The news of the Defeat of Mr. Young's Trapping Party by the
Indians reaches Taos--Young raises a Party to chastise the
Indians--Kit Carson becomes a Conspicuous Member of the
Expedition--The Indians are found on Salt River--The
Fight--Trapping Exploits--A new Country--Trials and
Vicissitudes--Sacramento Valley--California and its Roman
Catholic Missions in 1829--Another Indian Fight--Sale of
Furs--Indian Depredations--Kit Carson and Twelve Trappers
engage with the Indians in a Battle--Return to the Camp with
recovered Property.
The news of the attack and defeat of his men by the Indians, was
brought to Mr. Ewing Young at Taos by a member of the unfortunate
expedition. On learning the causes which brought this unpleasant
termination to his enterprise, Mr. Young raised a party of forty men,
consisting of Americans, Canadians and Frenchmen, and put himself at
its head. Kit Carson was received into the party, and soon became
one of its most prominent and efficient aids. Mr. Young's object was
two-fold: first, to chastise the Indians; and, second, to make all he
could out of the expedition by employing the men in their calling
as trappers. Under the Mexican laws, licenses were required from the
government to all Mexicans who set out on trapping expeditions. These
were not granted to citizens of the United States. This was not
the mere will of governmental officials; the Mexican statutory law
prohibited the granting of licenses to citizens of the United States.
This law was, however, often made a dead letter by Americans; for,
they frequently, but stealthily evaded it. In order, therefore, to
hoodwink the Mexican authorities, Mr. Young had to resort to various
expedients. His preparations were so carefully and secretly made, that
the real business he had in contemplation did not transpire, or even a
suspicion gain currency as to his intended whereabouts.
In April, 1829, the party set out, eager to bring about results equal
to their anticipations. At first, to avoid the curiosity and inquiring
disposition of the Mexicans, they traveled northward, as if their
destination was into the territory of the United States. Hints had
been sufficiently freely bestowed upon the Mexicans to lead them to
believe that such was the destination of the party. After journeying
fifty miles in this direction, and feeling themselves free from the
scrutiny of the Mexican authorities, they changed their course to the
southwest, and travelled through the country occupied by the Navajoes,
who are an interesting and dangerous race of Indians, even to the
trader of this day. On their route, the company passed through Zuni,
a Peublo town; thence they traveled to the head of Salt River, one
of the tributaries of the Rio Gila. Here they discovered the band of
Indians who had attacked and defeated the former party. As soon as the
Indians discovered the party of trappers, they became eager for the
affray. The usual preliminaries for such fights were, therefore,
quickly made on both sides. Young directed the greater part of his men
to lie in ambush, for he felt confident that the Indians did not know
his strength. The bands of savages who covered the hills round about
mistook the halt necessary to complete the ambush for cowardice and
fear on the part of the whites. At this their courage arose, to such
a degree, that they made a bold charge against, as they supposed,
the small party of white men who were visible. They were allowed to
advance well into the trap, until, by the position of the trappers
in ambush, they came under a cross fire. At the word of command, a
general volley was fired into the advance column. Fifteen warriors
fell dead, and many others were wounded. The Indians became
panic-stricken, and the trappers immediately following up their
advantage, advanced from cover. The warriors did not rally for a
second attack, but fled in every direction, leaving Young, with his
party, masters of the field. Strange as it has ever seemed, to the
inquiring mind, in those days and for many succeeding years, companies
of white men from fifty to sixty in number could wage successful war
against whole tribes of Indians, who could easily muster a thousand
fighting men. A reason often given for this is, that the trappers of
the western wilds are invariably "dead shots" with the rifle and
well versed in Indian strategy. On the other hand, the red men were,
comparatively speaking, poorly armed, and could not travel together
for any length of time in large parties, because they depended for
food chiefly upon hunting. Had there existed no other cause, the means
of obtaining provision being limited, must have compelled them to
separate. Very frequently whole tribes are reduced to depend upon
daily hunts. The bravery of the Indians is of a different stamp from
that which is exhibited by the whites, especially where the white man
is a Simon-pure western trapper. The white man on the prairie or in
the mountains, knows but too well that if attacked by Indians he
must conquer or die. It was, and is, seldom that a company out on an
expedition has any place of refuge to which it may retreat. Here is
the principal reason why the trapper is so seldom defeated. He cannot
afford to lose his life to a certainty, and consequently will not
allow a defeat.
After this fight, Young's party trapped down the Salt River to San
Francisco River, and thence on up to the head of the latter stream.
The Indians failed not to hover on their pathway, and to make nightly
attacks upon their party. Frequently they would crawl into camp and
steal a trap, or kill a mule or a horse, and do whatever other damage
they could secretly. At the head of the San Francisco River the
company was divided. It was so arranged, that one party was to proceed
to the valley of the Sacramento in California. Of this detachment
Kit Carson was a member. The other party had orders to return to New
Mexico for the purpose of procuring traps to replace those stolen.
