Battle of Canyon de Chelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Canyon de Chelly |
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| Part of the Navajo Wars, American Indian Wars | |||||||
 Canyon de Chelly |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
Navajo | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Kit Carson |
Barboncito Manuelito |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 389 | ~1,000-8,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | 23 killed 5 wounded 234 captured |
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The Battle of Canyon de Chelly happened in 1864. It was a big part of the Navajo Wars. This battle was a victory for the U.S. Army. It led to a sad event called the Long Walk. This battle was the last major fight between the Navajo people and the Americans. It ended when the main Navajo settlements in Canyon de Chelly fell. This area is now in northern Arizona.
Why the Battle Happened
By the time of the American Civil War, the Navajo were the largest Native American group in the Southwest. They were also one of the biggest groups still living freely in the United States.
Colonel Christopher H. "Kit" Carson was leading a campaign against the Navajo. His plan was to destroy their homes, food, and supplies. This was called a "scorched earth" policy. Carson wanted to capture the Navajo, not kill them. But by November 1863, only about 200 Navajo had gone to the reservation at Bosque Redondo.
General James H. Carleton then ordered Carson to go into the Navajo stronghold. This stronghold was in Canyon de Chelly. Another officer, Colonel Dixon S. Miles, had explored the canyon in 1858. He had warned that no army should ever go back into it.
The Navajo in Canyon de Chelly were led by Manuelito, Barboncito, and his brother Delgado. Before Carson's soldiers arrived, these Navajo groups had already been attacked by Ute warriors. The raids by the Utes and soldiers had made life very hard for some Navajo. Delgado's followers decided they could not survive the winter. So, they surrendered at Fort Defiance. But Barboncito promised he would never give up fighting the army.
The Battle Begins
When Carson was ready to move into Canyon de Chelly, Barboncito's men stole all the army mules. Carson's soldiers had to go back to Fort Defiance. This delayed their attack. By January 6, Carson had new supplies and was ready to move. He went to Canyon de Chelly even though there was heavy snow.
Carson had 389 soldiers from the 1st New Mexico Cavalry. He split his group into two. He sent Captain Albert H. Pfeiffer with 100 men to the east end of the canyon. Carson led the other 289 men to the west end.
Carson traveled through the whole canyon. He had small fights and destroyed every empty Navajo camp he found. He reached the other end without finding the main Navajo group or Captain Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer had missed the canyon entrance in the snowstorm. Instead, he was going through a northern part called Canyon del Muerto. Carson went back to the west entrance and waited for Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer arrived after being bothered by Navajo along the cliffs. But like Carson, he had only fought in small skirmishes. The army then set up camp near Chinle, Arizona.
Barboncito and Manuelito had both sworn not to surrender. They led their followers to a rocky hill known as Fortress Rock. This was where the two canyons met. Here, the Navajo had stored food. They were able to hold out against the army's attacks into the canyon. However, this isolated spot meant the Navajo did not have many things they needed for the coming winter. Many decided to give themselves up. Meanwhile, Carson sent Captain Asa B. Carey through the canyon one last time. After that, the whole army went back to Fort Canby.
What Happened Next
The battle itself was not a huge, dramatic fight. But the whole operation was a big success for the United States. Destroying the Navajo camps, crops, and supplies happened at a very difficult time for the Navajo people. They were cold, hungry, and tired. Many realized they would not be killed or captured if they surrendered peacefully. Delgado tried to convince others to surrender. He reminded them about the food, blankets, and safety at the army forts. Manuelito was one of the few who never surrendered. He fled into Hopi lands.
By the summer of 1864, Carson had accepted the largest surrender of Native Americans in history. Nearly 8,000 people had surrendered. They were soon moved to the Bosque Redondo reservation. This difficult journey became known as the Long Walk of the Navajo.
In 1868, after four years away from their homes, the Navajo were allowed to return to their homeland. Today, the battle site is managed by the National Park Service. It is called the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The Visitor Center is three miles from Route 191 in Chinle, Arizona.
