Kit Carson's life and adventures : from facts narrative by himself ... and peculiar customs of all Indian tribes of the far West ... and complete history of the Modoc Indians and the Modoc War

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Chapter I. Fmis

Carson's Birthplace — His Emigration to Missouri — Early Prospects — Is an Apprentice — Stories of tlie Rocky Mountains — He Enlists to go there — Adventures on the Prairies — Broader is Wounded — Carson's Nerve put to the Test — Rude Amputation — Safe Arrival at Santa Fe — Goes to Taos and Learns the Spanish Language — Eajrly Vicissitudes — Disappointment and Attempt to return to Missouri— Wants a Woolen Shirt — Is Employed as an Interpreter, < Teamster, etc., 19

Chapter II

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, 30

Chapter III

The Return from California to New Mexico^San Fernando and the Peubio of Los Angelos — Description of these Peublos — Passports demanded at Los Angelos — Trouble with the Mexican Authorities ^ — Kit Carson sent on with the Pack Animals — One Trapper Shoots Another — The Mexicans Become Frightened — Indians come into Camp with their Weapons Concealed — Cool Reception by Kit Carson— Paying off Old Scores — Recovering Stolen Propt^rty — Arrival at Santa Fe and ^aos — Money realized soon parted with — Carson joins another Expedition — The Rivers trapped on — Four Men Killed by Blackfeet Indians — Kit Carson joins Gaunt's Party — The Parka — Winter Quarters — Crow Indian Depredations — Kit Carson and his Party in Pursuit — The Fight — Winter on the Arkansas — Another Expedition — Two Deserters — Kit Carson sent in Pursuit — The Fate of the Runaways — Adventures with Indians — Uairbxcadth Escape made by Kit Carson, 48

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

rAQU,

Kit Carson and two Companions plan a Hunt for themselves — The Great Success met with — Return to Taos — Sale of the Beaver Fur — Kit Carson joins Captain Lee and goes on a Trading Expedition— Winter Quarters — Kit Carson is sent in Pursuit of a Thief — Overtakes and is obliged to Shoot the Runawav — Property Recovered— The Return to the Camp^The Sale of Goods — Kit Carson joins Fitzpatrick and Party — ^Kit Carson organizes a Hunting Party — His Encounter with two Grizzly Bears — The Summer Rendezvous— Kit Carson joins fifty Trappers and goes to the Country of the Blackfeet Indians — Annoyances received from these Indians — Winter Quarters in 1832 — Horses Stolen — Kit Carson and eleven Men in Pursuit — A Parley — A Fight — Kit Carson severely Wounded — His great Suffering and Fortitude — His Convalescence— The Retreat — A New ilxpedition — A Braggadocio — Kit Carson Fights a Duel and Wounds his Man — Duels in the Rocky Mountains in Olden Times, 77

Chapter V

The Fall Hunt — McCoy of the Hudson's Bay Company organizes a Trapping Party which Kit Carson joins — The Hunt — Scarcity of Beaver on Humboldt River — The Party is divided — Kit Carson with a majority of the Men goes to Fort Hall — Hardships and Privations met with — Bleeding Mules and Drinking the warm Blood to keepfirom Starving — Buffalo Hunt — All their Animals Stolen in the Nigat by a Party of Blackfeet Indians — Arrival of McCoy from Fort Walla Walla — The Rendezvous — Kit Carson joins a Strong Bimd— The Small-Pox among the Blackfeet Indians — The Crow Indians on good terms with the Whites — Intense Cold — Immense Herds of Buffalo^Danger of their Goring the Horses to Death — The Spring Hunt — The Blackfeet Indian Village Overtaken — A desperate Fight with these Indians — The Rendezvous — Sir William Stuart and a favorite Missionary — Kit Carson goes on a Trading Expedition to the Navwo Indians — The Return — He accepts the post of Hunter of the Trading Post at Brown's Hole, 117

Chapter VI

Bridger and Carson trapping on the Black Hills — The Main Camp — The Rendezvous — Winter Quarters on the Yellow Stone — Carson with forty men in a Desperate Fight with the Blackfeet Indians — A Council — Sentinel Posted — One Thousand Warriors come to Punish the Trappers — The War Dance — The Courage of the Savages deserts them — Winter Quarters — The Spring Hunt — Another Fight with the JBlackfeet — Continued Annoyances — The Trappers abandon the Country — Scenery on the Columbia — The Rocky Mountains and Alps Compared — Other Trapping Expeditions — Beaver becoming Scarce — Prices of Fur Reduced — Kit Carson and the Trapyer^ give up their Vocation — The Journey to Bent's Fort — liiteheU tae Moontaineer-l-His Eccentricities, '142

CONTENTS. Xiii

CHAPTER Vn.