This latter party was also commissioned to take and dispose of the
stock of beaver already on hand. The party bound for California was
eighteen in number. Of this party Mr. Young took command. Previous to
setting out, a few days were devoted to hunting. They only succeeded,
however, in killing three deer. The meat of these animals they
prepared to take with them, as they were about to journey into a
country never before explored. The skins of the three deer were
converted into tanks for carrying water. They had learned from some
friendly Indians that the country over which they had to pass _en
route_ was destitute of water. The red men told them additionally
that the valley (meaning the Sacramento) was beautiful, and that the
streams were full of beaver. All of this information the trappers
found was true. For four days they travelled over a barren country,
where not one drop of water could be found. At each night's
camping-place, small allowances of water from the tanks was
distributed by the commander to each man and animal. A guard was then
stationed over the remainder to prevent any accident from depriving
the company of this now precious article of sustenance. At the close
of the fourth day, however, they again found water. The instinct
exhibited by the pack mules on this occasion was truly remarkable.
Long before any member of the party thought that water was so near,
the mules, with unerring certainty, had smelt it, and each one,
according to his remaining strength, had hurried on to partake of it.
The result was, that when the first mule had reached the water, the
remainder were scattered along upon the trail for a great distance.
The company encamped here, and remained two days to recruit.
The journey was renewed on the third day, the route being still over a
similar kind of country, necessitating both man and beast to submit to
similar privations as to water. In four days more they came in sight
of the great Cañon of the Colorado, which failed not to awaken a
thrill of delight in every member of the party. Just before reaching
the Cañon they met a party of Mohave Indians, of whom they purchased
an old mare. She was killed and eaten by the party with great gusto.
The party remained three days on the banks of the Colorado recruiting
their strength. While remaining here, another party of Mohave Indians
visited them, from whom they procured a small quantity of corn
and beans. Leaving the Colorado they recommenced their journey and
travelled southwest. In three days they arrived at a stream which
rises in the coast range, runs northeast and is lost in the sands of
the Great Basin. About two years previous to their arrival here, three
trappers by the names of Smith, Sublett, and Jackson, with a large
party of men, had a desperate fight in this neighborhood with hostile
Indians. They, also, had learned from friendly Indians of the wonders
of the Sacramento Valley, and were _en route_ to explore it when
attacked. Four only out of their entire company escaped with their
lives. These succeeded in making their way to the nearest Mexican
settlements, which they reached in a state of complete destitution,
after many hardships. Young and his party followed the dry bed of this
river for several days before they came to any visible water. It may
be interesting to some of our readers to know that there are many of
these curious rivers in western America, which, for miles disappear
from the surface of the earth, and, probably, run through the
quicksand beneath, as they reappear again. The outline of the river
usually exists between the place of its disappearance and the place
where the water again comes to the surface of the earth. By digging
a few feet into the sand within the outline, the water is generally
obtained. It takes but a short time, however, for the hole thus made
to fill up again. On quitting this river, the party journeyed to the
westward, and, in four days, came to the Mission of San Gabriel. Here
they found one Roman Catholic priest, fifteen Mexican soldiers, and
about one thousand Indians. Belonging to this little colony were
eighty thousand head of cattle, fine fields and vineyards. Literally
the work and life of the Jewish patriarchs were here being reënacted.
"A shepherd on the mighty plain he watched his roving store."
To the half-starved followers of Mr. Young, this Mission appeared to
be a "Paradise of Earth." They remained here, however, but one day.
Having nothing else to trade, they parted with their butcher knives,
receiving for four of them one fat ox. It would all appear a fabulous
tale, were we to incorporate into this narrative a history, or even a
slight description of the immensity of the herds of horses and cattle
which once roamed over the plains and valleys of California and New
Mexico. It is but a few years since, that some wealthy Mexicans
owned herds in these parts of America which they numbered by tens of
thousands. They were, however, almost valueless for want of a market;
and, until the tide of emigration poured in, developing the resources
of the country by its demand for provisions and labor, horses and
cattle were sold for a mere trifle. In one day's march from San
Gabriel, Young and his party arrived at another Roman Catholic
Mission, called San Fernando. This establishment was on a much smaller
scale than the first. Young and his hardy followers, however, stopping
only for a few hours, pushed on for the Sacramento River, which proved
to be distant only a few days' march. Their course from San Fernando
was northeast. The last part of their journey led through a delightful
tract of country, where water, grass and game existed in abundance,
seemingly a foretaste of the success which awaited their further
advance. Selecting an eligible camping site, Young here rested his
party for some time. When they were fully recruited, the party started
for the San Joaquin, and commenced trapping down the river. What gave
the men great surprise, they discovered unmistakable signs of another
trapping party. In a short time it appeared that they were close to a
party belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, commanded by Peter Ogden.
Young's men, however, continued setting their traps on the San Joaquin
and its tributaries. The two parties were near each other for some
time, and as deer, elk, and antelope existed by thousands around them,
which it was no trouble to kill in any numbers desirable, they
fared well. On again reaching the Sacramento River, the two parties
separated. Mr. Ogden, with his party, set out for the Columbia River,
while Mr. Young's party encamped where they were, for the remainder of
the summer. As the season for trapping had passed, they employed their
time in hunting and preparing meat for future necessity.
