ettled in between the Rio Grande and the Grand Canyon. They herded sheep and grew corn in the valleys. They were a peaceful group of people, and were one with their surroundings. American settlers started to pour into the area and raids began. There were attempts to negotiate treaties between eighteen-forty-six and eighteen-forty-nine but the Navajo, with a population of twelve thousand, were very scattered, and could not have coordinated discussions. Fort Defiance was built in eighteen-fifty-one. It was located about thirty miles southeast of Canyon de Chelly. The Navajo people, to graze sheep, had used this land. And now it had been taken over for use by the soldier?s horses. A long barrage of attacks and reprisals had begun. These battles peaked in 1860 when one thousand warriors waged an attack on Fort Defiance. The army was forced to abandon the fort, but revenge was the word that would cut across the Navajo nation. The Navajo?s crops were burned, livestock was confiscated or slaughtered, and they faced the threat of starvation. A peace agreement was signed in 1861, which included government rations for the tribe. The ratios were given in a festive atmosphere, which including events such as horse racing and betting. During the last race of the day, an army rider was accused of cheating and was declared winner. Uproar ensued. The army withdrew to the fort where the commander ordered them to open fire. More than thirty Indians were shot dead, including women and children. This brought upon a new wave of violence. By 1863 Colonel Christopher ?Kit? Carson was named took command of the campaign against the Navajo. His troops stormed the sacred Canyon de Chelly and burned their homes, as well as saddles and clothing. Their sheep and cattle were slaughtered as well as two million pounds of corn burned. Families were put under armed guard. Only a small few were able to escape captivity. After months of imprisonment a...
