Sioux Dakota War 1854-1866

Trailer

Drawn From

Clodfelter, Micheal. The Dakota War. McFarland, 25 July 2015.

Springer, Charles H. Soldiering in Sioux Country: 1865. Frontier Heritage Press, 1971.

Vestal, Stanley. Warpath. U of Nebraska Press, 1984.

Substack Note

As a script writer that enjoys creative process of dialogue, what a tool fitted to that aspect of creative writing. With all the buzz on AI - want to clarify all the dialogue lines - for better or worse - are handwritten and fed into the robots to generate video sound content.

“Although an unexpected climate swing (generation of drought) brought on the bison crisis, the Comanche’s actions had contributed to the damage. By monopolizing the river basins for their horses, by slaughtering vast numbers of bison for subsistence and trade, by opening their hunting grounds to outsiders, Comanches had critically undercut the viability of the bison population.” Hämäläinen, Pekka K. The Comanche Empire. New Haven, Conn. ; London, Yale University Press, 2009. pg. 297

The parallels between Indigenous Native and modern American culture are striking - especially so since the common factor is a happy accident of geography, rather than race, creed, culture or ethnography.

Diet

If you don’t see the modern American hamburger in the Sioux, Comanche plains diets of pan-fried bread and bison meat I don’t know what to feed ya.

Glory Buoys

The plains warrior counting coup culture - in which feats of battle were meticulously tracked, recorded and retold to elevate a warrior’s status - is today reflected by the American football player putting stickers on their helmets to commemorate plays, or the obsessive sports fan pastime of recalling past glory and compiling statistical metrics of athletic feats.

The far-ranging horse culture - Comanche bands could range from Kansas to as far south as San Luis Potosi on the same raid - is today reflected by the American fascination with the open road and epic road trips.

As quoted, and contrary to modern American fetishizing of Native American culture as in tune with nature - native Americans and modern Americans are both prone to exploiting natural resources to the hilt and exhaustion for economic gain.

Vampire Weekend Music

The all-night rock concert meets the drum circle.

Burning man akin to the Sundance?

All night music rocks is an American thing.

Politics

The Dog Soldiers were a military society. They were like the army of the Indians. They’re soldiers that—Lakota call them akicita; they’re in the military. The Council of Forty-Four was the governing body. The Cheyenne had a very sophisticated governing body. They had ten bands. Four representatives from each band would be a part of the Council of Forty-Four. Then they would bring in the keeper of the sacred hats and the keeper of the sacred arrows. They would pick somebody as the head chief. But they’d always bring somebody in from another tribe to be a party to this. They governed primarily as a peace council. They tried to keep the peace—not only within the community, but also outside it. It was heavily focused on conflict resolution. You practice harmony with each other.

- Rick Williams on Restorative Justice.

A link that our history has erased - for obvious reasons of racial and cultural superiority - is that the modern American political experiment has as much to owe to the experiences pre-American colonizers had with Native Nations of their time. The noble savage myth creates the stereotype of a human being in a primitive state all around, closer to the state of nature. This idea is ridiculous - the truth is the native tribes had sophisticated and diverse forms of governance, religion and trade network on par with anything in Europe.

These encounters presented political modalities that were unimaginable to the monarch Euros. Native Cultures were fiercely democratic, sophisticated, and no two had the same exact system. This proved to the European minds that a far greater range of political organization was possible - leading directly to the American revolution, rejection of monarchy, and the experiment in democratic republicanism we have today. The story of the Iroquois constitution Gayanashagowa is recognized by some historians. Most contemporary histories have erased this link, preferring a vaguer story of enlightened ideals inspired by Greek democracy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Law_of_Peace Another example is the state Constitution of Oklahoma, which was ripped from the Constitution proposed by the native people for the state of Sequoyah. The white response was, no you cannot have a state, but this constitution is so good we will use it for our own.

Religion

A last note - modern physicists and mainstream Americans asking hard questions about consciousness in artificial intelligence are now catching up to the conscious view of the universe that many Native people believed.

Violins

On the dark side - the modern violence of mass random shooting indiscriminately killing men, women or children whoever is on the scene is eerily similar to the massacres of war cultures on the plains, where natives would from time to time wipe out bands of their enemies.

Power to the People!!

Oglala Lakota/Cheyenne Chief Rick Williams spoke to an audience of Americans to lay out the systemic fraud and signature forgeries on treaties from the 19th century. Upon completing his talk presentation, Q&A opened. The horrified audience members at turns offered money and land to Rick. Rick seemed not interested in these matters. Finally, someone in the audience thought to ask, ‘what do you want?’ ‘Power,’ Chief Williams said. Power in the federal United States is statehood. What native peoples need today is power. The five nations in Oklahoma asked for it in the proposal for Sequoyah. Chief Williams request for power is the same ask. This idea reconciles the American past with the American present and would build an American future. That’s my piece - state building is not a historical artifact; it is a choice we can make here and now for justice and equity.

Who says no?

I don’t know what to make of the parallels. Any inquiry starts with noting phenomena. That’s all this is. Try for some overarching theory to connect the dots. The theory that lands shapes human behavior is an appealing one, as assimilation by contact and the happy accident of geography are the only threads tying anything together.

Cheyenne Dictionary https://www.cheyennelanguage.org/dictionary/lexicon.php

My interest in Algonquian language study feels similar to where I was several years ago upon starting this newsletter in Sanskrit. For my next trick, I plan to dig deeper into Algonquian linguistics. Apply the phonetic Sanskrit to the recast phonetic Anglicized Cheyenne vocabulary. I have no idea where that path may lead - and as this may be the last word on the matter here - I can say that Cheyenne renders much better in phonetic Sanskrit over English. The language vocabulary is inflected, where a stem word is modified in various ways to create new words with meaning. English works by adding words and using rules of grammar to create meaning.

Competing with History Channel programming by programmer…

A slice of real American history in the old west as it happened. feat. The Bents, Kit Carson, Jim Beckwourth, Bill Williams, Charlotte & Dick Green, John Milton Chivington, Ned Wynkoop, John Evans, Silas Soule, Whirlwind, Black Kettle, Left Hand, Owl Woman & Yellow Haired Woman, and many more. And the long slow burn of events that led to Sand Creek, literally by the offspring of William Bent.

REFERENCES

1. David Sievert Lavender. Bent’s Fort. U of Nebraska Press, 1 Jan. 1954.

2. Mendoza, Patrick M. Song of Sorrow : Massacre at Sand Creek. Denver, Colo., Willow Wind Pub. Co, 1993.

3. Sides, Hampton. Blood and Thunder. Anchor, 9 Oct. 2007.

4. Coel, Margaret. Chief Left Hand. University of Oklahoma Press, 1 Mar. 1988.

5. ‌Hyemeyohsts Storm, and John W Ravage. Seven Arrows. New York, Harper & Row, 1972.

6. ‌Monnett, John H. The Battle of Beecher Island and the Indian War of 1867-1869. 1 May 1994.

7. Mcdermott, John. Circle of Fire. S.L., Stackpole Books, 2020.

8. McGinnis, Anthony. Counting Coup and Cutting Horses. Johnson Books, 1990.‌

9. Vestal, Stanley. Warpath. U of Nebraska Press.

10. Utley, Robert M, and Wilcomb E Washburn. Indian Wars. Boston Mass., Houghton Mifflin, 2002.

11. White, Lonnie J. Hostiles and Horse Soldiers. 1972.

12. Hyde, George E. A Sioux Chronicle. Norman, University Of Oklahoma Press, 1956.‌

13. ‌‌Olson, James C. Red Cloud and the Sioux Problem. Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Press, 1975.

14. Greene, Jerome A. Morning Star Dawn: The Powder River Expedition and the Northern Cheyennes, 1876. Norman, University Of Oklahoma Press, 2003.‌

15. ‌Weber, David J. The Spanish Frontier in North America. New Haven, Yale University Press, 2009.

16. ‌Cozzens, Peter. Eyewitnesses to the Indian Wars, 1865-1890. Volume 2, the Wars for the Pacific Northwest. Mechanicsburg, Pa, Stackpole Books, 2002.

17. Cozzens, Peter. Conquering the Southern Plains. Mechanicsburg, Pa Stackpole Books, 2003.

18. Chalfant, William Y, and Robert M Utley. Cheyennes and Horse Soldiers : The 1857 Expedition and the Battle of Solomon’s Fork. Norman, University Of Oklahoma Press, 1989.‌

Bent’s Fort highlighted in yellow. It was central to the flow of trade heading from west from St. Louis en route supply military forts, fur trappers in the mountains - and later miners - and to New Mexico and Mexican markets. The fort stood at the nexus of many currents. It sat in the seams of many tribes hostile to one another along east west and north south axis - the Comanche, Kiowa, Apache vs. Cheyenne and Sioux nations and the Plains vs. Mountainous tribes (Utes, Shoshones, Blackfeet) - who all benefitted from trade at the fort and suffered no signficant incursion to their territory. But so were many other forts that came and went - Bridgers, St. Vrains, the second Bent Fort - none of which made as deep a historical groove as the original.

