Even during the holidays, those of us who write
historical romance are interested in history. Recently, I found an old copy of
WILD WEST MAGAZINE from December 1996. In it was featured an Apache about whom
I knew almost nothing, Mangas Coloradas. The name Mangas Coloradas is the translations
of his Apache nickname Kan-da-zis Tlishishen (Red Shirt) by
Mexicans and is Spanish for Red Coloured Sleeves. His other name was Dasoda-hae,
which means He Just Sits There. A Bedonkohe by birth, he married
into the Copper Mines local group of the Chihenne and became also leader of the
neighboring Mimbreño local group of the Chihenne. He is regarded by many
historians to be one of the most important Native American leaders of the 19th
century due to his fighting achievements against Mexicans and Americans.
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| Mangas Coloradas |
When I think of Apaches, I picture a shortish person of
small frame. Physically impressive, Mangas Coloradas was a giant of a man at
six inches over six feet and weighing around 250 pounds. He was extremely
intelligent, with a large head, and said to have equaled orator Daniel Webster.
Born around 1793. He was a member of the Eastern Chiricahua nation, whose
homeland stretched west from the Rio Grande to include most of what is
present-day southwestern New Mexico.
During the decades of the 1820s and 1830s, the Apaches'
main enemies were the Mexicans, who had won their independence from Spain in
1821. Mangas Coloradas was considered courageous, wise, generous, and always
sought peace. Some believe he was a legend in his own time. Mangas Coloradas
was a peaceful man until 1837 when the Mexican Government offered a $100 bounty
for each Apache Indian scalp. He became chief of the Mimbreño in 1837, after
his predecessor, Juan José Compas—together with a number of Mimbreño men,
women, and children—had been betrayed and murdered by a group of trappers for
the Mexican bounty on their scalps. Mangas Coloradas and his warriors avenged
the treachery by slaughtering trapping parties, attacking supply trains to the
region, and starving the citizens of Santa Rita, killing the remainder on their
attempted escape. For a time the area was cleared of its white and Mexican
inhabitants.
In 1846, when the United States went to war with Mexico,
the Apache Nation promised U.S. soldiers safe passage through Apache lands.
Once the U.S. occupied New Mexico in 1846, Mangas Coloradas signed a peace
treaty, respecting them as conquerors of the hated Mexican enemy. An uneasy
peace between the Apache and the United States lasted until an influx of gold
miners into New Mexico's Pinos Altos Mountains led to open conflict.
In December 1860, thirty miners launched a surprise
attack on an encampment of Bedonkohes on the west bank of the Mimbres River.
Historian Edwin R. Sweeney reported, the miners "... killed four Indians,
wounded others, and captured thirteen women and children." Shortly after
that, Mangas began raids against U.S. citizens and their property.
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| Cochise, by Edward Curtis |
Mangas Coloradas' daughter Dos-Teh-Seh married Cochise,
principal chief of the Chokonen Apache. Cochise had long resisted fighting
whites. In early February 1861, US Army Lieutenant George N. Bascom
investigating the "Indian" kidnapping of a rancher's son, apparently
without orders, lured an innocent Cochise, his family and several warriors into
a trap at Apache Pass, southeastern Arizona. Cochise managed to escape, but his
family and warriors remained in custody. Negotiations were unsuccessful and
fighting erupted.
This incident, known as the "Bascom Affair,"
ended with Cochise’s brother and five other warriors being hanged by Bascom.
Later that year, Mangas and Cochise struck an alliance, agreeing to drive all whites out of Apache territory. They were joined in their effort by Victorio
(supposed to be another of Mangas Coloradas’ sons in law), Juh and Geronimo.
Although the goal was never achieved, the White population in Apache territory
was greatly reduced for a few years during the Civil War, after federal troops
had been withdrawn to the east.
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| Victorio |
Mangas Coloradas was a skilled strategist in guerrilla
warfare. In January 1863, he decided to meet with U.S. military leaders at Fort
McLane, in southwestern New Mexico. Mangas arrived under a flag of truce to
meet with Brigadier General Joseph Rodman West, an officer of the California
militia and a future Reconstruction senator from Louisiana. In spite of the
truce, armed soldiers took Mangas into custody. West allegedly gave an
execution order to the sentries.
“ Men, that old murderer has got away from every soldier
command and has left a trail of blood for 500 miles on the old stage line. I
want him dead tomorrow morning. Do you understand? I want him dead. ”
That night, while tied on the ground, Mangas was provoked
with red hot bayonets until he moved to simulate his attempt to escape. Then he was shot "trying to escape." The following day, U.S. soldiers cut off his head, boiled
it and sent the skull to Orson Squire Fowler, a phrenologist in New York City.
Phrenological analysis of the skull and a sketch of it appear in Fowler's book.
The murder and mutilation of Mangas' body only increased the hostility between
Apaches and the United States, with more or less constant war continuing for
nearly another 25 years.
Mangas Coloradas died January 18, 1863 and is buried in
an unmarked plot in Mangas Cemetery,
Grant County, New Mexico.
Souces for post:
WILD WEST MAGAZINE, December 1996
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia Britania
Also available is the audio book BRAZOS BRIDE from Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. HIGH STAKES BRIDE will soon be available.
Books made wonderful gifts for yourself or others!
Merry Christmas to all y'all.
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