Americas 250th Birthday Cinemathon #28: Broken Arrow (1950)

 

Broken Arrow tells of the real-life friendship between Apache chief Cochise and prospector Tom Jeffords. Famously the two were actually able to end, at least for a few years, much of the warring between Americans and Apaches. To understand the context of the Apache Wars in the 1860s and 1870s, we’d have to start in 1861. A group of Apache raiders kidnapped a 12-year old boy. Lieutenant George Bascom of the US Army invited Cochise to meet him, making the common mistake of assuming that all Indians of one people answered to one leader. Cochise had no part in the kidnapping and even offered to help get the kid back, but Bascom planned to imprison him. Cochise escaped and the Apache Wars returned with a fierce intensity.

The movie generally follows the events of history, but with quite a few changes and additions. One is the look of Tom Jeffords, who like many Americans of his time sported a good amount of facial hair, but here shows up played by a clean-shaven Jimmy Stewart. Older and having been affected by his service in World War II, Stewart could no longer play the folksy and often idealistic hero, and his career looked uncertain. He found new life, however, as a western actor (I highly recommend his Anthony Mann westerns where he’s a more cynical protagonist).

But enough about an actor’s history. Stewart’s Jeffords surprises the Apache by rescuing one of their wounded youths and being reasonable. As his relationship with Cochise starts to develop, he’s able to negotiate an end to Apache attacks on the overland mail. This is based on a claim that the real Jeffords made, but historians have disputed this. Jeffords definitely, however, helped bring Apaches and US officials together for peace talks. In 1872 he accompanied one-armed General Oliver O. Howard to Cochise’s place. Howard was a firm Christian not given to lying or aggression, so Grant thought that, paired with Jeffords, he’s be a great for a peace-seeking mission. Basil Ruysdael plays Howard in this movie. He does a good job, but Howard is way too old here. The movie further leaves out the famous moment when the religious officer shouted his thanks to God and frightened the Apache (they thought he was summoning magic).

The New Mexico Campaign, 1861-1862 Part VI: The Retreat

Canby Strikes Back

Canby, still unaware of the decisive victory at Glorieta Pass, had decided to finally leave the safety of Fort Craig and go after Sibley. He had an army of 1,210 men. Though this was smaller than the Sibley Brigade, he likely expected to link up with the force at Fort Union. The rest of the men at Fort Craig stayed behind under the command of Kit Carson. Canby planned to strike at Albuquerque, but was delayed by the same weather and supply conditions that dogged the Sibley Brigade. Of course he soon learned of what had happened up north and could only have had his confidence in victory raised.[1] For his part Sibley initially planned to continue his strivings for a Confederate empire in the west, only now he would have to assume a defensive posture while waiting for more support from Texas. He took up a position on the Manzano Mountains from which he could launch a future strike. This position was oriented towards the northeast. To him Slough’s Coloradans were the biggest threat. Slough himself was not planning to move further into New Mexico. He had been shaken by his experience at Pigeon’s Ranch. Despite the destruction of the Texan supply train, Slough had been hard-pressed and almost entrapped several times in the battle. Sibley’s movement left Albuquerque and his supply depot exposed from the south. When he learned that Canby was driving north at him, he realized this new danger and rushed south to save his supplies from the Federals.[2]

Louisa Canby

One such base of supply was in Santa Fe. Louisa Canby, wife of Edward Canby, had been left there when the Texans took over. In the aftermath of Glorieta Pass she took pity on the ragged, wounded Texans and took action. She grabbed several wagons, had cots created in them, and sent them towards Glorieta Pass to recover the wounded still stuck there. One Confederate fondly remembered, “Mrs. Canby won the hearts of all our boys through her kindness to our sick and wounded.” She spent hours every day visiting the wounded, “bringing them delicacies and cheering their drooping spirits with kind words.” She even revealed hidden caches of blankets belonging to the US government, an action which aroused some disgust from Santa Fe’s Unionists. Overall, however, she came out of the campaign with a sterling reputation for kindness and charity.[3] Less fortunate were the Texan wounded down south in Socorro. These recovering survivors of Valverde had not received any fresh supplies and were starving to death. With Canby heading north, Kit Carson found himself in charge of the situation. Carson agreed to rescue the Texans at Socorro with food and other supplies if they in turn surrendered themselves on terms of parole. The agreement was finalized and 10 days’ rations were delivered. However, over 30 Texans refused to surrender even for this bountiful gift and struggled north to unite with Sibley.[4]

