Military Organization And Administration

De Ojeda writes to Fernando de Chaves about the loss of the military escort. He asks for advise because without this escort he is in serious trouble. (John Zilboorg) (1980)

Chaves reports of the letter that corporal Archuleta has brought. He reports that he will take care and wait. (John Zilboorg) (1980)

Fernando de Baus is writing to Vargas to tell him of the people in San Phelipe and their difficulties with the Indians. He speaks of the necessity of guards for protection. (John Zilboorg) (1980)

Fray Diego Zeinos of the mission at Pecos is petitioning Don Diego de Vargas for more care in his shipping of cargo through the region because an Indian, one of Zeinos' congregation has been killed with an arquebus by accident. He continually asks for protection when traveling to Santa Fee and asks to say mass for his Indians there as well. (John Zilboorg) (1980)

(R Davis) (1981)

The viceroy issues new instructions on administering presidios along the frontier. He also discusses the presidios, giving their location and the role that each fort was to play in protecting the frontier. (J. Grusin) (1976)

Regulations for the captains or commanders of frontier presidios. Spies, Indian auxiliaries, manpower, punishments, discipline, captives, warfare. (T. N.) (1975)

Gobernador Almazan notes shortage of arms, clothing, supplies at Espiritu Santo presidio and blames it on lack of military discipline maintained by capitan Romero and his son Diego. States that soldiers gamble away their military equipment, fail to clean their weapons. Describes outbreak of hostilities between Indians camped next to presidio and soldiers. After fight, Indians fled. About half tracked down and taken prisoner by capitan Ramon, but they escaped jacal where they were held. Capitan Ramon received wound that killed him 8 days later. Almazan notes isolation of presidio, difficulty of fortifying it because humidity makes Adobe-making difficult. Advises that presidio be moved como Dos tiros de fusil to peninsula formed by River. Mentions Apache hostilities, including theft of livestock from Espiritu Santo, Rio Grande presidios. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Apaches attack San Antonio presidial horseherd, steal 86 horses. 30 soldiers, Indian auxiliaries, plus eight soldiers from Espiritu Santo presidio equipped, sent to recover horses, leaving San Antonio area underdefended, many of remaining soldiers underequipped. 180 Head of livestock recovered, 20 Apache women, children taken prisoner. After much argument fray Gonzalez convinces capitan of presidio to send one woman prisoner to Apaches as emissary, offering prisoners in return for peace. 4, then 30 Apaches show up. Capitan refuses to negotiate for peace unless all Apache leaders present, antagonizes Apaches and almost precipitates a battle. Only fray Gonzalez' restraint and trust Apache prisoners had in him prevents fight soldiers feel they might have lost, being poorly armed, mounted. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Letter to viceroy by fray Fernandez criticizing role of military personnel in reduction of Apaches and advancement into in northern territories. Fray Fernandez describes areas by deduction and by information gained from travelers about such northern territories. Fray Fernandez also describes danger of advancement by French to colonize a bigger territory than Nueva Espana assuring crown he would be able to conquer these territories with a handful of soldiers and missionaries if permission is given. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)