Southwest Crossroads— Footpath: In 1864—Navajos and the Long Walk

Part 2: Selections

	Title(s): Barboncito’s Speech to General Sherman at Fort Sumner; Dinétah: An Early History of the Navajo People Author(s): Barboncito (Author); Lawrence D. Sundberg (Author) Description: The Navajo leader Barboncito tells General Sherman to release the Navajos from captivity at Fort Sumner. Excerpt: Bringing us here has made many of us die, also a great number of our animals. Our Grandfathers had no idea of living in any other place except our own land, and I don't think it is right for us to do what we were taught not to do. When the Navajo were fir...
	Title(s): Bosque Redondo; Dancing Gods: Indian Ceremonials of New Mexico and Arizona Author(s): Erna Ferguson (Author) Description: A description of the Navajo people’s forced exile to Bosque Redondo in 1864. Excerpt: At the end of February 1864, General Carleton reported the surrender of over three thousand Navajos, more than half the tribe. He demanded food and clothing for them all, and while waiting for Washington to act, he put his troops on half rations and order...
	Title(s): Chester Arthur Tells about How the Navajo Were Corralled ; The Navajo Indians Author(s): Chester Arthur (Author); Dane Coolidge (Author); Mary Roberts Coolidge (Author) Description: An account of the destruction of Navajo crops, livestock and lives by the U.S. Army under Colonel Kit Carson (Red Shirt). Excerpt: That frightened the young men and they fled, but the soldiers did not come back. At first the Navajos were afraid and watched the trails, but as summer came on with lots of rain, they went back to their old homes and planted corn. Even around Fort Defianc...
	Title(s): Now You Are Beginning Again; Dinétah: An Early History of the Navajo People Author(s): Barboncito (Author); Lawrence D. Sundberg (Author) Description: In this passage, Barboncito urges his people to care for their sheep as if they were family members. Excerpt: “Now you are beginning again. Take care of your sheep, as you would care for your own children. Never kill them for food. If you are hungry, go out! Find the wild plants, find the wild animals, or go without food, for you have done that before! These fe...

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