The New Mexico Campaign, 1861-1862 Part IV: Into Northern New Mexico

 On to Albuquerque

The Confederate victory at Valverde temporarily halted Union opposition. The Federals prepared for the further Confederate incursions. Canby instructed Major James Donaldson and part the 3^rd U.S. Cavalry to head north and remove or destroy all supplies along Sibley’s route. He further wanted all Union forces in northern New Mexico to consolidate at Fort Union. Fort Union sat at the other end of Apache Canyon, the entryway into Colorado Territory. Donaldson followed his orders, destroying or taking all that was in Santa Fe. Santa Fe itself, despite its importance as the territorial capital, was deemed indefensible because it was surrounded by hills. It would be abandoned for the time being. Once finished, Donaldson joined Colonel Gabriel R. Paul and his 4^th New Mexico Volunteers at Fort Union. The colonel as a veteran of the Mexican War and frontier fighting and noted for his competency. Paul now had under him a company of regular soldiers, two cavalry units, two howitzers, Coloradans (more on them later), and additional New Mexican volunteers under Manuel Chaves, the descendant of a conquistador and a prominent New Mexican himself.[1]

The Sibley Brigade’s first major stop was at Socorro. The march there was very unpleasant. The ground was “deep sand. Our progress was slow as our mules were about worked down and could hardly pull the empty wagons.” The men had to physically help out and push the wheels to keep the wagons moving. The shortage of litters for Valverde’s wounded exacted a further logistical price. Texans had to cut up some of their tents to fashion new litters. The destination was worth it. Socorro was held by Captain Nicolas Pino and 200 Hispanic militiamen. The rebel guns opened fire and most of the militia abandoned Pino. The captain surrendered and the Texans moved in. Socorro provided the first real housing in over a month. The Sibley Brigade stayed there for four days, turning it into a hospital where the wounded could be left. With the wounded there, the Sibley Brigade would be able to move on without their weight slowing them down. One of the wounded, Captain Lang of the lancers, was in such agony that he begged his slave for his revolver. He promptly committed suicide with it. The brigade, aside from the wounded and some doctors and guards, marched out on February 26. These would be brought up later, but were practically at the mercy of Canby’s men should they decide to leave Fort Craig. As Sibley’s Brigade moved, small parties of Federals followed them, but at a “respectful distance.” The Confederates were actually glad to have the enemy nearby, as they were one of the only reliable sources of supplies, meaning they could steal from them through small raids and forays. They also looted the various villages they came across, to ravenous extents. They not only deprived hundreds to thousands of New Mexicans of food, livestock, and tools, but sometimes tore up their roofs and house frames for much-needed wood. Up to this time they lost about 1,000 horses to hard marching effects and Apache raids. In spite of their victory a week earlier, the rank-and-file were in tough straits. They marched with thirst and “gnawing hunger,” with little transportation to haul their baggage. Stragglers lined the route. Even the hard-fighting Lieutenant-Colonel Scurry began to lose heart and made a failed bid to resign. The officers and men of the Sibley Brigade hoped that the capture of Albuquerque would relieve their suffering.[2]

The New Mexico Campaign, 1861-1862 Part II: Confederate Arizona and Sibley's Scheme

Confederate Arizona

 

Further Fights with the Federals

By late summer of 1861, the Confederacy had a firm foothold in New Mexico Territory. Confederate Arizona was the first conquest of the emerging nation and it was hoped that it would just be the first of many. Recognizing that Canby’s Union force would soon largely outnumber the Confederates, Baylor appointed native Hispanics to prominent posts in an effort to win over the majority of the population and keep his position secure until more aid could arrive from the east.[1] Even with the establishment of a new government, the violence still raged between Texan and Federal forces. Small groups of Baylor’s men and Federals got into several skirmishes. In these the Texans usually claimed victory. The first such victory came when they beat off a Union raid on a Confederate horse herd. On the night of September 24 a small force of Federal Hispanic volunteers under Captain John H. Minks were investigating the town of Alamosa when they heard what sounded like an Indian war whoop. Instead of Indians they found Texan pickets. After a short firefight the Texans withdrew. The following day Minks found himself and his volunteers in a poor position. The Texan commander, Captain Bethel Coopwood, had been sent to scout the area around Fort Craig and now stood between Minks and safety at his home base. The New Mexican Volunteers made a dash for it, but a good chunk was force into a fight. An hour long firefight ensued, with the Texans enjoying the benefits of two high ridges. The Federals attempted to fight their way out towards Fort Craig. With a spyglass Minks saw that 60 horsemen were about to charge his line.  He surrendered along with a few wagons, but most of his men had already got away, the skirmish giving them time to put some distance towards Fort Craig. The Texans escaped with 2 killed and 10 wounded. In addition to those captured on the 25^th, the Federals lost about a dozen killed and wounded in these engagements.[2]