Volume 1     Issue 2            5511 E. 3rd St        Tucson, Arizona 85711       Spring Issue 1996 

---

The Myth of Inferior Spanish Arms?

In much of the literature written on the late 18th Century Spanish military in northern New Spain, there are copious notations of the state of the arms and equipment of the soldiers. Morehead in Jacobo Ugarte and the Apache Frontier points out the decrepit state of escopetas and fusils in the Provencias. In addition, in the various inspections of the frontier note is taken of the poor situation of uniforming and equipment.

There is no doubt the situation left much to be desired. The Seven Years' War and the American Revolution prevented the Crown from fully exploiting the resources available in New Spain. Certainly, the political machinations in Mexico City and the rampant corruption in the supply system did little to help efficiency.

The Spanish Army, operating a thin line of defense across the boundaries of northern New Spain suffered for these problems. But how bad was it?

It appears that while the eastern frontier saw setbacks, the deplorable state of affairs didn't stop the military from holding its own in the Pimeria and California, finally forcing the hostile Indians to sue for peace. Several examples from the latter part of the 18th Century demonstrate this. In 1779 an estimated 350 Apaches attacked the Tucson presidio and were repulsed by only fifteen soldiers. Again, on May Day of 1782, a Sunday, a force of 600 attacked the Presidio and suffered a defeat.

Much is made of the defeat of Captain Tovar and twenty-nine men at Santa Cruz de Terranate (in modern Arizona). Tovar dismounted his lancers, surrendering his tactical edge against bow and arrow wielding Apaches. It is never mentioned that the replacement commander raided a ranchería of 400 Indians seven months later and avenged Tovar's disaster.

And if Fages's 1781-82 punitive expeditions against the Quechans on the Colorado weren't decisive, the cause was partly the thick bosques and cienegas.

Soldiers regularly traveled in small groups across the frontier, and in most cases traveled unmolested. In California Cpl. José Valesquez and a small courier patrol traveled 1,440 miles in 49 days without trouble. The number of Indians at that time was still considerable.

Reports of poor firearms may be somewhat misleading. In some cases corrupt presidio commanders no doubt let their force deteriorate, but accounts speak of regular firing practice and drill. It should be noted that by 1786, the Apaches were adopting the reservation system, and by 1790 relative peace existed on the frontier. Perhaps, just perhaps, the frontier soldier and his weapons deserve more credit than they get.

Parade in Washington Honors the Spanish Hero of the Revolution

The National Park Service is planning a parade in honor of Bernardo de Galvez this fall. Contact Hector Diaz, Hispanics of the American Revolution Contingent at P.O. Box 11572, Baltimore, Md. 21229-0572 if your group is interested in participating.

The Park Service is also planning a reenactment of the 1797 defeat of the British in Puerto Rico.

Men Needed to Defend California en

Los Soldados del Real Presidio de Santa Barbaros

Santa Barbara

are looking for men to participate in the living history portrayal of the presidial soldier of California.

contact

Michael Hardwick

205 Vernal , Santa Barbara, Ca.

(805)-687-8541

Confederate Pathways to the Pacific

This new book by L. Boyd Finch concerns the Civil War in Arizona and New Mexico. Primarily concerned with the Civil War in the West, hispanic history buffs will find the portraits of life in the Mesilla Valley and Confederate Arizona quite intriguing.