Charlotte’s dancing and home cooking is called out in the official histories as a footnote for being a major draw to the Fort when it may in fact have been the key ingredients. Attractive women and good food were rarer than Gold in those times and that place on the plains and drew the conditioned to far-ranging mountain men and packers from all over in equal measure. By comparison, the culinary palettes of the plains Indians was pure Conan McDonald’s - buffalo meats and pan-fried bread. The texts treat the Greens and Charlotte’s contributions to the Bent empire as slaves in a shockingly folksy way. Then, as now, the valuations of the unpaid economy are incalculably part of the whole. Back to the history at hand, Dick and Charlotte left the life they lived for better part of their lives immediately after freedom to start over back east in Kentucky or other parts thereabouts lost to history’s lens. By the time the Greens were free, William Bent was the only one of the four brothers left. Surviving William Bent freed Dick and Charlotte for Dick’s valor in the Pueblo uprising that killed his owner, Charles Bent. That the Greens did not stay for a hot minute leaves a lot between the lines to read.

Based on the story of Kit Carson intervening to stake a losing Cheyenne woman with a string of pearls before she could lose her shirt and modesty with a bad hand.

The late 18th century was an age of receding darkness - the known world of Eurocentric man was expanding at a rate that exceeded the breadth of a single lifespan. The known world at the time of one’s death was much greater than at one’s birth for many generations until all the oceans and lands of the worlds had been mapped. Every path established. Every fog vanquished.

For a time the English mind was as open as the horizon before its ascendant empire. Before the jingo and racist bigotry of the 19th century polluted the British enterprise, the minds of men like William Jones who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal and explorer James Cook took on the notion of discovery for the sake of its own and took the meeting of other humans on the globe on their terms.

adapted from Captain Cook’s Voyages 1768-1770. London, The Folio Society, 1997.

Adapted from White, Lonnie J. Hostiles and Horse Soldiers. Pruett Publishing, 1972.

Related - The first battle of Adobe Walls I made a cameo in The Conquistadors! mixtape.

The first Spaniards who came to New Spain were men. These men came for one of three reasons; to get rich or die trying, to get rich by the king, or to promote God.

“I came here for gold, not to till the earth like a serf,” Hernán Cortés snarled.

“We came to get rich and serve God,” Bernal Diaz bluntly wrote.

Spain’s first outpost was the island of Cuba. Columbus died thinking he had found the islands of Japan. Maps at the time drew the eastern face of the American continent munged into a ball of mud with Asia. That another ocean - the Pacific - had yet to be crossed before the spice, fur and silk trades of Japan, China and India could be reached was just being conceived. Bit by bit, expedition by expedition, the Spanish realized the bowl-shaped Gulf of Mexico with the Yucatan peninsula as its bottom lip. These expeditions when they came to shore were met with immediate hostility. Like birds trying to land on an angry beehive, the Spaniards could not find purchase, but irresistibly intrigued, trying time and again for the honey. For the few occasions the conquistadors were met by natives with curiosity and willing glass bead trade, the Spanish found small bits of worked metal on hand. Nothing of significance, but when asked where they got this small stuff and more was - always they replied, west, Mexico. They were vexed.

Into this gordian knot stepped a motley collection of soldiers of fortune, knights at the end of an age when 8 centuries of holy war that pushed the Moors back across the strait to Africa out of the Iberian Peninsula with the fall of Granada. Mexico was familiar terrain - similar to what they found in the low and highlands of Mexico. The Aztec system of tributary with the emperor Moctezuma and his chief nobles resembled the feudal medieval politics of monarchal Europe and its feudal vassals. Nonetheless, for all the familiarity, the Spanish were at an impasse. Without a winning plan the mainland was a hive of hostility they could gain neither friendly foothold nor fort.

Cracking this nut required a two headed genius. One genius was Hernán Cortés. The second genius was the Indian woman named Dona Marina.

Cortés was one of those natural born generals who by fate and ambition rather than military career were given the opportunity to flex their talents. Never at rest. Perpetually in motion. Taking decisive action without deliberation that struck at core insights into the psychology of humans. A study of the options Cortés faced and decisions he made exemplifies Sun Tzu’s Art of War and Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings who wrote that all his duels were won with luck. Luck blew the sails of boats containing men and horses in from the ocean to reinforce Cortés when he was low on both after hard campaigning. Luck fit Cortés into the Aztec prophecy that kept Montezuma on his backfoot, hesitant at every turn, unable to hide his preference for deference in his belief. Cortés seemed to know exactly what notes to strike to unhinge his enemies will to fight. When his captains lost their nerve on the eve of invading Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, seeing the massive host they faced - and suggested they go back, Cortés laughed. You can try to go back, but it’s impossible. Cortés explained the dynamics of the psychology they were facing - Our hold on their minds is tenuous. To turn back on some flimsy pretext would undo that hold. They are in awe of us, taken aback by our lack of deference to their Montezuma King and brazen defiance of his word. They believe we will lead them. If we disillusion our allies and perceive us as weak, they will turn hostile. They will rise from every rock to swallow us alive before we make the coast. Our only course is forward. It was this that was Cortés genius - his insight into the political dynamics the Spanish faced. The Aztec were not a monolith. The seeming indomitable Aztec empire was fractured and fissured beyond repair. The practices of human sacrifice had rotted its power to the core. All of Montezuma’s vassals were rabid enemies, ready to throw off the yoke of being tapped for sacrifice and taxation with no reward. The hostility the Spanish faced was displaced rage - there was a mass of potential energy waiting to turn kinetic under the right leadership. Cortés felt this to his core.

The second genius was a woman christened by the Spaniards as Dona Marina. She who gave Cortes his epithet of Malinche - after her - and birthed his son. Sold at a young age, made a mistress to the district, suffered a harsh life under a brutal system of state violence and repression in the Aztec sacrifices and lot of women in this culture. The Aztecs gave her as a gift to Cortés with a lot of women. A slave. Dona Maria then rose from this position to learn Spanish on the fly, seduce Cortes, serve as interpreter and chief strategist to Cortes, saving his life from conspiracy at least once, and serving to bring down the entire edifice of Aztec power structure from emperor down to the lowest priest of brutality crashing down. A woman on par with Joan of Arc or Phoolan Devi. Marina played the part of insurgent rebel magnificently then retreated into the fold of history.

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Drawn From

Diaz del Castillo, Bernal. The Conquest of New Spain. Penguin UK, 26 June 2003.

Pedro, and Victor Wolfgang. The Incas of Pedro de Cieza de Leon. University of Oklahoma Press, 1959.

Scholes, France Vinton. The Maya Chontal Indians of Acalan-Tixchel. University of Oklahoma Press, 1948.

Prescott, William H, and Keith Henderson. History of the Conquest of Mexico. Vol. 1, Hearn Holt and Company, 1 Dec. 1922.

Hammond Innes. The Conquistadors. London, Penguin, 2002.

Samuel Eliot Morison. Admiral of the Ocean Sea : A Life of Christopher Columbus. Morrison Press, 2008.

Adapted from one of the most horrifying journals in the annals of war writing, this illustrates the field diary of Lieutenant Charles Springer, a soldier of fortune from Germany. At the end of the American civil war, battle hardened veterans like Springer were re-deployed to the plains along with galvanized yankees, or southern confederate soldiers re-purposed. Lt. Springer and men like him were thoroughly battle hardened. The charnel of men in battle to them like the slaughter of cattle. The authorial perspective of the text treats the expedition into Sioux country like a camping trip - day after day a routine hunting, fishing and camping until the troops have marched far enough to come into contact with Sioux warriors. Several heated battles follow. The narrative tension builds upon daily routines of violence visited upon prey animals that escalates at once from beast to man. The column of Lt. Springer returns to Fort Kearny. There the soldiers play baseball, get drunk and attend the daily duties of the fort and are mustered out. Lt. Springer left the service in 1866 one year to the day of the Civil War ending 4/9. Springer committed suicide 20 years later.

Legendary gun fighter John Coffee "Jack" Hays leveraged the new six shooter Colt pistol with hard-core drilling into a winning strategy against the feared Comanche of Texas. Hays founded the Texas Rangers and led them into the field in running gun battles with Comanche warriors in the feared Llano Estacado, or Staked Plains. Hays became the first sheriff in San Francisco after leaving the Texas Rangers.

Adapted From

• Gwynne, S. C. (2010). Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history

• White, Lonnie J. Hostiles and Horse Soldiers. 1972.

• Richardson, Rupert Norval. Comanche Barrier to South Plains Settlement. 1 Mar. 1993.

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General Sherman eulogized General George C. Crook as the greatest Indian fighter of his age. Crook defeated the Apache, resigning his commission shortly before the final surrender of Geronimo and Natches in 1886, defeated the Paiutes in the deadliest Indian War of the west the Snake Conflict 1864-1868, and fought with the Cheyenne and Sioux in the Plains War in the battle of Rosebud 1876. A born fighter, Crook did not take prisoners - preferring to let Indians captured go free and choose to fight or remain at peace. Crook wore his men and animals to a nub on his relentless campaigns through the homelands of the Indians he fought - when asked by a reporter how Crook could continue a field campaign with no provisions left to feed the men, Crook replied, "We still have the mules." True to his word - Crook continued his campaign by feeding his men with worn out mules every night until there were none left.

