organization of the territories of Texas, Oregon,
California, Arizona, and New Mexico. With the
huge growth in its responsibilities, the BIA will
focus on controlling Indians by “civilizing” them,
through the adoption of white ways and con-
taining them on reservations, thereby allowing
more of their homelands to be opened to white
settlement.
August
The Quechan attack ferryman at Yuma
Crossing.
After the discovery of gold in California (see entry
for JANUARY 24, 1848), the Quechan developed a
business of helping westward-bound whites cross
the Colorado River below its confluence with the
Gila, an area known as Yuma Crossing. The trav-
elers load their supplies and livestock onto rafts
that Quechan swimmers pull across the river in
exchange for clothing, blankets, and other goods.
When members of the Duval party attempt to carry
their own possessions by wagon, the Quechan at-
tack them, killing several and stealing their animals,
baggage, and food.
The incident convinces the U.S. Army to build
a fort at Yuma Crossing the following year to ensure
safe passage for whites. The troops mark the first
permanent non-Indian presence in the land of the
Quechan since they revolted against Spanish settlers
70 years earlier (see entry for JULY 1781). (See also
SEPTEMBER 29, 1852.)
August 31
American soldiers murder Navajo (Dineh)
leader Narbona.
A group of Navajo (Dineh) led by Narbona meet
with Colonel John Washington and his men in the
Chuska Mountains of New Mexico. As the meeting
ends, a Mexican traveling with the Americans claims
that one of the Navajo’s horses has been stolen from
him. Washington demands that the Navajo return
the horse, but they refuse and turn to leave. The
soldiers then open fire on the Indian party, killing
Narbona and six other Navajo men. The murder
of Narbona outrages the Navajo and deepens their
growing mistrust of the U.S. Army.1850Mexican soldiers attack an Apache camp
at Janos.
Angered by repeated Apache raids on Mexican set-
tlements, 400 Mexican troops led by José Carrasco
attack a group of Apache camping near Janos, a
town in Chihuahua. When the Mexicans set on
the camp, nearly all of the Apache men are away
on a trading expedition. The troops kill 19 women
and children, taking captive 62 more to be sold as
slaves. Among the slain are the mother, wife, and
three small children of Geronimo, an influential
young warrior. Later one of the Apaches’ greatest
military leaders, Geronimo will spend his life trying
to exact revenge against Mexicans for the murder of
his family.The Mariposa Indian War breaks out.
The Miwok and Yokuts of California’s San Joaquin
Valley rise up against miners flooding into their lands.
Led by Chief Tenaya, warriors attack prospectors and
destroy trading posts operated by James D. Savage.
To subdue the Indians, Savage organizes the Mari-
posa Battalion, a force of state militia. The battalion
fights minor clashes with the Indians throughout the
next year before the Indian rebellion dies down.The U.S. Army attacks a Pomo Indian
encampment.
A group of Pomo in northern California kill two
white ranchers—Andrew Kelsey and Charles
Stone—who have been abusing them. Through
whippings, Kelsey and Stone forced the Indians to
dig for gold. The ranchers then used the gold to buy
a herd of cattle that in turn drove off the native ani-
mals the Pomo depended on for their survival.
To avenge the murders, a force of regular army
troops and civilian volunteers attack a Pomo camp
on Clear Lake. There, they kill approximately 60