Kit Carson is employed as Hunter to Bent's Fort — His Career for Eight Years — Messrs. Bent and St. Vrain — The Commencement of his Acquaintance with John C. Fremont on a Steamboat — Is employed as a Guide by the Great Explorer — The Journey — Arrival at Fort Laramie — ^Indian Difficulties — The Business of the Expedition Completed — Return to Fort Laramie — Kit Carson goes to Taos and is Married — He is employed as Hunter to a Train of Wagons bound for the States — Meeting with Captain Cook and four Companies of U. S. Dragoons on Walnut Creek — Mexicans in Trouble— Kit Carson carries a Letter for Them to Santa Fe — Indians on the Route — His safe Arrival — Amijos' Advance Guard Massacred by the Texans — The one Survivor — The Retreat — Kit Carson returns to Bent's Fort — His Adventures with the Utahs and Narrow Escape from Death — The Texans Disarmed — The Express Ride Performed, 167

Chapter VIII

Kit Carson visits Fremont's Camp — Goes on the Second Exploring Expedition — The Necessary Arrangements — Trip to Salt Lake — Explorations There — Carson is dispatched to Fort Hall for Sup« plies — Their Operations at Salt Lake — The Great Island — The Journey to the Columbia River in Oregon — ^Incidents on the Route — Klamath Lake — TTie Journey to California — The Trials and Privations met with while crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains— Mr. Preoss is Lost but Finds the Party again — Arrival at Sutter's Fort in a Destitute Condition — Two of the Party become Deranged — The Route on the Return Trip — ^Mexicans come into their Camp asking Aid and Protection — ^Indian Depredations — Carson and Godey start on a Daring Adventure — The Pursuit — The Thieves Overtaken— These Two White Men attack Thirty Indians— The Victory— Horses Retaken — The Return to Camp^ One of their Companions Ealled — The Journey Continued — Arrival at Bent's Fort— The ** Fourth of July " Dinner, .... 200

Chapter IX

Kit Carson concludes to become a Farmer — He is joined in the Enterprise by a Friend — They build a Ranch on the Cimeron River — Descriptions of Mexican Customs and Country — Fremont once more at Bent's Fort — Express sent for Kit Carson to join the Expedition as Guide— The Ranch sold, and the Departure — The Third Expedition and its Explorations — Difficulties with the Mexican-Califomians — General Castro's Orders to leave the Country — Determination to Fight — Fremont goes to Lawson's Fort — Fremont and his Men encounter a Thousand Indians — The Battle and the Victory — The news that War had been declared between the United States and Mexico reaches Fremont — Lieutenant Gillespie Rescued from the Indians — Three of the Party Killed in the Night by Indians — The Savages Repulsed — The Burial of Comrades 228

XIV CONTENTS.

Chapter X

Fremont en route for California— His Men are Anxious to Punish the Klamath Indians — Kit Carson, in command of Ten Men, is sent on ahead to Reconnoitre — Ue discovers the main Village of these In> diaus — The Attack and the Victory — Beautiful Lodges — The Tro-

5 hies mostly Destroyed — Fremont saves Kit Carson's Life^The ourney resumed — The Sacramento Valley — An Indian Amhuscade— One Savage defies the Party — Kit Carson shoots him— The Klamatb Indians still on the War Path — Another Lesson given to them — A Thief is Shot — Arrival at Lawson's Trading l^ost — A period of Inactivity— A Detachment sent to capture Sonoma — Prisoners taken — Tlie Mexicans come to punish the Americans — Their Courage deserts them — The Retreat — The Pursuit — Fremont goes to Sutter's Fort and establishes a Military Post — Mon- "ierey is Taken by the American Squadron — Fremont marches there — Further Operations — The Taking of Los Angelos, ... 26 L

