Customer Reviews

Little Lion Of Southwest: A Life Of Manuel Antonio Chaves

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Marc Simmons has done a wonderful job documenting the Southwest through many of his writings. In "The Little Lion of the Soutwest" he brings to life Manuel Antonio (Duran y) Chaves. Manuel lived through a drastically changing political environment of what he considered his homeland since when the Duran y Chaveses first found their way into what is now the American Southwest in the early 1600s. Simmons documents Manuel's childhood, military service, and livelihood through his son, Amado's collection, and other historical documentation. Mr. Simmons puts a face on some of the personalities that helped shape (what is now) New Mexico during the 1800s.

These are the tales of which my family grew up on. This story reminiscents to how well our great+ grandfathers lived compared to what resulted when many hispanic families were pushed off their lands. As a child, I remember hearing tales about the dealings with the Native Americans, having huge herds of cattle and sheep, and that there were a few in the family who fought in the old wars. During that time, I chalked these up as family "fish tales". In reading "The Little Lion", some of these myths come to life. Mr. Simmons helps in piecing together a history of what one great man of the Chavez family went through. For this I am grateful to read about because my fifth great grandfather was one of Manuel Antonio's uncles. Mr. Simmons writing's on Manuel Antonio Chavez makes many proud of the honor of being part of this "Distinctive American Clan".

This book is one I will always cherish, knowing someone took the time in giving a voice to a few lives of the Southwest. This is the stuff that should be taught in American History.

Manuel Antonio Chaves, New Mexican pioneer, Indian fighter, soldier, and rancher, made quite a reputation for himself during his lifetime (1818-1889). Born at Cebolleta, northwest of Albuquerque, Chaves first gained prominence as a foe of his corrupt uncle, the Governor of New Mexico, Manuel Armijo. He participated in the Mexican War and distinguished himself at the Battle of Taos Pueblo. In 1855 he was a captain of New Mexican volunteers in the Ute-Jicarilla War and rode against the Apaches on the Gila River in 1857. In the Civil War, he guided troops at Glorieta Pass, helping assure a Union victory. After the war he settled down to a rancher's life near San Mateo where he died in 1889.

Even though Chaves participated in a number of important events in the development of the Southwest, he was not a major figure in terms of the historical record. Not much has been written about him, and Simmons had quite a task before him to present an adequate picture of the man. He's done an admirable job, however, and the book is an interesting and informative account of El Leoncito.