Investor Presentaiton
The Chichimeca War (1550-1590)
In 1554, the worst disaster of all took place when Chichimeca Indians attacked a
Spanish caravan of sixty wagons with an armed escort in the Ojuelos Pass. In
addition to inflicting great loss of life, the Chichimecas carried off more than
30,000 pesos worth of clothing, silver, and other valuables.
In the years to follow, the majority of the attacks were aimed primarily at
highway traffic to and from the new silver mines and at estancias (small cattle
ranches) in or near the land of war. The Indians preferred to attack the silver
caravans in a narrow pass, in rocky terrain, or in places with sufficient forestation
to conceal their approach. They usually ambushed their victims at dawn or dusk
and struck with great speed. Professor Powell wrote that "surprise, nudity,
body paint, shouting, and rapid shooting were all aimed at terrifying the
intended victims and their animals. There is ample evidence that they usually
succeeded in this."
Source: Philip Wayne Powell, "Soldiers, Indians and Silver: North America's First Frontier War" (1973).
18
Copyright © 2019 by John P. Schmal.
All Rights Reserved.View entire presentation