Military Campaigns

Letter by Ahumada describing idea for establishment of national guard-type militia that would receive better training, arms; would do sweeps of randomly chosen areas to keep Indians (Tarahumara rebels) off-guard. F.125 has description of Indian weapons. Letters by Merino, Nava two years later concern subdelegates from various areas to be assembled; apparent

Summary of history of conflict between Spaniards and Indians and current status. Detailed description of imminent all-out campaign to destroy hostile Indian forces throughout New Spain. Description of defensive and offensive measures to be taken at all strategic points. (A. Dean, February 1989)

Few informes concerning military supplies (corn and wine). Series of documents transcribed in sequence concerning military fiscal affairs and Indian problems. Xanambres abandoned mission in Llera and fled to mountains, inspiring several other tribes to do likewise. Military attempts to recapture them led to years of Indian hostility toward villages (described in detail). (A. Dean, February 1989)

Palacio conducts investigation of Puga interviewing 12 intolerable, a coward; that he kept salaries of squad; his part in Indian strife; treatment of people and other excesses. Autos reveal Puga's having whipped women; the murder of his wife by Indians; burning of Escandon by Tanambres; Indian theft of food, horses ,and cattle; Puga's peace discussions with Indians and their reply that they wanted war and subsequent battle and massacre of over 32 Tanambres by Puga's detachment; Puga's debts to vecinos; Puga's murder of Indian; Puga's settlement in Aguayo with family and opinions of Puga as capitan. Croix, having read testimonies grants Puga position as company capitan in agreement with Palacio's suggestion. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Tribunal de Cuentas has given ornaments and sacred cups to the colonies of Sierra Gorda which must be distributed. End of the epedemic. Haven't been able to stop the rebels in Sierra de Aguayo and Taumabe. Lopez and 15 soldiers to bring Apostate Indians under control. Indian theft of animals and murder and soldiers and friendly Indian; need for punishment. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Palacio and Osorio's visit to Nuevo Santander to investigate Escandon's conduct, operations, state of colony. Discusses measures taken to protect colony from Indian horse thefts and murders. Discussion on Manuel de Escandon's merit and success in defending and populating settlement compared with that of his Father Joseph Escandon. Manuel Escandon given title conde de la Sierra Gorda due to inheritance and merit. Brief description of Joseph Escandon's service record including reducciones. Description of estate and lands of Escandon to be left to descendants and free of Media anata. Escandon's success at liberating Nuevo Santander from Chichimecs; establishment of 14 settlements, missions. Miguel Escandon accompanied Father on campaigns at age 16 as teniente; service record described. Total of 24 settlements established by Joseph Escandon with 1245 Spanish families. Manuel Escandon's detachment sent to Potrero de Campana to retrieve stolen horses and punish rebel Indians. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Summary of testimonies about Escandon's record in completing orders to pacify and reduce Indians and settle Nuevo Santander by officers and settlers and their charges against him. Funds spent, mistreatment of Indians, assassination of 5 capitans, use of Indians to work Escandon's land, build his Palace, and increase his wealth. Real cedula ordering pacification of Nuevo Santander delayed in its completion. Activities of Escandon include use of military funds, Indians reduction, founding of 14 settlements with population count of number and families and troops in each (f.8); plus 6 more settlements founded which were not in original budget of 115,000p. Complaint of not achieving increased agricultural production in spite of having fertile land, water; availability of minerals and salt. History of Escandon's earlier military record, reopening of missions. Problems resulting from drought. Espenses of military salaries and sinodos to missionaries. Annual costs in pacification process. Cost of settling 15 families from canary islands in Texas (ff.17). Organization of troops and distribution among settlements; distribution of lands. Difficulty of defending property under Indian hostilities. Complaint that Escandon's soldiers instead of gathering Indians together killed them inhumanely when they asked for peace. Murder by capitan trasieria and soldiers of slave and silversmith not punished or investigated by