Jicarilla War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jicarilla War
Part of the Apache Wars, Ute Wars, Texas-Indian Wars
Kit Carson in 1854 by William Ranney
Date 1849 - 1855 Location New Mexico Territory, Texas Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Apache Ute
Commanders and leaders
Philip St. George Cooke John Davidson Kit Carson	Lobo Blanco  † Flechas Rayada Chacon

Arrowheads recovered from the Cieneguilla battlefield.

The Jicarilla War was a conflict that took place from 1849 to 1855. It was fought in the New Mexico Territory. The main groups involved were the Jicarilla Apaches and the United States Army. Ute warriors also joined the Jicarillas as allies.

The war began when the Apaches and Utes started attacking settlers. These settlers were traveling on the Santa Fe Trail. In 1853, the U.S. Army decided to fight back. This led to many battles and military actions. The main fighting ended in 1854. A large army group helped stop most of the violence. However, some smaller fights continued into 1855.

How the War Started

The Jicarilla War began in 1849. An early event was when a group of settlers was killed by Jicarilla and Ute warriors. This incident became well-known. It made many American settlers feel angry towards the Jicarilla tribe.

A year later, in 1850, mail carriers were also killed. These events caused more and more tension. Over the next few years, other incidents happened. This made both the Americans and the Jicarillas distrust each other. The U.S. Army began military actions in late 1853 and early 1854.

Key Battles and Events

In February 1854, a report came to the Army. It said that Jicarilla warriors had stolen cattle. These cattle belonged to a government contractor. In response, a group of dragoons was sent out. They were from the 2nd Dragoons. Their job was to get the stolen cattle back.

On March 5, Lieutenant Bell met a group of warriors. Their leader was Chief Lobo Blanco. They met near the Canadian River. It was not certain if Lobo Blanco's group stole the cattle. But the Army had suspected his group of attacking settlers for a long time. A battle started. Chief Lobo Blanco and four of his warriors were killed. The Americans lost two men.

The next day, the fighting grew worse. A group of Jicarillas and Utes attacked cattle near Fort Union. They killed two herdsmen. After this, the 1st Dragoons launched an expedition. They went into the area known as Apacheria.

The first major fight happened on March 30. First Lieutenant John Davidson attacked a Jicarilla village. This village was near what is now Pilar, New Mexico. In the Battle of Cieneguilla, about 60 American cavalrymen fought. They faced around 250 Apache and Ute warriors. These warriors were led by Chief Flechas Rayadas.

The battle began around 8:00 AM. It lasted for more than three hours. By the end, 22 American soldiers were killed. Another 36 were wounded. Davidson's group had to retreat. They had caused about 20 deaths among the Native forces.

A week later, on April 8, a larger American force found the Jicarillas. This force included about 200 cavalrymen and 100 infantrymen. There were also 32 scouts. They found Chief Chacon's Jicarillas. They were in Ojo Caliente Canyon.

In the battle that followed, Commander Philip St. George Cooke led the American forces. They defeated about 150 warriors. Five warriors were killed and six were wounded. The American side had no casualties. The Jicarillas were scattered after this battle. Many of them died in the very cold weather.

This battle was also important because Kit Carson was involved. He guided the U.S. Army during this expedition. First Lieutenant George Sykes was also there. He later became a famous commander in the American Civil War. After the Ojo Caliente battle, the main part of the war was over. Only a few smaller attacks and skirmishes happened in the following months.