Chief White Bull was a Sioux and righthand man to Sitting Bull. White Bull fought in the Plains Wars and at the Rosebud battle, where General Crook was defeated by a host of Cheyenne and Sioux warriors and was present at Custer's Last Stand. Among other exploits at Rosebud White Bull lamed a Shoshoni warrior with his lance, after dismounting him from his horse with his rifle.

Adapted from

• Thrapp, D. L. (1975). The conquest of Apacheria. University of Oklahoma Press.

• Worcester, D. E. (1979). The Apaches Eagles of the Southwest. University of Oklahoma Press.

• Vestal, Stanley. Warpath. U of Nebraska Press.

• Mangum, Neil C. Battle of the Rosebud. Upton & Sons, 1987.

• Michno, Gregory. The Deadliest Indian War in the West. Caxton Press, 2007.

General Ranald Slidell Mackenzie was one of the greatest Indian fighters of American history. Mackenzie scored critical victories over some of the most feared and implacable tribes, including the Cheyenne, Comanche, Kickapoos and Apache. Mackenzie's daring raid into Mexico to punish the Kickapoo tribe in 1873 was an international incident. Mackenzie's attacks on the Comanche in the Staked Plains broke their resistance, as did the resistance of the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne break after Mackenzie's attack on Dull Knife's camp on the Powder River in modern Wyoming. General Mackenzie unraveled at the end of his career and died young. Mackenzie was wounded in the Civil War and endured incredible hardships in his military campaigns. The accumulated toll of these stresses broke Mackenzie. Mackenzie died in 1889 at the age of 48 in a sanitarium.

Adapted from

• Cozzens, Peter. Conquering the Southern Plains. Mechanicsburg, Pa Stackpole Books, 2003.

• Greene, Jerome A. Morning Star Dawn: The Powder River Expedition and the Northern Cheyenne, 1876. Norman, University Of Oklahoma Press, 2003.‌

• Official reports of the committee of investigation sent in 1873 by the Mexican government to the frontier of Texas. 1873.

• Gwynne, S. C. (2010). Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history.

The Nez Perces were friends of the white from Lewis & Clark's expedition up the Mississippi Missouri Rivers. The trouble began with settlers pushing east from Oregon and California in the late 1870s. The extraordinary story of Chief Joseph, who defeated decorated combat generals time in battle and outwitted them in the field time and again before finally folding in Bear Paw mountains to General Nelson Miles. Known as Big Bear for his coat, General Miles later accepted the last defeat of the Apache with Geronimo in Skeleton Canyon, AZ.

Adapted from

• The Papers of the Order of Indian Wars. The Old Army Press. Fort Collins. 1975.

• Mark Herbert Brown. The Flight of the Nez Perce. U of Nebraska Press, 1 Jan. 1982.

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"I'll empty their guns!" The fall of Roman Nose, a great warrior of the Cheyenne who was killed at Beacher Island. Roman Nose belonged to the Crooked Lance society. Roman Nose's distinguishing feature was his war bonnet made by the medicine man Ice. Among his other feats, Roman Nose counted coup against General Winfield Hancock Scott.

Yellow Hair Woman was a Cheyenne woman who also appeared at this battle, stricken with grief over the killing of a husband. Yellow Hair Woman was mother to the Bents and wife to William Bent.

The Beacher Island battle was a debacle for U.S. forces. An early special forces unit gets in over their heads on the Arickaree Fork fighting the Sioux and Cheyenne. The party suffers starvation and wounds under siege for 9 days on their sandbar stronghold until relieved by a rescue force.

Colonel Forsyth, though badly wounded, affected to be reading a book when the force found him. An act Forsyth intended as a bit of stiff upper lip levity in the face of mortal danger but an act that may have damaged Forsyth’s career in the eyes of his superiors.

Adapted from

• Monnett, John H. The Battle of Beecher Island and the Indian War of 1867-1869. 1 May 1994.

• Mcdermott, John. Circle of Fire. S.L., Stackpole Books, 2020.

• McGinnis, Anthony. Counting Coup and Cutting Horses. Johnson Books, 1990.‌

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U.S. cavalry and Cheyenne warriors met at the Solomon river plain on July 29, 1857 to do battle. The Cheyenne were led by the medicine men Ice and Dark. The cavalry was led by Colonel Sumner.
In one of the rare set piece battles of the American Indian wars, the two sides met on mounted horseback. When Sumner ordered a charge with sabers drawn, the Cheyenne warriors were unnerved by the unexpected choice of weapon. The medicine men promised protection from bullets, not bladed weapons. With no preparation for sabers, the Cheyenne fired a volley of arrows then wheeled their horses and fled.

Adapted from Chalfant, William Y. Cheyennes and Horse Soldiers. University of Oklahoma Press, 1 Oct. 2002.

For over 100 years war raged between the Ojibwa and Dakota Sioux over the fishing, hunting and grounds and woodlands of Northern Minnesota. Much of the history of these wars are lost to oral and written tradition, though large numbers of projectiles - farmers with several glass jars filled with arrowheads from his fields - the only evidence of these battles. This is a trailer adaptation of Lund, Duane R. The Indian Wars. Cambridge, Minn., Adventure Publications, 1995.

From Pierre Verendrye's legendary run in the St. James trade post, to his son John Baptiste's unfortunate involvement in the war, to the century of bloodshed that followed. The Sioux pushed up into Minnesota from the southwest, living in hide covered teepees. The Ojibwa lived in bark covered dome lodges to the north over large territories. Bitter wars waged between these tribes over access to hunting grounds and the trade in steel tools and firearms with the Europeans in the lakes, streams rivers and waterways of modern Minnesota.

Colonel Forsyth, though badly wounded in the leg, affected to be reading a book when the force found him.

Adapted from

1. ‌Monnett, John H. The Battle of Beecher Island and the Indian War of 1867-1869. 1 May 1994.
   

2. Mcdermott, John. Circle of Fire. S.L., Stackpole Books, 2020.
   

3. McGinnis, Anthony. Counting Coup and Cutting Horses. Johnson Books, 1990.‌

The Cheyenne were led by the medicine men Ice and Dark. The cavalry were led by Colonel Sumner.

In one of the rare set piece battles of the American Indian wars, the two sides met on mounted horseback. The Cheyenne warriors were unnerved when Colonel Sumner ordered a charge with sabers drawn, The Cheyenne medicine promised protection from bullets, not bladed weapons. Feeling they had no defense against sabers, the Cheyenne warriors panicked, firing a volley of arrows then wheeling their horses and fleeing.

This a dip into a clip idea for recreating native American battles scenes using automated animation. idk to dig a trip or heave ho the one-off slip. it is what it is.

Adapted from

Adapted from Chalfant, William Y. Cheyennes and Horse Soldiers. University of Oklahoma Press, 1 Oct. 2002.

INTRODUCTION

After breaking out of the city of Mexico, the conquistadors regroup, reload and return to invade with a new plan for dealing with the city’s canal and waterway streets to pave the way as they go.

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

1 SIEGE OF MEXICO

We saw the Aztec squadrons closing in on the court where we conquistadors were encamped at dawn. The cavalry were on one flank. The Tlaxcalan allies were on the other. We charged through them in a rout, though many of our soldiers were wounded in that battle. It was not long before the other side of Guatemoc’s pincher movement, 10,000 Aztec warriors, struck. Their captains carried swords captured from us.

A conspiracy against Cortes was hatched at this time by the friends of Cuba Govneror Diego Velasquez. The ringleader was Antonio de Villafana. They would stab Cortes at his dinner table, surrounded by his captains, after presenting a false message from his father Martin Cortes. This plot was snuffed out and the man hanged. Cortes felt shook by the signatories of the incriminating evidence, but could ill afford to kill his own men on the eve of invasion.

After this the ships were readied and set onto the Lake. Cortes mustered 20,000 Tlaxcalan and Huexotzingo and Cholula warriors. We reviewed our forces at the great Courts of Texcoco. 84 cavalry. 650 soldiers with swords and shields and many with lances. 194 crossbowmen and musketeers. We divided powder and cannon among the gun boats and said our prayers to the Holy Father.

1 Assault from Tacuba

Pedro de Alvarado captained 150 sword and shield conquistadors, many with lances, and 30 horsemen, 18 musketeers and crossbowman. His brother Jorge de Alvarado, and Guiterrez de Badjoz and Andres de Monjaraz went with him.

Cristobal de Olid led another division. Then Cortes appointed Captains Andres de Tapia, Francisco Verdugo and Francisco de Lugo - between them they established squads.

Gonzalo de Sandoval was given another division. The Tlaxcalan and Chalcan and Huexotzingo forces were similarly divided and given command.

We decided to approach Mexico City from the Tacuba causeway, from the west. When we reached the causeway there were so many canoes on the lake full of warriors and the causeways so crowded with them, that we were astounded.

The warriors shot many arrows and javelins and stones from slings in the first volley they wounded 30 conquistadors. We pressed on the causeway toward the bridge. They let us reach it, whereupon a host of warriors charged down against us. The causeway, 8 paces wide. Our crossbowmen and musketeers never ceased loading and firing at the canoes, but did little damage to their barky bulwarks. When pressed they threw themselves into the water. There were so many of them that they could swim around again and return. The cavalry struggled to make headway.

