NEW MEXICO HISTORY - THE GADSDEN PURCHASE

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Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
      Gina Heffernan - ginagale@bigfoot.com
      June 18, 2000

http://www.rootsweb/
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Statehood

	On December 30, 1853, James Gadsden, US Minister to Mexico completed the purchase of 
a strip of land across southern New Mexico and Arizona which would allow the US to build a 
railroad to California across the southern route. This purchase established the final boundary 
of the continental United States. When the US acquired New Mexico from Mexico, they also 
inherited the problems, "Indian trouble."
	The Pueblo people had been "civilized and Christianized", but the other tribes were 
far from being complacent subjects of the United States. The Navajo, Apache, Ute, and Plains 
Indians were a constant source of worry. White men had trespassed into their lands and had 
interfered in their ways of life. When the buffalo herds were depleted, the natives found a 
new way to live. They stole. Swooping down on unsuspecting homesteads and small settlements, 
the natives stole cattle, sheep, horses, and supplies, killed settlers, and took women and 
children as captives.
	Forts were established throughout New Mexico and mounted troops were sent in to keep 
the peace. The Navajo people were the most numerous and most fierce in their battle against 
the whites. In the winter of 1860-1861, Colonel E. R. S. Canby was ordered to conduct a 
campaign against the Navajo which resulted in the killing of much of their livestock. This 
campaign caused the Navajo to sue for peace. The peace lasted until the Navajo had replenished 
their stock.
	When the Civil War erupted, the Indian trouble in New Mexico became a minor problem. 
It was left up to local authorities to deal with. Commander in New Mexico, Colonel James H. 
Carleton ordered an all out war against the Navajo and Apache. His policy was one of 
unconditional surrender. Warriors were killed outright and all others were taken to Bosque 
Redondo, a confinement area near Fort Sumner.
	Colonel Christpher "Kit" Carson was sent against the Mescalero Apache and defeated 
them within a few months. By the summer of 1863, the remains of the Gila Apache were also sent 
to Bosque Redondo. Carson's next targets were the Navajo. Although he was personally against 
Carleton's Black Flag policy, Carson followed orders. He burned crops, slaughtered livestock, 
and showed the Navajo no mercy. By the start of 1864, the Navajo were close to starvation. 
Carson met them at Canyon de Chelly and defeated them without heavy losses on either side. 
This turning point sent Navajos to surrender in large numbers.
	By 1866, there were over 7000 Navajo natives and 2000 Apache being held at Bosque 
Redondo. Foul weather destroyed their crops and the people faced starvation. General Carleton 
held out for incarceration when the Superintendent of Indian Affairs opted for sending the 
natives home and the unfortunate prisoners were forced to stay another year. In may of 1868, 
orders were issued to return the people to their homes.
	For a few years, the natives were peaceful, then the government decided to move them 
to Arizona. Under the leadership of Victorio and his successor, Geronimo, the Apache people 
fought a long hard battle. It took ayear for the soldiers to defeat them again.
	New Mexico grew, buidling railroads across its rough terrain to ferry citizens of the 
United States across to California and back home again. In 1869, a bill was passed to admit 
New Mexico as the state of Lincoln, but died in the Senate. In 1875 another bill was passed, 
but again was defeated. In 1888, a bill for the State of Montezuma; and in 1910, the State of 
Acoma were both defeated. Finally, on January 6, 1912, the State of New Mexico was admitted to 
the United States of America.