Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-17
POST TO CELEBRATE
Kit Carson Branch of G. A. R.
Nears Anniversary.
EVENT OF DOUBLE INTEREST
Due to Admission Of Arizona and
New Mexico.
WORK OF SCOUT RETOLD
Largely Responsible for Saving
Great Southwest to the
Union.

Inc anniversary OF the establishment
of Kit Carson Post, q. A R., Of Washing
ton. occurs March q. and the post plans
to make it celebration Of unusual inter-
est, owing to the admission Of the new
states Of Arizona and New Mexico.
More than any other man, Kit Carson,
who was a member of the post and for
whom the post was named, is entitled to
the credit OF saving that great territory
to the Union. The plans for establishing
and extending the Southern Confederacy
were far-reaching, and it was contem-
plated to extend 1t across the continent
to the Pacific, so that in the near future
Mexico and the Central American states
could be annexed, as we'll as Cuba and
other islands in the Caribbean sea.
Preparations for this had been conceived
and carried on quietly for many years
Jefferson Davis. as Secretary Of War, and
senator, had planned to make San Diego,
Cal. the Pacific port Of the projected
Confederacy. Army engineers were sent
thither to make thorough surveys of the
Davis labored for years to have rail-
road built from point on the western
border Of Arkansas, opposite Vicksburg,
to San Diego.
Plans in Southwest.
All OF the malls were sent by this
southern route, and also the supplies for
the troops In garrisons on the Pacific
coast and the intermediate country. The
appointments of Indian agents and terri
torial officers were made of men selected
for their we'll known sympathy with the
plans Of the southern Confederacy.
1t was expected that the Indian agents
and the territorial officers would control
hn md ryiyY "a
troops much assistance in holding the
country. The Navajos, who were then
the largest body of Indians and the near
est civilized. were won over completely to
the Confederate cause.
One of the first movments in the war
was an expedition under Gen. Sibley, an
accomplished officer to gain complete
possession of the country and make 1t
part of the Confederacy. AT that time
the only man of prominence not in the
scheme was christopher Carson OF Taos,
N. NJ. Mr.. Carson was a man of the
highest influence and the greatest repu-
tation as guide, scout and Indian
fighter in all the great southwest He
with the Indians.
When Fort Sumter was fired upon Car
son promptly sided with the Union and
raised a regiment of New Mexicans. with
which he rendered conspicuous service.
His was part Of the command of few
regulars and many volunteers Of Mexi-
cans and Indians which met Gen. Sibiey
at Val Verde, Fort Union and other
points in New Mexico. and, though de-
feated in some of the engagements. finally
drove the Texans back with a loss that
demoralized them and ended their ag-
greSSiOnS.
Deciding Battle.
Next the Navajo Indians, melted by the
Confederate agents, gave a great deal of
trouble to the Union. They were leagued
with the Comanches Arapahoes and
Cheyennes. Carson attacked a large ar
ray OF them at the Stone Wall near the
Red river. but was badly defeated. with
heavy losses on both sides. Carson and
his men fought with great gallantry
against superior numbers, but were in
the end compelled to retreat. Carson soon
had his revenge, however, for he was
given a force Of 1900 picked men, Cali
fornians, Mexicans and mountaineers
with which he moved against the Indians,
and at Canyon de Shelly, after skillful ma
neuvers, forced the enemy into gorge
and compelled the surrender Of several
thousand It was the largest capture of
Indians ever made, and was followed up
so vigorously that the entire Navajo ma
ton was brought into subsection.
The government brevetted Carson,
brigadier general, to date from the event.
The victory ended the war In that sec
ton and fixed Arizona and New Mexico
permanently in the Union. Carson was
retained in the service long after the
war, and then was made peace COM
missioner to the Sioux, with whom he
treated with great success. Upon Kit
Carson's recommendations the policy of
the government toward the Indians was
changed and far better results obtained
than had been under the old order of
things. Carson actively co-operated with
Bishop Whipple Of the Episcopal Church
In a policy to alleviate the Indian situa-
ton. On his return from his mission to
the Sioux in 1858. his horse fell over
precipice, seriously injuring him. and
about the same time his wife died. The
shock was too great, and he died May %,
1858.
iKt Carson was Jealous Freemason.
His body was brought back to Taos,
N. NJ, where he was laid to rest beside
his two Indian wives, His first wife died
when his only daughter was born. The
girl was educated at the Convent OF the
Sacred Heart in st. Louis.