2 Destruction of Iztapalata

One day Pedro Alvarado reported that people were coming and going on the other side of the city along a causeway which led to some small towns on the mainland. Cortes sent Sandoval to destroy these egress and settlements with 23 cavalry, 110 soldiers and 18 crossbowmen and musketeers.

The conquistador soldiers, horseman, crossbowmen, musketeers under Sandoval fought it out with the Aztec warriors bridge by bridge on the causeway where there stood one of their Idol tours at the foot of a great bridge which spanned a broad canal. The bridge had been raised and defended by a strong barricade.

As we entered the city, We went back and forth with the Aztec warriors with the waterways and causeways and bridges. Then we hit upon the idea to destroy the stone houses and fill in the waterway with the cut stone blocks of their homes as we went along our way into the city. We would build our own solid ground with the ruins of their once magnificent city.

We made attacks on the Aztecs every day and succeeded in capturing many idol towers, houses, canals and other openings and bridges which they had constructed, and we filled them all up with adobes and timbers from the houses we pulled down. In turn the enemy came back and deepened the channels and widened channels and erected more barricades. Battles raged between us night and day through the city in this way. We gained more ground day by day.

Defeat of Cortez

Some Aztec warriors wearing ensigns and plumes threw the severed heads of five Spaniards before us. One of these, they said, was Cortes. As we were retreating, we heard trumpets from the great Cue and a dismal sounding drum and small tambourines and tambourines and shell trumpets and horns and whistles. They were at that moment offering the hearts of ten of our comrades to their idols.

CAPTAIN ANTONIO QUINONES: Let us get away from here and save ourselves! None of us will escape!

Cortes was pulling men who had fallen into the water back onto the causeway when some Aztec warriors seized him. They began to carry him off when Cristobal de Olea charged in, hacking at their arms with his sword. They dragged Cristobal down and killed him as Cortes broke free. A conquistador on horseback clears a way for Cortes, but an Aztec warrior spears the conquistador in the neck from a rooftop in that instant. Cortes mounted the horse. Cristobal de Guzman mounted a horse on the island, but the Aztecs killed him and his horse before he could break free. In this defeat we lost 35 or 40 conquistadors and 1000 of our allies. We lost crossbows, a field piece, muskets and other arms. And Cortes was wounded in the leg.

3 Tlatelolco

Cortes realized it was impossible to fill in all the waterways day by day as the enemy undid much of our work at night and made better barricades. So Cortes consulted his captains and soldiers, Cristobal de Olid (who would die of his head wound later), Francisco de Lugo, Andres de Tapia, Pedro Alvarado and Sandoval. Cortes asked the question, should we advance into the city with a rush, so as to reach Tlatelolco, the great market of Mexico? After hearing many opinions, Cortes ordered that the next day all our soldiers would rush for the marketplace at Tlatelolco.

After establishing ourselves there the Aztecs continued their attacks every day. Our allies the Tlaxcalans, Cholulans and Huexotzingo began to drift away. Chichimecatecle was still with us and a few other Caciques. Cortes mustered another force from Texcoco.

We had hard fights every day, but we did not cease to advance, capturing barricades, bridges and water openings through the Aztec stone city. Some of us were captured and carried away. Cristobal de Guzman was kept alive for twelve days then sacrificed to Huichilobos.

From all three camps we were now advancing into the city. Cortes on his side. Sandoval on his and Pedro de Alvarado on our side. Soon we had 7/8 of the city.

Pedro de Alvarado advanced into Tlatelolco. There many Aztec warriors guarded their Idols and lofty Cues. They had raised many barricades. The horses had space to gallop, and the mounted conquistadors did much damage with their lances.

We ascended the 114 steps of their fortress pyramid. We destroyed their idols and oratories with fire. We planted our banners. The siege had lasted 45 days. It was to last 48 more.

4 Defeat of Guatemoc

One day smoke was rising from the two lofty towers of the Tlatelolco marketplace of the city. It could not be incense, we realized Pedro de Alvarado must have captured it. With our forces re-united we pressed our attack. The enemy gave way and at last we captured the plaza. Soon all companies under Cortes’ conquistadors established our camp in the marketplace. Soon we had control of the entire city.

When Cortes captured the Houses of Guatemoc that were built of stone, he realized they were deserted. Lord Guatemoc tried to escape by boat. He left with 50 canoes, with the property and gold and jewels of Guatemoc and his family set out onto the lake. Guatemoc was fleeing. Sandoval ordered his fastest sailor, Garcia Holguin, to give chase in a schooner. Soon Guatemoc was captured and brought before Cortez.

GUATEMOC: I have done my duty in defense of my City. Take that dagger in your belt and kill me at once.

With our trade stock exhausted, our course run. At our feet, the enemy lay in defeat. His idols overturned, his temples burnt. Our mission complete.

The date was August 13, 1521.

OVER AND OUTTRO ORO LOCO

REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION

After the death of Montezuma by stoning, the conquistadors decide to make a break for the city by the Causeway.

The newly joined contingent of Parfino Narvaez’s men that joined Cortes after being defeated suffer from gold madness. In the mad flight from Mexico city, many of those who fall in the water, laden down by armor and gold, drown.

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: The cavalry will use their lances to drive the Aztec squadrons off the causeway into the water. We leave tonight.

Cortes sent a message that we held an important man and we would give up to them all the gold if they let us go in peace within 8 days. This was a distraction as we planned to leave that night.

We constructed a wooden bridge of beams and planks that we can carry with us where the bridges are broken. 400 Tlaxcalan and 150 soldiers carried this bridge into position. They were to guard it until the army and all the baggage had passed. 250 Tlaxcalan and 50 soldiers got the cannon. Gonzalo de Sandoval, Diego de Ordas, Francisco de Sauzedo, Francisco de Lugo and 100 soldiers would do the fighting. Cortes, Alonzo de Avila, Cristobal de Olid and other Captains would support who needed most help in the fight. Pedro de Alvarado and Juan Velasquez de Leon were rearguard. Between them were the other two captains and soldiers of Narvaez, and 300 Tlaxcalans, prisoners and Dona Marina and Dona Luisa.

Cortes had all the gold and jewels and silver brought out in the Hall. We loaded up as much as we could carry in our baggage and persons. Then we headed out at midnight with the baggage. The Tlaxcalan warriors were laden with gold. The bridge was put in place and we were crossing when the sounds of whistles and trumpets called out our presence. A great multitude of Aztec warriors descended upon us to destroy our bridge. Soon the water opening was filled with dead horses, dead conquistadors, dead servants, Tlaxcalan, women baggage and boxes.

2 Tacuba

We made our way along the causeway to leave the city to Tacuba, leaving of our own dead behind. That night we stayed in a Cue in Tacuba. Juan Velasquez de Leon, Francisco de Sauzedo, Francisco de Morla, Lares and others were gone. The greater number of Narvaez’s followers were left at the bridges, weighed down with gold, survival succumbed to mortal greed. We lost 23 horses, all the cannon and artillery and powder. We had few crossbows. Most of our Tlaxcalan servants were dead.

3 Cautitlan

The next day we reached some farms and hamlets with the Aztec warriors in pursuit of us. They hurled many stones from their slings and threw lances and arrows. With their macahuitl swords they killed two soldiers and a horse and wounded many men. We cut and thrust and killed some of them. We slept in the houses and ate the horses.

The next day we set out to hear the fields were full of Aztec warriors. The horseman were given orders to charge at a gallop and not stop. The swordsman were instructed to strike through their bodies.

O’ King! What a fearful and destructive battle raged. We mixed it up foot to foot, with cuts and thrusts on that fertile plain. With fury the dogs fought and inflicted upon us their lances and macanas. The ground was level so the cavalry speared them as they chose, charging and returning.

Cortes and Cristobal de Olid, Gonzalo de Sandoval, Gonzalo Dominguez and Juan de Salamanca rode on one side determined to break through the squadrons. Cortes ordered us to target the chieftains who bore golden plumes and rich arms. They then reached the Captain General marching with his standard, with rich golden armour and great gold and silver plumes. The conquistadors charged. Cortes struck the captain. The other captains broke up the Aztec general soldiers. Juan de Salamanca finished him with a lance thrust and took his plume.

With him slain the attack slackened. We felt neither hunger nor thirst. Then our friends the Tlaxcalan warriors fought like lions, with their macahuitls they hacked at the enemy. We escaped from the City of Mexico on July 10, 1520.

860 conquistadors were killed in our escape. Many more of Narvaez’s followers died than did Cortes, they were laden with gold and could neither escape nor swim. There were 440 of us left. 20 horses. 12 crossbowmen and 7 musketeers. We had no powder. We were wounded and maimed.

4 Tlaxcala

We made our way back to Tlaxcala and healed our wounds. There Xicotenga the elder, who was blind, Xicotenga the younger, Chichimecatecle, Mase Escasi and other chiefs had an internal argument on our account. This saw Xicotenga the younger, a constant thorn in our side, brought down as a prisoner before the others and cast out. The old man took his son by his mantle, tore it and pushed him down the steps of the pyramid.

We remained 22 days there recovering from our wounds. Cortes decided then to leave for Tepeaca. At this those remaining who joined us from Narvaez balked. They wanted to return to Cuba.

