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Show TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO 285 brought about by conflicting instructions and lack of policy on the part of the general government. Colonel E. V. Sumner, 2d dragoons, assumed command of the ninth military department in July, 1851, having marched from Fort Leavenworth with a considerable force. It was under his instructions that government farms were cultivated by soldiers, an enterprise which did not meet with much success. Colonel Sumner also brought with him, in addition to large quantities of agricultural implements, numbers of fine cattle and horses. His instructions were to select new sites for military posts, to act in concert with the superintendent of Indian affairs, to inflict severe punishment upon the hostile Indians and, as far as possible, effect a reduction in the expenses of the department. In the fall after the arrival of Colonel Sumner the Apaches 2°? in the south became very hostile. Governor Calhoun advised the giving of arms to the Mexican people with which they could fight the Indians, but Colonel Sumner refused to do so. At this time the total number of soldiers in New Mexico was less than one thousand and the efforts of the several military commanders to subdue the Apaches, as described 2°° by an official in the Indian ne drunk whenever they get a chance and boast of how killed, and talk very glibly of the scalps they intend many whites they have to take. There 1s a great and deep gulf between the American and Mexican yet, and the love they bear each other has by no means waxed warm. There is hardly an American here that stirs abroad without being armed to the teeth, and under his pillow pistols a bowie knives may always be found. None go to bed without this precaution, ’? 207 It was believed that the Apaches in the south intended forming an alliance with the Indians in the northern part of New Mexico — the J icarillas — and Governor Calhoun sent representatives to the northern Indians and Utes to prevent such an amalgamation of interests — from an Indian standpoint. *8 Journal of American History, p. 550, Letter from John Greiner, March 31, 1852: dian. A They cannot catch a single In‘*Our troops are of no earthly account. dragoon mounted will weigh 225 pounds. Their horses are all as The Indians have nothing but their bows and arrows and their poor 48 carrion. Ponies are as fleet as deer. Heavy dragoons on poor horses, who know nothing of the country, sent after Indians who are at home anywhere, and who always have some hours of start, how long will it take to catch them? So far, although not a single Indian has been Several expeditions have started after them, al The southern Apaches are at war, they ru n off all the stock they care ‘Or and laugh at their pursuers. The Governor app lied to the commandant to bive the Mexicans arms to defend themselves. He complied, the other day,\by Siving an order for 100 stand, and when the arms were looked after they oo found to be unfit for use. The military disbursements made here cape Fok alive and everything was done on: the most extravagant ple un. Now nai Sumner arehas leaving stoppedhere. all this. is gettingto very Many if -a ‘Ae Americans Others Money have nothing do andscarce. they think change be made by making a ‘row’ they are ready for it. They have nothing |