Cuerno Verde facts for kids
Cuerno Verde (who died on September 3, 1779) was the Spanish name for Tavibo Naritgant. He was an important leader of the Comanche people, likely from the Kotsoteka Comanche group, in the late 1700s.
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The Story of Cuerno Verde
Cuerno Verde means "Green Horn" in Spanish. This name was given to Tavibo Naritgant because of the special green-tinted horn or horns he wore on his headdress during battles. His Comanche name, Tavibo Naritgant, means "Dangerous Man."
A Leader's Legacy
Cuerno Verde's father also had the name "Cuerno Verde" and wore a similar headdress. The father was killed in a fight against the Spanish in October 1768, near a place called Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. His son, Tavibo Naritgant, then took on both the name and the famous headdress.
Raids and Conflicts
As a young man, Tavibo Naritgant led many successful raids into New Mexico during the mid-to-late 1770s. These raids were a big problem for the Spanish. The Spanish Viceroy (a high-ranking official) in New Spain noticed this threat. He asked Juan Bautista de Anza to become the governor of New Mexico. De Anza's main job was to deal with the local Native American groups, including Cuerno Verde and the Comanche.
De Anza moved to New Mexico and spent a year studying past expeditions and encounters with Cuerno Verde. In August 1779, de Anza led a large force. It included 500 to 800 Spanish soldiers and Native American allies from the Ute, Apache, and Pueblo tribes. They went on a military mission against the Comanche.
The Final Battle
The Comanche and Spanish forces fought a series of battles between August 31 and September 3, 1779. Tavibo Naritgant, his oldest son, and fifteen other Comanche warriors were killed on September 3. This happened somewhere between the modern cities of Pueblo, Colorado and Colorado City, Colorado, probably in a gully near the St. Charles River. After his death, the fighting in the area became much less frequent.
The "green horn" headdress of Cuerno Verde was taken from the battlefield. De Anza presented it to the Viceroy. It is said that the Viceroy then gave the headdress to the King of Spain, who later gave it to the Pope.
De Anza described Cuerno Verde as a "cruel scourge" in his writings. He also wrote about harsh actions attributed to Cuerno Verde. Some modern Comanche people question how accurate de Anza's statements were. They believe that Tavibo Naritgant's actions were normal for a Comanche leader during that time.
Places Named After Him
Greenhorn Mountain and the Greenhorn Valley are located in south-central Colorado. These places are named after the English translation of Cuerno Verde's Spanish name.
Images for kids
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A marker for Cuerno Verde on Colorado Highway 67.
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Greenhorn Mountain, named after Cuerno Verde.
See also
In Spanish: Cuerno Verde para niños