5 Tepeaca

We mustered 5000 warriors from Tlaxcala and set out for Tepecea. The next day we had a fine battle with the Aztecs and Tepeacans on a plain, among maize and maguey. They fought fiercely, but our cavalry routed them. Our Tlaxcalan allies ran them off.

At that time Montezuma’s replacement died of smallpox. A replacement named Guatemoc took the fringe.

Diego Velasquez sent men from Cuba to arrest Cortez named Pedro Barba and Rodrigo Morejon de Lobera arrived with small squads of soldiers. These men and provisions were quickly brought over to Cortez upon making land. Soon more boats with provisions and fresh soldiers trickled in. Cortes had horses and soldiers and crossbows. With these Cortes chastised the towns of Zocotla and Xalatcinco and others where attacks had been made on Spaniards.

6 Chalco

Soon Cortes had an arsenal of muskets, powder and conquistadors. We wanted to attack the City of Mexico again. We mustered 10,000 Tlaxcalan warriors under the command of Chichimecatecle.

We descended the mountain to where saw smoke signals. Marching onward we came upon a host of Aztec and Texcocan warriors waiting for us in a pass through a rocky thicket with a broken-down wooden bridge. We soon defeated them and continued on through farms.

We conquered Chalco after another battle. Cortes had us construct boats. Our plan was to blockade the city on the lake by sea. As we went we would raise the houses and buildings and fill in the waterway.

7 Xochimilco

We arrived in the early morning. A host of warriors waited for us. Some on land. Others in a passage by a broken bridge. A great number of breast works and barricades had been thrown up. They fashioned lances from swords they captured from us during the slaughter on the Causeways. Muskets nor crossbows nor charges would break them.

The warriors pulled Cortes from his horse. They killed the horse and tried to drag Cortes away. Cristobal de Olea came up and cut Cortex free, suffering head wounds for his effort.

After hard fighting we drove the Aztecs out of the town and took the court. Many of our soldiers ascended the highest temples were the Idos were kept and looked over the Great City of Mexico and the lakes. From there they could see 2000 canoes full of warriors coming straight toward us from Mexico. Guatemoc sent them to greet us with lances, stones arrows and javelins. That night we tended to our wounds and weapons, readying ourselves for the final assault.

TOO BE CONTINUED…

INTERMISSION CHILL PILL

REFERENCES

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. - Sun Tzu

INTRODUCTION

With Lord Montezuma under house arrest and tensions mounting, the Conquistadors are stalemated in the water city of Mexico - unable to leave, unable to stay, unable to go - when an old nemesis Governor Diego Velasquez of Cuba sends unwanted guests.

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

While we conspired about how to extricate ourselves and the gold from Mexico, Diego Velasquez conspired to send a fleet of 19 ships, 1400 soldiers, 20 cannon, powder and ball, 80 horseman, 90 bowmen, 70 musketeers to bring Captain Cortes to heel as a destroyer of the Crown who had vastly over-stepped his bounds. The General Captain of this crew was Panfilo de Narvaez.

Narvaez came across the sea with his fleet to San Juan de Ulua. They picked up three men Cortes sent to find mines; they came aboard Narvaez’s ship and got drunk with him on wine.

Montezuma got to know about these ships and through his messengers Narvaez sent the message that Cortes was a traitor to the Crown and a wanted fugitive. When Montezuma heard this, he felt rescued from the fathomless depths of his lost position. One day Cortes noticed Montezuma was cheerful and inquired what was the good news.

MONTEZUMA: Malinche Cortes, word has just come. More ships have come. You can leave with them. You do not need to rebuild new ships now.

Defeat of Narvaez

Cortes pretended to be overwhelmed with joy at this news in front of Montezuma. But he knew these were likely from Diego Velasquez. Cortes gathered us, distributed gifts of gold, and asked them to stand by him in what was coming through thick and thin. Narvaez’s emissaries soon came to visit Cortes in Mexico City. Cortes received them warmly and through gifts of gold began to induce many in Narvaez’s party to come over to our side of the story.

The conquistadors met and decided to take the offensive and attack Narvaez. Pedro de Alvarado would stay in Mexico in charge of Montezuma while a force under Cortes would meet Narvaez.

Narvaez ordered his artillery, cavalry, musketeers and crossbowman to be taken out to a plain near Cempoala to wait for us. They were under order to capture or kill us all. Narvaez put a 2000 peso bounty on Cortes.

We waited. It rained for a few days. The soldiers we faced outnumbered us but were not hardened to field condition. They got tired and wet and abandoned their position in the field for warm lodging in town. We arrived at a stream near Cempoala where there were some good meadows. Cortes gave a rousing summary of our triumphs and hardships and spelled out Diego Velasquez’s motivation to seize our gold, as if it were not known. The first thing to be done was seize their artillery, 18 cannons. These were posted in front of Narvaez’s quarters. Cortes divided up the command, assigned tasks, and gave bounties for Narvaez to the first 3 persons that laid their hands on his person.

We came upon their camp and captured their artillery as planned, but not before one of their balls killed 3 of our soldiers. No sooner had the fighting started than Narvaez cried.

NARVAEZ: I’m hit! They shot out my eye!

Narvaez was soon tumbling down the steps of the pyramid he had stationed himself in. Though they outnumbered us greatly, many were ready to come over to our side after seeing and hearing about the gold we had propertied. Soon they stopped and Narvaez was brought before Cortes.

CAPTAIN NARVAEZ: Captain Cortes, you must consider your victory over me a great feat.

CAPTAIN CORTES: Actually, defeating you is just another day of the week for me.

CRISTOBAL DE OLID: Welcome to New Spain, Senor Parfino. Enjoy your stay!

The three men who betrayed us to Narvaez were beaten. Those of Narvaez’s men who wanted to join us were welcome. In this way we resupplied our provisions, weapons, manpower and had a fleet of ships now on which to leave. All thanks to Governor Diego Velasquez’s exertions. With this in hand, we promptly returned to Mexico City and our gold.

Narvaez brought a black man with him covered in smallpox, which would kill more of the natives than any of us.

Pedro Alvarado Destroys a Festival

We were all on edge all the time. There were signs that things were taking a hostile turn. Subtle warnings. Like thunder clouds before the storm. Signals that the winds had shifted. Supplicant peons at our service that would abruptly become sullen and insolent. People would avoid us or mock us from a distance. These were signs. Every ugly look could just be an annoyed servant or a tell. A tell that treachery was afoot. The surface tension of our uneasy friendly company about to erupt in violence over the affront of our presence.

Ill luck suddenly turns the wheel, and after the great fortune of Narvaez’s easy defeat on the coast, word came that Pedro Alvarado, holding down the fort with Montezuma in the City of Mexico, was under siege. We hurried to get back to the city to unite with Pedro, just having strengthened our numbers and provisions from the spoils won by vanquishing Parvino de Navaez.

Just as we were set to leave, 4 chieftains sent by Montezuma arrived. They cried and said Pedro Alvarado came out from his quarters with all the soldiers Cortes left garrisoned and fell on the chieftains and Caciques who were dancing and celebrating a feast in honor of their Idols Huichilobos and Tezcaptepuca. Pedro killed and wounded many of them. In defending themselves, six of Cortes’ soldiers were killed. Cortes, feeling frustrated with Pedro Alvarado, promised to return at once and put everything right. By forced march we returned swiftly, then Cortes sharply questioned his lieutenant about the massacre.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: What happened?

PEDRO DE ALVARADO: It was a trap.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: Explain.

PEDRO DE ALVARADO: They wanted to eliminate us, whether Montezuma lived or not. With us out of the way, they figured they could bar either your return or Narvaez’s entrance back into the city. They meant to divide and conquer us.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: Why?

PEDRO DE ALVARADO: You told them we would leave after we built our new ships. But when these ships arrived, and it was obvious we were not leaving, they felt betrayed.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: What was the reason you attacked when they were dancing and holding a festival?

PEDRO DE ALVARADO: I got word that the plan was to distract our conquistadors with Montezuma’s dancers, then fall upon us with weapons they had hidden in flags and batons.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: I believe you. But still it was badly done.

PEDRO DE ALVARADO: Their hostility began the moment you left. We’ve had to dig a well in our courtyard for water. We have to beg for food.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: I don’t fault or doubt you, Senor Pedro. You did your duty like a soldier. I trust you did what had to be done.

PEDRO DE ALVARADO: I honor your return, Captain. We have been under such strain without you, like a ship without wind.

Montezuma’s Harem

In the house of Montezuma lived all the daughters of chieftains whom Montezuma had as mistresses. They wore beautiful things. The great number of dancers kept by Montezuma for his amusement. The dancers wore stilts on their feet and others flew when they danced in the air like Fred Astaire. There was a whole district of apartments just to house all of Montezuma’s dancers.

REFERENCES

The expert in battle moves the enemy and is not moved by him. - Sun Tzu

CONQUISTADORS: “Miralo oro! Miralo mi oro!” (look at my sh*t! look at my sh*t!)

INTRODUCTION

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

After the defeat of Parfino Narvaez, Cortes made many speeches to win over Narvaez’s followers to his side, promising gold, riches and offices.

