Smith, James

From SWC Oral History Collection
Jump to navigation Jump to search

James Smith, a Texas Tech graduate student, discusses his thesis research relating to Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie’s expedition against Arizona Apaches in the fall of 1881. Note: At the end of Smith’s lecture on Tape 2, Side 1, a partial lecture about Osage Indians was recorded but not abstracted.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: James Smith

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: None Given

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Westerners

Length: 1 hour


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Introduction by Ernest Wallace, Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie’s expedition, Colorado (Summer 1881), San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona, Profiteering Indian Agent, J. C. Tippany, Medicine Man "Prophet", Carr massacre (August 30, 1881), Battle inaccurately reported (September 4, 1881), Seige at Fort Apache, Mackenzie sent to Fort Apache by Gen. William T. Sherman, Jurisdiction violations, Assumes field command, Protocol conflicts with local commander Wilcox, Campaign against rebel Apaches, Political infighting.

Tape 1, Side 2: Col. Mackenzie’s expedition (continued), Mackenzie pursued Apaches, Apaches escaped, Mackenzie corresponded with Tippany, Speculation on implication, Mackenzie returned to New Mexico (Oct. 17, 1881), Analysis, Mackenzie did not punish Apaches, Sherman ignored protocol, Wilcox should have yielded, Questions, Prophet killed early, Seventy-four renegade Apaches led 1882 uprising, Carr obeyed Mackenzie, not Wilcox, Mackenzie defeated Indians without killing many, Tippany’s corruption, Mackenzie’s return to New Mexico, Spy to Mexico (November 19, 1881), Rumors of Apache raid (January 1882), Settled Apaches joined renegades (April 1881).

Tape 2, Side 1: Questions (continued), Mackenzie’s return to New Mexico (continued), Forsythe intercepts Apaches, McDonald ambushed, [Lecture interrupted].

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: July 1881-April 1882

Bulk Dates: September-October 1881


Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.