Military Campaigns

. (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Concerns publication (book ?), of administrative proceedures sent from conde de Galvez to Ugarte y Loyola regarding the governing of Provincias Internas del oriente and Occidente. Specificies the kind of events the commanders of each province muist report back. Document comprises gives a break down of the many characteristics that Spanish colonization implemented in the conquest of Indian territories. Strategies of the conquest are explained in this document, such as use of Indian controversies to facilitate their reduction. History of how the conquest began is given. Document explains trade Spaniards had with some Indian nations in order to subjugate them. Specific indications of what type of activities were allowed for Indians under Spaniard's domination is given. Characteristics of several Indian nations are provided, such as which one was friendly and/or hostile. (this document is a very important summary of almost all kind of activities the Spanish conqueror had to implement in their fight against tricks used, legislation among provinces, judicial organization, religious strategies etc. Etc.). (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Concerns Series of letters dealing with organization and distributions of authority between provincias del Occidente and oriente. Series of letters regarding orders given to commanders of provincias del oriente and Occidente. Mention of take over of Texas by insurgents from the north. Herrera appointed as commander of provincias de oriente. Notice given on the defeat of troops from provincias de oriente (list of information. These letters are saying general things about other letters. Letters deal strictly with administrative matters). (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Concerns letter signed by several military officials who were in charge of campaign to recover Texas which was captured by Bernardo Gutierrez, a rebel aided by united states bandits coming from Luisiana. Letter mentions that rebels are talking about a new republic called republica Mexicana. Indians, it is said, have taken advantage of the situation and are attacking the provinces more often. Spaniards are exhausted, afraid, and want to go home to Spain. Supplies are needed to continue campaign against rebels in Texas. (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Concerns Series of documents on political jurisdiction and organization of the Ten Provincias Internas de oriente y occidente. Comandantes for each of them are appointed. Governors of the provinces of oriente and Occidente are appointed. Garcia conde is appointed governor of Durango. Bonavia is appointed governor of provincias de Occidente. Herrera is appointed gobernador comandante of provincias de oriente. Report of the occupation of province of Texas by rebel leader Bernardo Gutierrez, who is aided by rebels from the estados Unidos del norte, governor Salcedo is killed as a result of occupation. (this document contains important information on cooperation between rebels from the two sides of the northern Mexican border, in fights against Mexican Colonial authorities). (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Extracts from Loyola's general report Mar-December 1788 including military reports from subordinates in New Mexico, N. Vizcaya, Sonora. Includes campaign diary of Romero and Echeagaray in Sonora (mar-apr). Mentions Opatas inclusion in military force. from Bavispe. Table summarizes battle statistics by region and Indian group. Campaign diary of Elquezabal jun-July 1788 near Norte. Table shows organization of force into companies, lists officers and company size. Drought forces dispersal of troops, ends campaign. Loyola documents movement of Sonoran troops in mountains Sacramento and San Francisco, relates Apache Gileno and Taraumara thefts, murders, attacks, Mule train assaults. Encloses copy Martinez' report from Chihuahua, details Spanish attacks, prisoner taking, beast confiscation from Indians. Brief mention of lesson learned from Chiricagui campaign of mentions plan to join forces with Echeagaray to make mountain campaign. Ugarte y Loyola also reports impossibility of stopping attacks, because Indians attack small defenseless parties (eg woodcutters) elaborates on Indian murders, beast killings, thefts by Apaches Mescaleros in Nueva Vizcaya, summarizes Indian damages by province, Indian group, type of depredation and number hurt. Submits report of Ortega's October 1788 campaign in Sierra Escondida against Apaches. Details tracking and persecution, Spanish custom of decapitating enemy corpses for trophy heads. Relates depredations in San Juan Baptista del Rio, reports use of companias volantes against Apaches Mescaleros. Remarks that because Ugalde's eastern campaign is tying up so many troops, western campaign is forced to make smaller forays. Ugarte y Loyola augments force at Pueblo del Gallo, mentions Taraumara hostilities in Cianori. Martinez report from Sacramento mountains outlines force organization in table, gives daily report, detailing route taken and tracking activities, names officers, tallies weight of supplies carried by each company, mentions use of Opatas in force, notes custom of turning in Indian ears as battle trophies, laments paucity of pasture and water due to drought. Includes table of wounded and sick. Medina reports Indian attacks on sheperds near Mapimi (August 1788). Latter folios concern Echeagaray's forays with presidial troops from Santa Cruz against Apaches, Gilenos, Mimbrenos, and yutaquenos. Mentions Mescal as sustenance, and use of Apache and Opata auxiliaries. Details route taken, use of women (Indian ?) As guides. Tables summarize battle statistics and list Apache inhabitants of Bacoachic. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)

Virrey (?) Comments that defensive operations are not as effective as offensive operations with respect to the goal of reduccion. Also acknowledges receipt of Rengel's campaign diary from New Mexico 1788 concerning reduccion of Apaches and use of Comanches in partidas against Apaches. Ugarte y Loyola describes company of Rengel's force as including Opatas, volunteers and infantry. Describes how Apache hostilities in past had forced Tobas to abandon their settlements. Relates hacienda owners' contributions to defense against Apache raids. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)

Ugarte y Loyola submits Romero's campaign diary to virrey. Purpose of Romero's campaign is reduccion of Apaches. Details Spanish tracking and attacking. Virrey acknowledges receipt of Romero's diary. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)

Ugarte y Loyola submits month by month report to virrey of Indian depredations and military counterattacks in Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Mexico, Sonora (jan-April 1788). Detailed, extensive report of Spanish - Indian relations & of intertribal relations. Reports general decline in number and severity of hostilities; notes that Apaches Gilenos and Taraumares are groups responsible for robberies and murders that do occur. Reports Apache murders and attacks and Taraumara equipment and food thefts. Relates how ranch Owner, upon killing an Apache in self defense, presents Head to captain. Mentions use of Opatas for tracking in presidial forces of Nueva Vizcaya. Describes Rengel's New Mexico force as composed of presidial troops, vecinos, Indians Xicarillas and Comanches. Relates Rengel's anti-Apache campaign in New Mexico, tallies Spanish murders of Indians, confiscations of property, taking of captives. Details Marrujo's massacres with 2nd compania volante. Reports joining of 2nd compania volante with presidial troops of Janos and San Buenaventura under Cordero to attack Gilenos in Sierra San Miguel. Mentions winter rain and snow as hindrance to winter campaign in mountains. Concludes with table of casualties and robberies by Indian group and province. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)

Documents include campaign diaries of Echeagaray, Cordero, and Bergara, jan-Mar 1788. Echeagaray reports offensives against Apaches and Gilenos Orientales, detailing skirmishes. Includes table of forces by location number of people per rank. Cordero reports movements of first division in Nueva Vizcaya. Detailed account of hostile relations with Ojos Colorados. Reports attacks and maneuvers in mountains and tracking activities. expresses concern for population's being exposed to danger due to war. Describes foray in which Indian woman fought with men. Lists military expenses. Bergara reports campaign in Nueva Vizcaya. Force includes Apache Chiricaguis. Lists officers involved and describes Apache practice of cutting ears off corpses to prove death. Virrey repsonds favorably, commends Echeagaray and Cordero, promises to recommend them to the king. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)