We found out that Montezuma’s warriors attacked Pedro Alvarado’s soldiers and burnt their quarters, but as soon as Montezuma heard of our victory and Narvaez’s defeat on the coast, the attack ceased. Cortes mustered more Tlaxcalan warriors. We had 1300 soldiers now after absorbing most of Narvaez’s men. 96 horses and 80 crossbowmen, and as many musketeers. With this Cortes had enough force to re-enter Mexico. We set out at once by forced marches to Texcoco. We arrived in Mexico on June 1, 1520.

Montezuma sent two messengers to welcome us. Cortes called them dogs and turned them back. Not an hour later the attack. A conquistador returned from the town of Tacuba wounded. Cortes ordered Diego de Ordas to take 400 soldiers and many crossbowmen, musketeers and cavalry to fight the Aztecans. Diego encountered so many squadrons of warriors on the streets. They fell upon him and killed 8 soldiers and wounded the rest. Diego himself was wounded. During the retreat they killed a conquistador named Lyscano, who was good with a broadsword.

Many squadrons of Aztec warriors approached our quarters, throwing javelins and slinging stones and firing arrows, wounding 46 men, 12 died. Our cannon, muskets, crossbows lances and sword thrusts killed and wounded many of them, yet they pushed themselves against the points of our swords and lances. At last cannon and muskets cleared an opening for Diego de Ordas to re-enter the stone-built palaces of our quarters. They maintained their attack all day and night. They set fire to our quarters. The javelins stones and arrows scattered on the courts and ground looked like chaff on a threshing floor.

The houses of the city of Mexico were separated by water, accessible by canoe or bridge. The warriors drew up the bridges and flung stones at us from the rooftops of the stone-built houses. For two days the fights raged night and day.

We attacked the great Cue Pyramid of their Idols named Great Teocalli of Tenochtitlan. 4000 Aztecas ascended to defend. They posted with long lances and stones and darts. The cannon nor crossbows nor muskets were of any avail. The courtyard was paved with flagstones so the horses slipped and fell. Our cannon shots carried off ten or fifteen Aztec warriors at a time and we slew many with sword thrusts. We persisted and made our way to the summit. With the help of the Tlaxcalans we set fire to their Idols Huichilobos and Tezcatepuc.

After this with great effort we returned to our quarters, where the attackers had destroyed several walls. That night we dressed our wounds. The followers of Narvaez cursed Cortes. They cursed Velasquez. They wished they were back in their warm beds in Cuba, and thought that we were all crazy out of our minds.

At dawn squadrons of Aztecan warriors surrounded our quarters from all sides. They discharged stones and arrows in thick showers. They tried to force entrance into our quarters. Our cannon and muskets did not discourage them. Cortes sent a message to Montezuma asking to speak from the roof to end the war.

LORD MONTEZUMA: What more does Cortes want from me? I do not want to live nor to listen to him. My life is ruined because of him.

Cristobal de Olid and Padre de la Merced went to speak with Montezuma. Montezuma told him he had been deposed. Nonetheless they placed Montezuma on a battlement on the roof with many conquistadors guarding him. Montezuma spoke to his people then. He begged them to desist fighting and promised the conquistadors would leave Mexico. The chieftains and Caciques asked the warriors to hold their fire of arrows and stones. Then some chiefs came forth and said.

AZTEC CACIQUES: You have been deposed. Lord Ixtapalapa Cuitlahuac has been raised to our Lord. Forgive us.

They had hardly finished when a shower of stones and darts were discharged. Montezuma was hit by three stones in the head, the leg and the arm. Montezuma died then.

REFERENCES

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle - Sun Tzu

INTRODUCTION

With peace unraveling while trapped in the water city of Mexico, the conquistadors have arrested Lord Montezuma and brought him to their quarters to live under armed guard while they figure out how to escape the city with their lives and the gold.

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

With Montezuma our prisoner, we bought ourselves some time. Cortes dispatched Gonzalo de Sandoval to Villa Rica on the coast. Gonzalo was to fetch blacksmiths and lumber to be hauled into Mexico City for constructing boats.

In the afternoons Cortes and Montezuma played Totoloque - game like marbles played with smooth pellets of gold. The Alvarados and others would watch and keep score or comment on the action. The stakes were palace jewels and gold that were bestowed upon either sides vassals; Cortes to Montezuma’s nephews and favorites, Montezuma to us watching.

The materials sent by Gonzalo de Sandoval from the coast arrived then and Cortes informed Montezuma that he wished to build two sloops for trawling around the lake with his conquistadors. Montezuma sent his best carpenters to help the Spaniards shape the oak timber.

When the sloops were complete, Cortes took Montezuma out on the boat. Velasquez de Leon, Pedro de Alvarado, Cristobal de Olid (who later gives his life to save Cortes), Alonzo de Avila and 200 soldiers accompanied Montezuma for the ride. We placed four bronze cannons aboard. The sailors brought us along the lake and Montezuma enjoyed sailing very much.

16 Axayactl’s Gold

The Lord of Texcoco, Cacamatzin, came to know that his Uncle Montezuma was a prisoner of the conquistadors and that every day the conquistadors were establishing their position. He also knew that the conquistadors had opened the bricked-up chamber of Axayaca’s treasure, Cacamatzin called together the Lords of Texcoco, his vassals, the lord of Coyoacan, his cousin, the Lord of Tacuba and the Lord of Iztapalapa and the Lord of Matalcingo, a relative of Montezuma known for bravery. They conspired to marshal their forces into a single host and attack us on a given day. Montezuma got word of this conspiracy and informed Cortes, not wishing to see his city ruined. Cortes could thus maneuver before the attack and began working on all the Lords that Cacamatzin gathered with messages of good will and gifts. Many lords in those city states were brought over to Cortes before the attack.

On the day of the attack, with the forces gathered, Cacamatzin made a speech promising glory and title if they freed the City of Mexico from conquistadors. Some chiefs spoke up and asked how he could make war in his uncle Montezuma’s city. Cacamatzin ordered these chiefs imprisoned. Thus before the attack started, unity fractured into argument over internal strife and broke up before it began. Cortes shortly had all the chief conspirators in chains and imprisoned.

Cortes dispatched Captain Diego de Ordas and many soldiers throughout the land to request tribute from petty chieftains in gold and jewels. Slowly these loads trickled in. One day Montezuma spoke to us and said.

MONTEZUMA: Malinche Cortes, I know that you took down the wall and saw my treasury. I gift all of it to you.

The conquistadors doffed their helmets at Montezuma’s generosity. Montezuma sent his peons to hand over all the treasure and gold and wealth that was in that plastered chamber. We spent three days pulling apart the valuable silver and gold embroidery and cutting it down into slabs and ingots that could be packed tight for flight.

One day Montezuma told Cortes he could not hold his people much longer and that on account of our lives we best be getting out of Mexico. Cortes replied that yes this was certainly true, but Montezuma would have to return with the conquistadors to Spain to see his new Lord, Emperor Don Carlos.

REFERENCES

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. - Sun Tzu

INTRODUCTION

In search of Mexican gold, the Conquistadors make land at Veracruz and begin their march inland.

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

7 Cholula to Amecameca

Cortes consults Montezuma’s Ambassadors

We set out from Cholula in formation. Soon we came to Yscalpan. There people from small towns brought us food and golden jewels. Cortes received them well. They told us Mexico City was full of Aztec warriors. They told us soon we would find a fork on the road. One leads to a town called Chalco. The other road to Tlamanalco. They said one road would be clear and the other road closed up with pines and trees cut down on it. They said we should go by the road which we were not meant to go. Cortes thanked them.

Later we arrived at the mountain ridge where we found roads just as the people of Huexotzingo described. Then Cortes summoned Montezuma’s Ambassadors, who were still with us, and asked them how it was that these roads were in this condition. Montezuma’s Ambassadors said this was done to steer us in the right direction. The clear road led to Chalco, the other road was full of hardship. Cortes at once ordered the blocked-up road to be cleared. When this was done we set out toward Amecameca.

We set camp that night at a place with lodges and inns. People in the area came to visit us bearing gifts of food and gold or jewels. Cortes explained the great power of our Lord, and how we had come to right wrongs and to stop robbery. Upon hearing this, the people lodged complaints about Montezuma, his tax collectors, who robbed them and carried off wives and daughters. Cortes comforted them and promised them liberation. A company of warriors attached to us from their parley.

7 Amecameca to Ayozingo

Cacamitzin meets Cortes

4 Aztec chiefs greeted as we broke camp. Montezuma sent them to us with presents of gold and cloth. Montezuma sent his regards and asked Cortes not to come any further. Cortes laughed and wondered how Montezuma could be so inconsistent, again embarrassing Montezuma’s ambassadors and messengers. Then Cortes asked them how he could turn around after coming so far, and to consider what would happen to them if they had turned back to Montezuma before delivering their message to him. The chiefs returned to Montezuma after hearing this. We marched on. That night we slept at a town called Ayotzingo.

When Montezuma heard Cortes reply he sent his nephew Cacamatzin, Lord of Texcoco, to welcome Cortes and the conquistadors. Our scouts came in and told us of their arrival in the morning. Rather than set out, Cortes had us await their rival in our quarters.

