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Show 44 The Intruders, 155 0-1882 Colorado Ute People on one reservation. This reservation was to be located on lands occupied by the Weeminuche and Kapota, with headquarters in the San Juan Mountains. In October 1863 a major treaty council was held at Conejos with the Ute People in order to convince them to move into the San Juan Valley and take up farming. The largest group present was from the Taviwach (Tabeguache) band. Therefore, the treaty was negotiated with them. This band agreed to give up lands and mineral rights in exchange for livestock, goods, and provisions. The land they gave up â€" much of western Colorado â€" they did not even occupy. These years of the Civil War, 1861-65, were difficult ones for the Ute People. A Confederate force from Texas invaded New Mexico in the summer of 1861. In their capture of Santa Fe they seized supplies at the Indian agency and took all public funds. Throughout Ute territory, the war disrupted the Indian Service, with hardship for the People resulting. Ute People did not become involved in the fighting between the Union and Confederate armies. However, the Utes were drawn into campaigns against other Indian people. After the Union army gained control of New Mexico in 1862, the government decided to round up the Navajo and move them to eastern New Mexico. Kit Carson was put in charge of the effort, and he recruited Ute People to help him. Peace between the Utes and Navajos had broken down in the 1850s. Government efforts in 1855 and 1859 to restore that peace had failed. Ute People were, therefore, willing to help hunt down Navajos who were then imprisoned at Bosque Redondo. The next year, 1864, a campaign was conducted against the Comanche and Kiowa living in Texas. Kit Carson was again put in charge. He recruited Utes and Jicarilla Apaches to help him. Both this effort and the Navajo War are examples of the success the intruders had in setting Indian people against each other, and, thereby, preventing them from joining in a general confederation against the intruders.29 In 1865 gold, silver, and coal were discovered in western Colorado. Miners again poured onto Ute lands. They were followed by ranchers and farmers who had heard and read reports of rich Colorado lands. Conflicts continued between the intruders |