It was here that Kit Carson soon distinguished himself as a superior
hunter, which reputation he has maintained ever since, no matter who
have been his antagonists. Not but that Kit may have had his equals;
but that it is next to an impossibility to find his superior. At all
events, the world has given Kit Carson the title of "Nestor of the
Rocky Mountains," for his reputation as a hunter alone; and as his
biographer, we take pleasure in recording the facts by which the title
has been earned and maintained. Let the reader possess himself of the
facts, as they shall appear divested of any and every picture which
fancy or partiality may accidentally cause us to paint, and even then
Kit Carson will not lose the title. On the contrary, it will become
the more indelibly stamped upon his brow.
During the sojourn of the trappers on the Sacramento, an event
occurred which exhibited the readiness with which these men responded
to calls upon them for aid in a just cause. A few of the Indians
belonging to the Mission of the San Rafael, after committing some
excesses, deserted from those to whom they had pretended friendship.
The priest having charge of the Mission sent a strong force to search
for the fugitives. They were found secreted in an Indian village,
the inhabitants of which were not on friendly terms with the priest's
party. A demand was made that the deserters should be given up, which
being refused, a fight ensued, and the priest's party was defeated.
Assistance was now asked from the trappers. The request was complied
with by Carson and eleven of his companions, who volunteered for the
occasion. Thus reinforced, the vanquished party returned and resumed
the fight, but with a far different result. The Indian village was
captured and one third of its inhabitants killed. The day following
a second demand to deliver up the deserters was complied with. Carson
and his companions then left the priest's party and rejoined their
camp. A short time after this affair had happened, Mr. Young carried
the furs he had on hand to the Mission of San Rafael, where he was
so fortunate as to find a captain of a trading schooner to whom he
succeeded in disposing of the entire stock. With the money accruing
from the sale, he purchased horses and then rejoined his company.
A circumstance occurred a few days after Mr. Young's return, which
proved to be a good warning to the party for their future vigilance.
During one dark night, some Indians, eluding the watch of the
sentinels, succeeded in entering the camp and moving off sixty horses.
As soon as the robbery was discovered, which had been the more easily
accomplished because the trappers, not apprehending danger, had
allowed the animals to take care of themselves, Mr. Young directed
Kit Carson to take twelve men with the remaining horses, fourteen in
number, and pursue the thieves. Carson, in obedience to his orders,
immediately started for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, following the
trail of the Indians. After travelling one hundred miles he came up
with the robbers, and discovered them in the act of feasting upon
horse-flesh, six of their own animals having been killed to supply the
viands. Doubtless stolen fruit made the feast all the sweeter to the
savages, but Kit determined to mingle a little of the bitter as a
condiment to the roasted flesh. Gathering his men well together, and
approaching very close to the foe without being discovered, he gave
the order to charge. His men needed no second command. They fell upon
the feasting savages like a thunderbolt, scattering them right and
left without mercy. Eight of the warriors were killed in the short
conflict which ensued. The remainder were allowed to escape. With some
difficulty they next succeeded in recovering all their horses, except
the six which had been killed. With their horses, and three children
taken prisoners, they returned to camp. It is unnecessary to add that,
to men thus isolated in the wilderness, Kit and his party were hailed
with joyful greetings when their complete success became known. To
them their horses were like the good ship to the hardy sailors on the
mighty ocean. The joyful reaction which followed such complete success
was in ratio to the fears which the continuing suspense had excited.
Kit Carson, though at that day a youth in years and experience when
compared with the other members of the party of which he was then an
associate, had risen rapidly in the estimation of all, and had excited
the admiration and enlisted in his behalf the confidence of the entire
band. When called upon to add his counsel and advice to the general
fund of knowledge offered by the trappers concerning any doubtful or
difficult enterprise, his masterly foresight and shrewdness, as well
as clearness in attending to details, alone gave him willing auditors.
But it was the retired manner and modest deportment, which he
invariably wore, that won for him the love of his associates. Such
characteristics failed not to surprise, in no ordinary degree, those
who could boast a long lifetime of experience in Indian countries.
Kit Carson's powers of quickly conceiving thoughts, on difficult
emergencies, which pointed out the safest and best plans of action,
"just the things that ought to be done," and his bravery, which, in
his youth, sometimes amounted to rashness, were the component parts of
his ability which thus caused his companions to follow his leadership.
His courage, promptitude, willingness, self-reliance, caution,
sympathy, and care for the wounded, marked him at once as the
master-mind and safest counsellor. His first trapping expedition
gained him so much credit, that from the time it was concluded, he
found no difficulty in joining any band of trappers, no matter how
select the party. In this respect the mountaineers resemble sea-faring
men, who invariably dislike new and untried hands, because such are so
apt to give more trouble than assistance. Green hands, therefore, are
treated with indifference when they apply to be admitted as members on
a contemplated hunt. The reader will here see one difficulty which
had to be overcome by Carson, and which kept him so long in want of
employment. From this time Kit carried a rifle and worked from an
experience which commanded admiration, respect, and esteem wherever
he went, and with whatever party he became connected. Like the great
Napoleon, when he joined the army for his first campaign, he was a
hero in spite of his youth among men grown grey with experience.