Chapter XI

Kit Carson is sent Overland as Bearer of Dispatches to Washington — The Preparation and the Start — The Journey — Privations and Sufferings— Moeiing with General Kearney — The General takes Carson as h'u (juiJe and Sends on his Dispatches by Fitzpatrick — The March — Amvdl at Warner's Ranch — Mexicans on the Road — Preparations tor a Battle — The Battle — Disastrous Consequences — Kit Carson and Lieutenant Beale Offer to Run the Lines of the Mexican Seutiiicls and Carry Information to San Diego of Kearney's Critical Position — The Daring Undertaking — The Sufferings they Encounteri'd — Their Arrival — Re-inforcements Sent Out — Lieutenant Bcaie is Delirious from the Privations he has Undergone — General Kearney and his Command Finally Reach and Join the other Amencaii Forces in California, 278

CHAPTER Xn.

A Command of Six Hundred Men is sent against Los Angelos — The Mexican Army Evacuates the Town— 3ta Capture — Rumors of an Attack to be Made on Fremont's Command — The Mexicans Surrender — The Winter Quarters — Kit Carson is ordered to Carry Dispatches Overland to Washington — Lieutenant Beale Accompaniea him — A Xight Attack Made by the Indians — Arrival in the United State.- — Kit Carson's Introduction to Colonel Benton and Mrs. Frcnioiit — Hospitality offered to him at Washington — Kit Carson rceei\es the Appointment of Lieutenant in the Ititle Corps of the United States Army from President Polk — He is ordered to Carry I )i patches to California — The Journey — A Brush with the Camant Indians — Arrival at Santa Fe — More Trouble with Hostilf" Ind :.-— Arrival at Loa Angelos — Dispatches Delivered — Kit Carson Assigned to do Duty with the Dragoons — Is ordered to Guari T.j'ii Pass — The Winter Spent there — ^Is Ordered again to Carry 1) -m jtches to Washington — The Journey and its Adventnxearr-ilie 11; turn to Kew Mexico, • . . 300

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XIII. Pa«s

Kit Carson at his Home-;-The Apache Indians become tlostile — An Expedition Sent Against them — It is not Successful — Another is Organized, with which Kit Carson goes as Guide — Two Indian Chiefs Captured— Other Incidents of the Trip — Colonel Bcall Attempts to force the Indians to give up Mexican Captives — Two Thousand Savages on the Arkansas River — The Visit to them — i\it Carson Emigrates and Builds a Ranch at Rayado — Description of the Valley — The Massacre of a Santa Fe Merchant — His Wife is made Prisoner — The Expedition Sent to Rescue her — The Indians Overtaken — Bad Counsel and Management — The Commanding Officer Wounded — Mrs. White's Body Found — Severe Snow Storm on the Plains — One Man Frozen to Death— ^Kit Carson Returns to Bayado— The Occupation of a Farmer Resumed — The Apaches Steal from the Settlers nearly all of their Animals — Kit Carson -with thirteen others in Pursuit — The Surprise — A Running Ficht — The Animals Recovered — A gallant Sergeant and his Fate — Kit Caraon and Goodel go on a Trading Expedition to meet California Emigrants at Fort Laramie — Humorous Adventures — The Dangers that beset the Road to New Mexico — Hair-breadth Escape— Arrival at Taos, 826

•

Chapter XIV

Kit Carson reaches Home — Himself and Neighbors Robbed by the Apaches — Major Grier goes in Pursuit of, and Recaptures the Stolen Stock — A Plot organized by White Men to Murder two Santa Fe Traders for their Money — The Disclosure — Kit Carson goes to the Rescue of the Traders — The Camp of United States Recruits — Captain Ewell with twenty Men joins Kit Carson — The Arrest of Fox — Gratitude Expressed by the Traders — Money Offered but Refused — The Prisoner taken to Taos and Incarcerated — Kit Carson receives a Magnificent Pair of Revolvers as a Present from the grateful Traders — The Return to Rayado — A Trading Expedition to the United States — The Return Journey — An Encounter with the Cheyenne Indians — A State of Suspense — The Deliverance from Danger by a Message sent by a Mexican Runner ^The arrival at Rayado, 366

Chapter XV

KJt Carson's last Trapping Expedition — He Embarks in a Speculation— His Trip to California with a large Flock of She*'p — The Methods Employed by Mexicans in driving Herds, and their Dexterity— Kit Carson goes to San Francisco — Its wonderful Growth — Maxwell joins Kit Carson at Sacramento City — The Lucky Speculation — The Return Trip to New Mexico and its Adventures — The Mormon Delegate to Congress informs Kit Carson of his Appointment as Indian Agent — Kit Carson enters upon the Duties Of nis Office — Bell's Fight with the Apaches on Red River—Kit CarsoB's Interview with the same Indians — High-handed Measures on the Part of the Apaches — Davidson's Desperate Fight witKiheoL

XVI CONTENTS.

