Customer Reviews

The Mescalero Apaches (Civilization of the American Indian Series)

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This is still a fine book from which to obtain historical information and background on the Mescalero Apaches, and as C.L. Sonnichsen mentioned when the book was published way back in 1958, it is mostly the only book on the Mescalero Apaches. The book is and has been for years readily available from either Amazon or the University of Oklahoma Press.

The significant problem with the book as it now stands is that it's 50-plus years old and shows an out-of-date aspect in some areas, especially the last few chapters as one enters the 20th century. This volume is #51 in THE CIVILIZATION OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN series and as with several other early volumes from that series printed in 1950s, it is in some spots dated.

Where one would go to get more acquainted with or receive more up-to-date information on the Mescalero I am not knowledable enough to say. However, I would read this book and then try a couple from the careers of either Kit Carson or General James H. Carelton, as both appear in New Mexico Territory history and the terrible Bosque Redondo years. From Professor Sonnichsen's book it becomes evident early on that few if any 'heroes' can be found in history of the Mescalero Apaches who can truly be said to have helped the Mescalero Apache avoid their continuing, miserable plight.

Their homeland east of the Pecos in the 1800's, prior to being removed to Bosque Redondo, was in the areas north of the Rio Penasco and south of the Rio Bonito, with some living as far north as the Sierra Blanca. Many others were situated in the Pajaritos Mountains and in the Sacramento Mountains, all within the areas of Fort Stanton, New Mexico and Tularosa. At times due to armed conflict, and attempting to stay alive, they fled the areas mentioned to either reside with other Apache people or the Comanche. Never with the Navajo who were jammed in with them at Bosque Redondo and with whom they never cared for at all.

As the book illustrates the Mescalero Apaches had both their peacemakers and their warriors, individuals who brought trouble to the tribe. Generally, however, they wanted peace with the surging influx of settlers and soldiers, preferring food and peace to war and death through either warfare or starvation. They are a people worth the study and C. L. Sonnichsen's book is still worth the read. If you have read anything at all of the Indian war period, you will realize the Mescalero Apaches suffered similar problems as many other Indian tribes of the northern and southern plains. The Indians and the 'White Eyes' seldom seemed to speak the same language or have much common understanding. Even today it is difficult to reach a clear understanding concerning many of these historical events and turbulent years. Further agitating this problem in this area of New Mexico, were many just plain bad men, from the Comancheros to just people working against both peace and the Mescalero.

If you, like me, enjoy either University of Oklahoma books or western history, this may be a book you will want to allow a bit of time for.

Semper Fi.