western province. 4th compania volante to escort Rengel to Sonora where he will assume command from Anza. Subsequently Rengel receives virrey's permission to travel to Mexico due to deteriorating health and receive half salary Rate of a comandante inspector, later transferred to Spain. At end of September 1788 Echeagaray to lead 400 man 80 day expedition to Sierras del Rio San Francisco and Mogollon. Monthly campaigns against hostiles to continue. Discussion of funds to assemble, sustain pacified western Apaches at Bacuachi and Chiricaguis auxiliaries whose loyalty must be cultivated. Indian prisoners of war to be sent to Janos. (J. Higgins, March 1989)

Correspondence between Areche and O Conor; O Conor requests permission to exterminate Lipanes and other Indians in region; Areche recounts laws and historical documents and justifications in favor of and against actions proposed to be taken against Sonoran tribes; religion and hostility are major factors. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)