HIS148 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Mescalero, Fort Sumner, Navajo
Document Summary
General carlton was in charge of the united states army during the north america expansion. He had his problems with the navajo. Civil war had occurred a year earlier. There existed battles between the union and the confederacy. These fights were being fought exclusively east of the mississippi river. Many troops stationed in new mexico territory. Result of this: new mexican settlers were inadequately protected from indian raids on their livestock. The soldiers who were still there would grow edgy due to isolation from the civil war battlefront. Carlton proposed that his soldiers needed to exercise their thirst for battle on enemies who were closer to home. General proposal to fight these tribes was quickly approved by the governor of new mexico territory. Also gained support and traction from the territory"s non-indian population which felt threatened and vulnerable to indian attacks. Carlton wanted to do more than subdue the opposing indians.