Lord of Texcoco, Cacamatzin came in on a litter worked in green feathers, with many silver borderings and rich stones set in bosses made of finest gold. 8 Chieftans bore his litter on their shoulders. They came to Cortes where the Chieftans assisted Cacamatzin to the ground. Cacamitzin delivered a warm welcome from Montezuma to Cortes, excusing his absence due to ill health. Cortes embraced Cacamitzin, then distributed gifts of blue glass beads to him and the Chiefs.

8 Ayozingo to Iztapalapa

We arrived at the Causeway of Cuitlahuac separating the lake of Chalco from the lake of Xochimilco. We saw many cities and villages built in the water and that straight and level causeway went straight towards Mexico. We were amazed at the rising towers and cues and buildings rising out of the water, all built of stone.

Many splendorous Caciques greeted us at Iztapalapa. Lords Culuacan and Cuitlahuac were friends of Montezuma. The palaces they lodged us in were incredible. Spacious and well-constructed of beautiful stonework and cedar wood and wood of other sweet, scented trees, with great rooms and courts, covered with awnings of cotton cloth.

8 Iztapalapa to Mexico City

Cortes meets Montezuma

We left early the next morning with the Caciques who greeted us. We proceeded along the Causeway. It was so crowded with people there was hardly room for them all coming and going from Mexico City. They wondered at us, having never seen horses or men like us. We gazed in wonder at the sights. The lake itself was crowded with canoes of Aztecs. The causeway there were many bridges at intervals and in front of us the great City of Mexico - and we did not even number 400 conquistadors! At that moment we didn’t care to worry about what we had been told, that upon entering Mexico their plan was to entrap and kill us all to a man.

We continued on toward the city. Montezuma sent great Caciques in advance to meet us. We halted for a rest. Cacamatzin, the Lord of Iztapalapa and the Lord of Tacuba and the Lord of Coyoacan, who were with us, left then to meet Montezuma, who was approaching in a rich litter accompanied by many lords.

Montezuma descended from his litter, those Caciques supporting him with their arms covered under a marvelous canopy of green feathers and much gold and embroidery with pearls and jade suspended from a bordering. Montezuma wore sandals with soles of gold and precious stones set in the straps. Cortes greeted Montezuma like a friend, wishing him good health, and presenting a necklace of glass stone Margarita strung on a cord of gold that he placed around Montezuma’s neck. Montezuma’s chiefs who bore and accompanied him did not even look Montezuma in the face. They seized Cortes by the arms when he went in for a Montezuma hug.

Montezuma bade us welcome us to enter the city. Then Montezuma escorted us to our accommodations and placed a necklace of gold around Cortes’ neck.

MONTEZUMA: My house is your house. Rest awhile.

Then Montezuma left for his palaces, which were not far away. We set to work, dividing our lodgings by companies. Placing artillery and establishing means to stay alert at all times. A sumptuous dinner was provided for us and we ate at once. We entered Mexico City on November 8, 1519.

8 Dinner with Montezuma

Montezuma invited us to dinner. Then he spoke at length of all he had heard of us and all we had done. The affairs at Champoton and Tabasco and against the Tlaxcalans. Cortes told Montezuma about our King, the Emperor Don Carlos. Montezuma listened. Then Montezuma told us he was at our service and would give us all that he possessed; that it must be true we are the ones his ancestors said would come from the sun to rule over these lands.

Then Montezuma presented gifts to all of us. He gave great golden jewels to our captains, trifles of gold, three loads of mantles of rich feather work to other conquistadors at the table. Montezuma ordered we be provisioned with food and women to make bread. Then Montezuma left.

Cortes witnesses to Montezuma

The next day Cortes decided to call on Montezuma at his palace. He took with him Pedro de Alvarado, Juan Velasquez de Leon, Diego de Ordas and Gonzalo de Sandoval and five of us soldiers. Montezuma greeted us in his palace. We sat on the couch and cushions he brought for us. Cortes told Montezuma that we were rested and had fulfilled our duty the King had given us. Then Cortes explained more men would come for their mission. And Cortes asked Montezuma to give up his Gods for the Cross. While the two discussed religion, Montezuma sent for more gold to be given to us.

Montezuma’s City

The Arsenal

Montezuma had two warehouses full of every sort of weapon, many richly adorned with gold and precious stones. There were shields great and small. The obsidian macahuitl, atlatls. Stone knives and lances longer than ours. Bows and arrows and double pointed lances and throwing sticks, slings and round stones, some artful shields and much quilted cotton armor, richly ornamented with colored feathers. There were casques or helmets made of wood and bone, decorated with feathers, other strange weapons.

The Great Market Tlatelolco

There were traders in cloth and cotton. Ropes. Thread. Tubers. There were skins of jaguars and other cats, otters, jackals, deer, badgers tanned. Some sold beans and vegetables. Some sold fowls, rabits, mallards, young dogs. There were fruit stalls. Women who sold cooked food, dough and tripe. They sold water jars and pottery of every sort. Honey and honey paste. Lumber, cradles, beams, blocks and benches. Tobacco and paper.

The Gardens

Montezuma had gardens of lowers and sweet-scented trees, and the arrangements of them and the walks, and ponds and tanks of fresh water piped from one end out the other; there were baths, and a variety of birds that nested in branches. There were many gardeners. Everything was in masonry and well cemented, baths and walks and closets, and apartments like summer houses where they danced and sang.

The Aviary

There was every kind of bird in the Aztec aviary, from the royal eagle and other smaller eagles, and many other birds of great size, down to tiny birds of colored plumage, and also the birds from which they take the rich plumage to use in their green feather works. The birds with these feathers are about the size of magpies. There are other birds which have feathers of five colors - green, red, white, yellow and blue. There were many parrots of different colors, beautifully marked ducks. The Aztec men and women looked after these birds cleaning and feeding them, plucking feathers and gathering eggs. A great tank of fresh water is in the breeding houses, where birds with long stilted legs with red tails, body and wings.

The Bestiary

In another stone house, the Aztecs keep many Idols of their fiercest gods, and with them live many kinds of carnivorous beasts of prey, jaguars and leopards, animals like wolves and foxes and jackals, and all these animals they feed with flesh. They feed them deer, fowls, dogs and bodies of men they sacrifice after cannibalizing the limbs. They also have in this cursed house many vipers and poisonous rattlesnakes. These snakes are kept in jars and pottery vessels with many feathers.

The Huichilobos Temple

We conquistadors stood looking out from that cursed temple of the Aztec Gods and could see the three Causeways that led into the city, the bridges on the three causeways, canoes on the water hauling supplies and merchandise, and other cities elsewhere in the lake in the distance. The city was built in the water, it was impossible without bridge or canoe to pass from house to house. Cues and oratories like towers and fortresses in gleaming white.

We entered the temple and saw. On each altar were two figures like giants with tall bodies and very fat. One was Huichilobos their God of War; it had a broad face and monstrous and terrible eyes. His body was covered in precious stones and gold and pearls stuck on with a paste. The body was girdled by great snakes of gold and precious stone. In one hand he held a bow and arrow. A small idol nearby was a page with a short lance and shield of gold and stones. There were braziers with opal incense. The walls were stained black with blood.

The Cue where the Aztec princes were buried had many Idols. It had doorways carved with hellish figures, and a Cue that was full of skulls and bones arranged in order. There were priests in long robes of black cloth and hoods that minded these places with incense and altars.

Montezuma’s Capture

We were so offended we insisted at once to race a cross and build a church. Montezuma would not let us desecrate his temples, but he allowed us to build a mission near our quarters. This was done in two days. While working, we noticed a place in the walls where a door had been plastered over and burnished. When it was opened, Cortes and the Captains went in first. They saw a number of jewels and slabs and plates of gold and stones and other riches. Then we sealed the door back up and left it as we found it.

Some of conferenced with Cortes in the church then to discuss our options. From our spies we knew Montezuma had been advised by his God Huichilobos to allow us to enter the city so as to kill us. How could the Tlaxcalans come to our aid with the water if they attacked us? How can we get the gold we found? The Captains Juan Velasquez de Leon, Diego de Ordas, Gonzalo de Sandoval and Pedro de Alvarado advised that we seize Montezuma rather than wait for Montezuma to make his move. Cortes noted that several of Montezuma’s servants had turned insolent in the past few days. We resolved then to seize Montezuma’s person the next day.

The next morning we got news from Villa Rica that Juan de Escalante and six soldiers had been killed by Aztec soldiers, along with many Totonac warriors in his company.

Cortes took captains Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de Sandoval, Juan Velasquez de Leon, Francisco de Lugo and Alonzo de Avila, me and our interpreters Dona Marina and Aguilar to seize Montezuma. Montezuma was not alarmed by our arms as we bore them all the time. When Cortes entered Montezuma’s palace he made his usual greeting. Then Cortes asked why Montezuma had his warriors attack his soldiers on the coast.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: Now you must come with us at once without raising any disturbance. If you cry out you will be killed.

LORD MONTEZUMA: I have a son and two daughters, take them as hostages in my stead.

JUAN VELASQUEZ: We should kill this wretch now.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: I’m afraid not, Montezuma. It must be you.