Escandon; Escandon named capitans and paid them salaries of 500p. (ff.33). Alvares' attempts at populating Rio Verde, movement of people, costs, problems with hostile Indians, mosquito plague (ff.56) order not to let Laredo capitan admit Apaches even though they offered peace (ff.57). Escandon prohibited commerce; payed soldiers in goods. Mining of silver without paying royal fifth (ff.63). Escandon has made few or no reducciones since 1746. List of 9 places on coast where Escandon says he has reduced total of 1,258 Indians and gives names of ethnic groups and number baptised in each location (ff.64). Service record of Escandon since he began service in Yucatan, distinguished service in Sierra Gorda as sargento mayor, teniente until 1746 (ff.68). Provides total inventory of livestock in 20 settlements. Movement of Escandon (Villa), Reynosa, and Burgos settlers to new Parajes (nuezes, Tetillas, Encinos). Molina reinstated as capitan; Barbara Resendi's complaints against Escandon (ff.83)(ff125). Charges against fray Garcia as being hipocrite receiving double salary (ff.91) description of reason for failure of mission for Cocos in San Saba due to murder of missionaries (ff.112). Apaches do not want to be reduced, only want peace and commerce with Spanish (ff.113). Even when they offer peace, Escandon gives them motives to be insolent. Murder at Rancheria of smallpox infected and other Indians by capitan went unpunished (ff.120). Massacre of Janambres on road to Horcasitas (ff 121). Paz not punished for murder of Indians (ff.122). Guevarra's murder of reduced Indians of mission of Santander unpunished. Cordova's mistreatment of Indians in Rio Frio (ff.124). Use of Indians Sihui, janambre as work force, Indian death due to hard labor (ff.125). Attempt to reduce Pames threatening to drive them to the coast. Indians paid 4p month plus rations for corn growing and also grew their own crops (ff.131). Escandon allowed people exemption from debts in order to populate settlements. Escandon's appointing as capitans convicted murder. Escandon refused to release Sanches Borriego who was involved in riot of Coahuila to Serma. Two destructions of Pizones' church in Santa Rossa and Taumave missions. Taking of Indian lands to give to Carmelita priests for 10 years. No payment of Diezmos for farmland; Diezmos payments of hollas, Mier, and Revilla. Escandon nor captain Vasques Borrego payed Diezmos for their large cattle haciendas. Gives cost of campaign against Indians of north and Apaches who attacked Taguacanas. Defense of Escandon's choice of capitans and families to populate settlement in that it is difficult to find cultivated people like those from the capital--they must come from the provinces. Description of Tanambre November 1754 destruction of mission Ruvoroso near Escandon; only 4 escaped including missionary. Complaint of Tanambres robbing, Murdering. Escandon captured tamambre rebles and sent them to Querataro prison. Tamambres and Tonases sent to Querataro as labors, servants and for convents. Marcos Molino's case in which he worked for Hidalgo for 15 years without payment. (ff.163) use of hard labor as punishment as well as death sentence. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Concerns appointment of Castro as governor of Provincias Internas de oriente. Castro petitions permit to travel and take care of personal business. Index of letters about civil and military administration, indexes contain brief descriptions of duties carried out in Provincias Internas de oriente, I.e. licences, campaigns, appointments, Indian affairs, military supplies, horse stealing, travels etc. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Concerns seies of letters of reorganization of troops and providencias declared to the governor. Urrutia is said to be illiterate and too old for his responsibilities so he should be granted cedula of invalid. Letter reporting casualties in war against Indians. Report on military actions against Lipanes. Cueva petitions for rank of lieutenant Colonel. Status of Invalidos given to soldiers. Indians stole gunpowder from Laredo and Galvan is held responsible. He is jailed but released when proven innocent. Muniz gets refund for sale of cattle. Testimony for santo oficio is expected from Alange. Tax exemption to miners who build missions is mentioned. Puga and Mugier are escorted to the capital. Notice of pardon to those guilty of contraband.

Series of letter and certifications of good conduct of chaplain who has been with military campaigns, recommendations are given his discipline and performance of duties. Retirement is requested for military chaplain. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)