Manuelito
Encyclopedia
Manuelito was one of the principal war chiefs of the Navajo people
before, during and after the Long Walk
Period. His name means Little Manuel in Spanish. He was born to the Clan, near the Bear's Ears in southeastern Utah
about 1818. As any Navajo, he was known by different names depending upon context. He was (Holy Boy), (Son-in-Law of Late Texan), ("Black Weeds") and as (War Chief, "Warrior Grabbed Enemy") to other Diné, and non-Navajo nicknamed him "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 relocated 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.
Upon his return, he again lived east of Tohatchi. He became principal chief after Barboncito
of the eastern Navajos.
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
before, during and after the Long Walk
Long Walk of the Navajo
The Long Walk of the Navajo, also called the Long Walk to Bosque Redondo , refers to the 1864 deportation of the Navajo people by the U.S. Government. Navajos were forced to walk at gunpoint from their reservation in what is now Arizona to eastern New Mexico. The trip lasted about 18 days...
Period. His name means Little Manuel in Spanish. He was born to the Clan, near the Bear's Ears in southeastern Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
about 1818. As any Navajo, he was known by different names depending upon context. He was (Holy Boy), (Son-in-Law of Late Texan), ("Black Weeds") and as (War Chief, "Warrior Grabbed Enemy") to other Diné, and non-Navajo nicknamed him "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 relocated 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.
Pre-Long Walk
- 1835 Battle of Washington Pass, Manuelito took part in NarbonaNarbonaNarbona was a Navajo chief who participated in the Navajo Wars. He was killed in a confrontation with U.S. soldiers on August 30th, 1849....
's victorious party. - 1846 One of the signatories of the 22 November 1846 Lava Springs Treaty..
- 1849 Present when Col. Washington met with his father-in-law Chief NarbonaNarbonaNarbona was a Navajo chief who participated in the Navajo Wars. He was killed in a confrontation with U.S. soldiers on August 30th, 1849....
in the Chuska MountainsChuska mountainsThe Chuska Mountains are an elongate range on the Colorado Plateau and within the Navajo Nation. The range is about 80 by 15 km , and it trends north-northwest and is crossed by the state line between Arizona and New Mexico. The highlands are a dissected plateau, with an average elevation of...
and Narbona was killed. - 1853 He and Chief Aguila Negra visited Lt Ransom detachment at the mouth of Chaco River, where Chief Archuleta joined them and created a disturbance.
- July, Chief Sarcillos Largos retires and Manuelito was elected to speak for the Navajos. This was at the time when a proposed treaty to separate Navajo and Mexican/American grazing lands.
- 1855, July Zarcillos Largos and Manuelito signed The Meriwether Treaty on July 18, 1855 at Laguna Negra with Americans. Manuelito was recognized as 'official chief' and receives a peace medal.
- 1856 Major Kendrick at Ft. Defiance spoke to Manuelito about stock stolen by some Navajo (one of many times Manuelito filled this role).
- 1857 He objects to army pastures around Ft. Defiance, but relents.
- 1858 Manuelito told Major Brooks, commander Ft. Defiance that Navajo's need the pastures (Ewell's Hay Camp) around the Fort for their livestock. Manuelito's band moved their stock closer and a skirmish happened and Manuelito lost over 100 cattle and other livestock.
- 1858 Major Brooks servant molested a Navajo woman and as custom dictated, Navajos killed the offender. After a brief campaign both sides signed a treaty.
- 1860
- July, 50 Mexican/Americans from Cubero, NM raid summer camps. Manuelito and Sarcillos Largos set a successful ambush at Whiskey Lake in the Chuska Mountains. 40 of the raiders died.
- December 400 volunteer citizens mount a campaign against the Navajos
- 1861 Major Canby, Commander at Ft Wingate submitted a list with Navajo chiefs and Manuelito was listed as 5th.
- 1864, Start of Long Walk period. His band are still in Dinetah, perhaps southwest of the Little Colorado River.
- 1865 Jesus Arviso, Navajo interpreter was sent by Major Eaton of Ft. Wingate to tell Manuelito to come in.
- Later Herrero Grande, Fecundo were sent from Ft. Sumner to Zuni to tell him to come in.
- Utes had attacked Manuelito's camp .
- 1866
- July. Zunis and Utes attack Manuelito's band south of Sierra Escudilla (near Springerville AZ).
- September. Manuelito and his band come to Ft. Wingate and go to Bosque Redondo. Ganado Mucho and his band went to the Bosque from Escudilla another way.
- 1867, September Manuelito leaves to raid Utes, after Comanches and then Utes raid Navajos at Bosque Redondo. He and his band returned.
- 1868 He is one of the signers of the Treaty of Bosque Redondo which ended the Long Walk.
Post Long Walk
Manuelito, as he was known to the white man, was Ashkii Diyinii, Holy Boy, to his own people, later to earn the name , or Sir Black Reeds, named for 'the place among the black reeds'.Upon his return, he again lived east of Tohatchi. He became principal chief after Barboncito
Barboncito
Barboncito was a famous Navajo political and spiritual leader. His name means poorly groomed child in Spanish. He also was known as , , , and...
of the eastern Navajos.
- 1872 Manuelito was appointed as head of the new Navajo police force.
- 1876 Talked to President GrantUlysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
regarding land problems involving encroachment and potential leases of treaty given lands. - 1879 Crops failed and Navajos raided citizens and Zunis. Manuelito and Gando Mucho arrested 40 men as thieves or witches.
- 1880 Meets President HayesRutherford B. HayesRutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
in Santa Fe. Also suggests that he be made "Chief of Scouts" to control whiskey traffic in eastern part of reservation. - 1882 Navajos and white settlers argue over land that Manuelito says is theirs. He sends his two sons to Carlisle Indian Industrial SchoolCarlisle Indian Industrial SchoolCarlisle Indian Industrial School was an Indian boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1879 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania by Captain Richard Henry Pratt, the school was the first off-reservation boarding school, and it became a model for Indian boarding schools in other locations...
. He requests pipes for water and receives a permit to hunt off the reservation with 20 men. - 1883 Manuelito's two sons fall sick at Carlisle Indian Industrial SchoolCarlisle Indian Industrial SchoolCarlisle Indian Industrial School was an Indian boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1879 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania by Captain Richard Henry Pratt, the school was the first off-reservation boarding school, and it became a model for Indian boarding schools in other locations...
. One son dies at the school, the other returns home, dying soon after his return. Agent reports 4,000 Navajo follow Manuelito in eastern reservation area. - 1886 Manuelito and Mariano were sent out to recruit Navajo Scouts for the Army.
- 1891 Army pays call upon him and Tom Torlino, gives advice about improving flow of springs.
- 1892 Is called to Ft. Wingate to discuss certain renegade Navajos were raiding stock belonging to non-Navajos.
- 1893 Manuelito died from measles complicated by pneumonia
External links
- Bosque Redondo/Fort Sumner
- Oral history of Manuelito compiled by Harrison Lapahie Jr.
- Famous Indian Chiefs I Have Known by General O. O. Howard circa 1908