LORD MONTEZUMA: What will they chieftans say of me when they see me captive?

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: Tell them you are going to stay with us willingly. Say that’s what Huichilobos told you to do.

We escorted Montezuma from his palace to our quarters and placed him under armed guard. Soon word got out that Montezuma was with us. All the principal chieftans and nephews came to speak to Montezuma. They asked if he wanted them to attack us. Montezuma laughed and assured them he was delighted to join us of his own free will.

Cortes had Montezuma sent for the chief Quetzalpopoca that killed Juan de Escalante on the coast. They confessed to have been acting on Montezuma’s orders. Montezuma denied his involvement. Cortes sentenced Quetzalpopoca to be burned at the stake in front of Montezuma. Cortes clapped Montezuma in irons then. Montezuma roared like a lion.

After the warrior was burnt, Cortes went to Montezuma’s apartment. Cortes took off Montezuma’s fetters. Then Cortes spoke sweetly and kindly - and told Montezuma he was free to return to his palace. Montezuma broke down in tears. If he left, fighting would commence in an instant and ruin his city. If he stayed, the priests might soon void his rule and elect another Prince in his place. To forestall this event, Montezuma had been telling his priests that Huichilobos told him to remain a prisoner of the conquistadors.

REFERENCES

The modern adaptations of Conquistador life as recorded by Bernal Diaz and Pedro de Cieza fall on https://crackpot.substack.com/t/incadinca

“Clamor in the East, Attack in the West. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.” - Sun Tzu

6 Cholula

We stayed in Tlaxcala for 17 days. There we heard much about Montezuma’s wealth and the discussion question came up, should we push on to Mexico City? Some thought this was too rash an idea. That we should not enter such a strong city. Others argued for it, mad with goal. Cortes waited as we argued back and forth. Then Pedro de Alvarado asked, ‘What do you think, Captain Cortes’. Captain Cortes shrugged. Then Cortes replied that there was no other course open to us. He explained that we had constantly asserted and proclaimed our desire to see Montezuma himself. This has cowed and impressed our hosts. To back out now would lose their respect and risk their wrath.

When Mace Escasi and Xicotenga saw we were leaving for Mexico, their spirits sank. They advised Cortes to stay away from Cholula and go through Huexotzingo. Cholula was a large town, with stone towers, tall pyramids and situated on a beautiful plain. We intended to go. Captain Cortes sent runners ahead to Cholula, bearing the message that we were on our way. That Cortes wondered why they had not come to pay their respect to the Conquistadors like the other towns had done. Cortes requested the caciques and priests to welcome them, or he would take their indifference for ill will.

Four of Montezuma’s ambassadors arrived in Tlaxcala right before we set to depart for Cholula. Cortes received them.

AZTEC AMBASSADOR: Montezuma sends his regards, Malinche Cortes. But he wonders how you can stay so long among wicked people, the traitors and thieves of Tlaxcala? Are you not put off by their ill-bred manners and bad breath? Montezuma invites you to come at once to his city as guests.

Captain Cortes thanked the ambassadors and promised to come soon to Mexico. Then Cortes said to us, without translators.

CAPTAIN HERNAN CORTES: Montezuma wants us to come, now we must stay a bit.

The Cholula’s sent four commoners in response to Cortes summon, who arrived just then. Cortes scolded them that this was unacceptable and asked them to send important men, not commoners. The Cholula messengers explained that the Tlaxcalan’s were their enemies, and they feared for their lives to come here. At this Cortes insisted we go to visit them in Cholula. As there was no sensible argument against this, the invitation was allowed. The Tlaxcalans offered to send 10,000 of their warriors with Cortes. Cortes thought it over and replied that it would not make sense to bring an army if we were going as friends and allies. So the Tlaxcalans sent 1000 warriors as an escorting force. Montezuma’s ambassadors witnessed all this and grew visibly distressed. The conquistadors were building alliances in every territory and knocking on Mexico’s door.

Montezuma’s Gifts to Cortes

A mask worked in a mosaic of turquoise; a double twisted snake worked into the same stones of the nose, the tail parted from the head and the head with part of the body went above one of the eyes so that it formed an eyebrow and the tail curled up to form the other eyebrow. This mask was decked with a great and lofty crown, full of rich feathers, long and beautiful. (the above is AI generated from the description - where is the real thing? this mask once resided at the British Museum in American Antiquities - duckduckgo ‘British museum Montezuma’s masks’ image search yields no result that matches the description. Hmm.)

We marched onto Cholula in a day then camped along a river a short distance from the city. The Cholula Caciques sent chieftans to welcome us with poultry and maize bread that night. In the morning the priests and Caciques and townspeople of Cholula greeted us. The priests with their braziers of burning coals and incense fumigated us. When the Cholulans recognized the Tlaxcalans we brought, they refused entry for them to the city. Cortes agreed and asked them to stay in the fields outside.

Then Cortes made a speech where he asked the Cholulans to give up their Idos, human sacrifice, cannibalism. They replied in disbelief that we had hardly entered the country and were already asking them to change their beliefs. After this we all entered the city, which was a beehive of excitement and crowded streets of people coming to see us and the horses.

Montezuma’s ambassadors were still with us in Cholula. Montezuma sent word to them to tell the Cholulans that an Aztec army of 20,000 men were on their way to attack us. Montezuma wanted 20 of us captured alive and brought to Mexico for sacrifice. Montezuma sent many presents as well of jewels, cloths and a golden drum.

Montezuma’s warriors were stationed in ranches and rocky thickets outside of Cholula and within houses. For two days they fed us well. On the third day they stopped and began laughing at us from a distance. Cortes told Montezuma’s ambassadors to order the Caciques to bring more food, but they just brought firewood and water. The old men said there was no more maize.

Just then more of Montezuma’s ambassadors. They told Cortes that they were no longer welcome to come to Mexico City, there was nothing there for them to eat. Cortes yawned and remarked with sarcastic wonder at Montezuma’s capricious vacillating, likening Montezuma’s behavior to a woman in love. One day he invites us, the next day he sends us away. Then Cortes told the ambassadors to stay because he intended to leave for Mexico City the next day. He bribed them with beads so they agreed to spend a night and leave with us.

Cortes then dressed down the Caciques and chieftains of Cholula for not giving them anything to eat, and said if they were no longer welcome they would leave the next day for Mexico and speak to Montezuma. Cortes asked them to provide carriers and transport for them at once. At this they admitted Montezuma had sent word not to feed them.

While this conversation took place, three Cempoala warriors with us came and told Cortes about pits with spikes they found in the streets covered over with wood and earth - meant for our horses to fall into. There were also breastworks of adobe and thick timbers in the streets. Tlaxcalan warriors came in to tell Cortes to expect an attack that night and that the Cholulas made a sacrifice the previous night to curry favor in an attack on the conquistadors.

Under the pretenses of readying our baggage, we spent the day fortifying defenses and maintaining vigilant watch outside our quarters in the city. No surprise attack was possible. That night we conquistadors discussed our options. Some favored an attack first in the town. Hit the Cholulans in their homes and streets. That if we left without punishing their treachery, we would meet more of the same in the next town. Cortes agreed. To Montezuma’s Ambassadors we should tell them how the Chululans tried to blame Montezuma for their treachery. The Ambassadors denied knowing anything, but were placed under our guard and could not leave.

An old woman of the town came to Dona Maria that night and told her of the plot to kill us all. “Come with me,” she said. Dona Maria tricked her by agreeing to leave us but brought her before Cortes instead to tell him what she knew of the plot.

When dawn broke, the Caciques and priests brought in the warriors, laughing as though we were already bound and staked. We were prepared. The soldiers with swords and shields stationed themselves at the gate of court. Captain Cortes was mounted on horseback. Cortes addressed the Caciques, asking them why they wished to do us harm when we had been friends. Why had they been raising battlements and breastworks in the town? Why had they withdrawn the women and children? They put the blame on Montezuma’s orders. With the firing of a musket as signal, we struck. Our fighting was too much and the Tlaxcalan allies we brought descended upon the city of Cholula, plundering and taking prisoners. After two days of this, the Caciques made peace with Cortes. Cortes scolded them and summoned Montezuma’s ambassadors. After threatening to destroy the city and kill them, he pardoned them. Then Cortes asked the Tlaxcalans to return their booty and release prisoners. After restoring order, Cortes asked them to destroy their Idols and erect a cross. This they did. When Montezuma’s troops stationed in the ravines outside Cholula learned what happened, they returned to Mexico and told Montezuma what happened.

Before we left Cholula we found prisons of thick wooden beams, full of Indian boys being fattened for sacrifice and to be eaten. We broke open all these prisons. Cortes ordered the prisoners return to their native countries.

After 14 days in Cholula, we had nothing more to do. The city was peopled. The Idols cast down. We established friendship between Tlaxcala and Cholula, where they were once enemies. Montezuma continued sending his spies to our camp. We sent word to Montezuma that we were on a mission from God and our King. We crossed many seas and lands to see him. We said we believed the Cholulans tried to blame their treachery on him. When Montezuma heard this, he sent ambassadors bearing gifts of gold and jewels. At this we set out for Mexico City from Cholula, though many of our Cempoala allies refused to come any closer than Cholula and split from our company.

REFERENCES