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Show 112 The Uncompahgre Ute People terpretation and declared that the Uncompahgre be moved to Utah.23 The commissioners also established an agency on the south side of the Green River. It was later officially established as the Ouray Agency. Some materials were freighted there from Salt Lake City. Other materials were taken there from the Los Pinos Agency when it was abandoned. Much of the equipment at Los Pinos was, however, auctioned off. Preparations for the removal of the Uncompahgre took several months. Along the route from the Los Pinos to the Ouray Agency, surveys were made, bridges and ferries were built, roads were improved. As the summer of 1881 wore on, the Uncompahgre resisted efforts to remove them. They claimed that they had been deceived. They claimed they had given up only their lands in the mountains and that they should remain in the valleys. The Ute Commission held several councils with the People, but they remained adamant about not moving. The Commission notified the government in August that their efforts were useless. The matter was turned over to the War Department to settle. Colonel MacKenzie was ordered to take such steps as were, in his opinion, necessary and proper. He assembled near Fort Crawford the Uncompahgre and what White River People had remained in the area. He had nine companies of cavalry and nine companies of infantry within a radius of five miles.24 There was an attempt by or/e group of People to leave the area. However, the army was alerted. From both sides of the river, cavalry charged straight across the valley. The People retreated to their camp. MacKenzie surrounded the People and gave them two hours notice to prepare to move. He emphasized that order with six pieces of field artillery positioned on the hill overlooking the Ute camp. The People still claimed they were to stay in Colorado and did not want to go. But the threat of the army convinced them to pack up their belongings and start on the long trail to their new reservation. On 27 August rations for three weeks were issued to the People. Captain James Parker observed: The next morning, shortly after sunrise, we saw a thrilling and pitiful sight. The whole Ute nation on horseback and on foot was streaming |
