Avenging Victorio: The Apache Insurgency in New Mexico, 1881

By Dave DeWitt

Book Overview

A rag-tag group of Apache warriors, led by an elderly man in his late seventies, took on the U.S. Army's Ninth Cavalry in revenge for the death of the great Apache war chief Victorio. Using guerilla... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890689262
• ISBN13: 9781890689261
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Rio Grande Books
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Eye opening novel of Apache insurgency in 1881

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/07) Dave DeWitt's "Avenging Victorio" is a simply splendid account of Apache insurgency in New Mexico in 1881. Although written as a novel, and therefore falling into the category of fiction, it gives the impression of standing firmly on its foundation of extensive research and extraordinary sensibility of the author for a quite sensitive situation. After the death of one of the great Apache chiefs, Victorio, the U.S. Army believes the Apaches to be completely defeated. The event is even celebrated under the thin guise of a Governor's Christmas party, where the official hostess is no other than Evelyn Hatch, wife of Colonel Edward T. Hatch, former General in the great Civil War. The settlers in the New Mexico Territory expected the danger to be over, convinced that there is nobody strong enough to organize the Apaches again. Little did they know.... Nana, the 74-year-old war chief, takes on the task of avenging Victorio and, with his rag-tag group of warriors, sweeps through New Mexico in a series of guerilla warfare raids, killing civilians and evading the Cavalry as well as the legendary Buffalo Soldiers. The insurgency is a success, the battle is won - but we all know that the war was lost as far as the Indians were concerned. Dave DeWitt created engaging and believable characters on both sides of the conflict, showing their motivation and their beliefs. The parts of the book that truly surprised me and that turned out to be my favorites are those that deal with the customs and traditional ways of the Apaches. There are tales and legends and vivid descriptions of bathing and fighting and dancing...and courting and dreams... and even a hidden treasure. So the book that I expected to be just a historical novel about the early days of New Mexico turned into a well-rounded volume about fighters on both sides of the encounter as well as a very eye-opening read about the Apache culture and customs. I also greatly enjoyed the 16 photographs which wonderfully illustrated both the setting and the participants in this epic confrontation. Dave DeWitt's "Avenging Victorio" is an enthralling book, which grabs you quickly and does not let go. If you are like me, your only disappointment will be that it ends too quickly.

Apache Retaliation

"Avenging Victorio" is a dramatic moving story of an enslaved people whose way of life was completely destroyed and changed forever. A rabble band of Apache warriors led by an elderly man rose up against the U. S. Army Ninth Cavalry to revenge the death of the highly esteemed war chief Victorio. Using guerilla warfare, armed with revolvers or rifles, as well as poisoned arrows which became missiles of death, the Apaches attacked in surprise raids against the Blue Coats of the white man's army. They were also guilty of massacring innocent men, women, and children. The Apache's took advantage of the US and Mexico border escaping to Mexico to evade the American army stationed in the territory of New Mexico. After Victorio's return to Mexico, and subsequent death, Colonel Edward Hatch, commander of the Military District of New Mexico was faced with a new dilemma. "...his problems were equally divided between the Apache renegades, the politicians, his superior officers, and the press." It became obvious his only solution was to capture or kill the Apache leader. The elderly Apache leader, Nana, expressed his philosophy this way: "Every struggle whether it is won or lost strengthens us for the next one to come. Sometimes, as we have seen from Victorio's death, we need to be defeated so that we may gain the strength and courage necessary to be victorious again. Our war of vengeance has proven this to be true." Colonel Hatch describes the Apache presence this way, "Fighting the Apaches is not like fighting the Mexicans or the Confederates...It's more like fighting ghosts. They are an enemy you cannot see, cannot find, and cannot kill. Yet they can strike at you when you least expect it and then disappear into the landscape." This is historical fiction at its best. I especially appreciated DeWitt's detail in describing the traditions, customs, and celebrations of the Apache Indians. I was also intrigued with De Witt's insight into the prayers, songs, and ceremonial dances. His depiction of their communication with the supernatural was powerful. The careful attention to details, comprehensive research and expressive reporting added greatly to the enjoyment of this action packed historical novel of the early 1880s. This is a book for every American citizen to read and pass along to their offspring. The story is a reminder of the high price paid by the frontiersman and settlers of the West. It is also a reminder of the high price paid by the American Indian in their attempt to maintain their land, culture and way of life. Brilliantly written. this is a story that will haunt the reader long after the cover is closed on the last chapter.