1 Chief Hastiin Ch'ilhaajinii Manuelito 2 This is a biographical work based on historical documents with edits, notes and additional images by Larry W Jones Copyright 2022 © by Larry W Jones This book is dedicated to Ron Grayson Draper of the Navajo “Dibe lizhini” or Deshchinii “Black Sheep” Clan All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for quotations in a book review. First edition - 2022 Book design by Larry W Jones Published by lulu.com ISBN – 978-1-387-71559-6 3 Introduction: Manuelito is the diminutive form of the name Manuel, “Little Immanuel”. Chief Manuelito or Hastiin Chʼil Haajiní ("Sir Black Reeds", "Man of the Black Plants Place") (1818–1893) was one of the principal headmen of the Diné people before, during and after the Long Walk Period. He was born to the Bit'ahnii or ″Folded Arms People Clan″, near the Bears Ears in southeastern Utah about 1818. Bears Ears - Utah As many Navajo, he was known by different names depending upon context. He was Ashkii Diyinii ("Holy Boy"), Dahaana Baadaané ("Son-in-Law of Late Texan"), Hastiin Ch'ilhaajinii ("Man of the Black Plants Place") and as Nabááh Jiłtʼaa (War Chief, "Warrior Grabbed Enemy") to other Diné, and non-Navajo nicknamed him "Bullet" or "Bullet Hole". Manuelito was a prominent Navajo leader who rallied his nation against the oppression of the United States military. For several years he led a group of warriors in resisting federal efforts to forcibly remove the Navajo people to Bosque Redondo, New Mexico via the Long Walk in 1864. After being relo- cated to Bosque Redondo, Manuelito was among the leaders who signed the 1868 treaty, ending a period of imprisonment in United States government internment camps and establishing a reservation for the Navajo. Manuelito was also an advocate for western education for Navajo children, with his fa- mous quote, “… My grandchildren, education is a ladder. Tell our people to take it." 4 Navajo Hogan Contents: Pg 5 - Early Life Pg 10 - Navajo Wars Pg 15 - Kit Carson’s Roundup Of Navajo Pg 20 - Pre-Long Walk Pg 25 - The Long Walk Pg 29 - Bosque Redondo Pg 33 - Post Long Walk Pg 34 - Death Of Chief Manuelito 5 Early life: As mentioned in the Introduction, Manuelito was of the the Bit'ahnii Clan near Bears Ears, Utah where he was born and raised. He married Juanita, a daughter of Narbona (1766–1849) after joining Narbona's Band, and went to live at their camp near the Chuska Mountains. Narbona's reputation as a wealthy and powerful headman impressed Manuelito. He especially admired Narbona's fearless attitude, although Narbona tried to teach him the value of peace as well as war. (Note) The Navajo are made up of 21 Clans. The Bit’ahnii is listed as “Clan Relationship Group 1”. Kinyaa'áanii/Kiyaa'áanii - The Towering House clan (Original Clan) Dzi ł t'aadi - Near the Mountain clan 'Azee'tsoh dine'é - The Big Medicine People clan Tązhii dine'é - The Turkey People clan Bit'ahnii - His Sheaves, Leaf clan, Under His Cover Halgai dine'é - People of the Valley clan (Adopted clan) Shash dine'é - The Bear People clan (Adopted clan) Naadąą' dine'é - The Corn People clan (Adopted clan) 6 Narbona or Hastiin Narbona (1766 – August 31, 1849) was one of the wealthiest Navajo of his time due to the number of sheep and horses owned by his extended family group. He was not a "chief" of all of the Navajo as the independent minded Navajo had no central authority. However, he was very influential in the tribe due to the status gained from his wealth, personal rep- utation, and age during the time he negotiated with the white men. 7 Manuelito spent his days shooting arrows and competing with other young men in countless foot races and wrestling matches, always winning. When in the winter of 1835 that 1000 Mexicans (from New Mexico) were coming to at- tack the Navajos, Manuelito fought his first in what would be many violent battles. There he earned the name Hashkeh Naabaah (″Angry Warrior″). 8 9 Navajo Wars: In the years that followed, Manuelito led one raiding party after another, joining forces with other leaders such as Ganado Mucho and Bar- boncito to attack not only the hated Mexicans, but also the Hopis in Arizona, the Puebloan peoples of New Mexico, the Utes, the Co- manches, and the Apaches. Food supplies, live- stock, and women and children were all fair game. Barboncito Ganado Mucho The term Navajo Wars covers at least three distinct periods of conflict in the American West: the Navajo against the Spanish (late 16th century through 1821); the Navajo against the Mexican government (1821 through 1848); and 10 the Navajo against the United States (after the 1847–48 Mexican–American War). These conflicts ranged from small-scale raiding to large expeditions mounted by governments into territory controlled by the Navajo. The Navajo Wars also encompass the widespread raiding that took place throughout the period; the Navajo raided other tribes and nearby settlements, who in return raided into Navajo territory, creating a cycle of raiding that per- petuated the conflict. Spanish Period - Facundo Melgares, the last Spanish governor of New Mexico before independence in 1821, conducted two unsuccessful expeditions against the Navajo, who were attacking the New Mexican settlers. In October 1821 he sued for peace. Mexican Period - Melgares's successor, Governor José Antonio Vizcarra met Navajo leaders at Paguate on 12 February 1823. His terms essentially stated that the Mexicans would settle the Navajo in pueblos and energetically convert them to the Catholic religion. The Navajo were not interested in ei- ther of these proposals. They rejected the treaty and renewed the fight. Six New Mexicans were killed at Socorro in April and eight more at Sabinal in May. On 18 June 1823, Vizcarra led 1,500 troops in a 74-day expedition against the Navajo of western New Mexico. His route took him through the Chuska Mountains to the Hopi mesas in what is now Arizona, then north to- wards Utah, reaching Oljeto Creek in what is now San Juan County, Utah. Thirty-three Navajo were killed, of whom eight were women, and about 30 were captured. The expedition reached Canyon de Chelly in what is now east- ern Arizona. In retaliation for Vizcarra's expedition, the Navajo raided So- corro again, and attacked Tome, Albuquerque, and reached the outskirts of Santa Fe. The 1823 raid marked the start of a long period of raids and counter raids lasting until 1848 as New Mexicans took Navajo captive to work as slaves, and as Navajo raided to recover their people and to obtain livestock. American Period - The U.S. military assumed nominal control of the southwest from Mexico by 1846. And raids continued between the Navajo and the New Mexican civilians. 1846: Bear Springs Treaty - Following an invitation from a small party of American soldiers under the command of Captain John Reid who journeyed deep into Navajo country, Narbona and other Navajo negotiated a treaty of peace with Colonel Alexander Doniphan on November 21, 1846 at Bear Springs, Ojo del Oso (later the site of Fort Wingate). The treaty was not hon- ored by young Navajo raiders who continued to steal stock from New Mexican villages and herders. Given that the Navajos could not read or write, it is un- likely that they completely understood the Treaty they had signed. It was the first of many treaties signed between the Navajo and the US Government. It was never ratified by the U.S. Senate.