— The Soldiers Defeated with Severe Loss — Davidson's Bravery is UDJustlv Questioned — Kit Carson's Opinion of it — The Apaches Elated by their Victory — Their Imitations of the Actions of MiUtaryMen, 39^

Chapter XVI

A fresh Campaign set on foot — Colonel Cook in Command — Kit Carson goes as^Goide — The Apaches and Utahs leagued together — The Roughness of the Country and the Privations to which the Command was exposed — ^The Indians Overhauled — A Running Fight — The Advantages gained — The Chase resumed — The Apaches resort to their old Tricks — Colonel Cook is obliged to Ketum to Abiquiu — A Utah taken Prisoner through Mistake — Kit Carson goes to Taos and has a Conference with the Chiefs of the Utah Nation — Cook's second Scout — He is caught in a furious Snow-storm and is obliged to Return to Rio Colorado^Major Brooks and Rc-inforccments come to the Rescue — Major Brooks on the Lookout, but fails to find the Indians — Carlton's Expedition — Kit Carson goes with it as Guide — The Adventures met with — Kit Carson's Prophecy comes true — The Muache Band of Utahs summoned by Kit Carson to a Grand Council — Troubles brewing among these Indians — Tha Small-Pox carries off their Head Men, 441

Chapter XVII

The Commencement of a Formidable Indian War — High-handed Measures on the Part of the Indians — ^The Governor of New Mexico raises Five Hundred Mexican Volunteers and places them under the Command of Colonel St. Vrain — Colonel Fauntleroy placed in Command of all the Forces — Kit Carson is chosen as Chief Guide — The Campaign Conunenced — The Trail Found — The Indians are met and the first Fight and its Consequences — An Excitement in Camp— The Indians again Overtaken— The Return to Fort Massachusetts— Intense Cold Weather experienced — The Second Campaign— Colonel Fauntleroy Surprises the Main Camp of the Enemy — The Scalp Dance Broken Up — Terrible Slaughter of the Indians — The Great Amount of Plunder Taken and Destroyed — Another Small Party of Indians Surprised and Routed — St. Vrain equally Fortunate in his Campaign — The Indians Sue for Peace — The Council held and Treaties signed — Kit Carson opposes the making of them — The poor Protection Indian Treaties usually afford to Settlers— Kit Carson's House at Taos and his Indian Friends — His Attachment for his Family put to the Test — Cowardice of a Mexican— Kit Carson's Friends as they looked upon him — His Influence over Indians, 47S

Chapter XVIII

Carson not allowed to Remain Idle — His Position in our late Civil War — He is Needed on an Important Field of Army Operations — His Love for the Union — His Promise to Stand by the Old Flag — Fnlffllment of the Plromise — Is Appointed Colonel of the First

CONTENTS.

^ew Mexico Volanteen — His Friendflhip with Crenenl Canbj — I/ientenant- Colonel Pfiefer — Valuable Seirice against the Camanchefl, Arrapahoes and Chejennes — Orerpowered and Defeated — Fearful Loss — A Brilliant Campaign against the Nariyoes — ^Increased Fame — The War Department sound his Praises in Flattering Terms — Brigadier Greneral of Volunteers — Detailed for Besponsible Duty — Appointed Peace Commissioner to the Sioux — A Delicate Mission — The Indian Policy of our Groremment — A Beformation Movement — A Wise and Humane FoHcy — Kt Carson's Opinion as to what Should be Done — His Wonderful Sucoen in Treating with the Savages — Beloved and Feared— The Visit of Indian Chiefs to Washington — The EfTects of CirOization — Recep- ^ns and Speeches of Buffalo Grood and Little Raven — The Indiiui Q^estion, and What Has Been Done, and What Must Be Done, to ^ure Lasting Peace — The Death of General Slit Carson, at Fort Lyon, Colorado — His Death Hastened by the Loss of his Wife — A Man of Striking Virtues — ^Kit Carson as a Free Mason — Mar sonic Signs among the Indians, 548