Battle of Pima Butte, Arizona – Legends of America
Alright, buckle up for a wild tale from the Arizona desert! We’re talking about the Battle of Pima Butte, also known as the Battle of Maricopa Wells. This showdown went down on September 1, 1857, near a place called Maricopa Wells, right by the Estrella Mountains. Now, this wasn’t just any old skirmish; it’s considered one of the biggest, baddest battles in Arizona history.
Imagine this: warriors from a whole bunch of tribes – the Yuma, Mojave, Apache, and Yavapai – all ganging up to attack a Maricopa village named Secate. But the Maricopa people, along with their Pima buddies, weren’t about to go down without a fight. They put up one heck of a defense. What makes this battle extra special? Well, it was the last major face-off involving the Yuma and the very last significant battle fought solely between Native American tribes in North America. Talk about a history-maker!
Feuding for Centuries
The Yuma and Maricopa? They’d been beefing for ages – we’re talking hundreds of years! Apparently, they’d often gather their warriors at the top of Berdache Mountain just to hurl insults at each other before throwing down. Classic rivalry stuff.
Chief Francisco’s Big Mistake
Now, fast forward to August 1857. A Yuma Chief named Francisco was itching to prove himself, having just gotten the top job. So, he rounds up about 300 warriors from the Yuma, Apache, Yavapai, and Mojave tribes, and they march nearly 160 miles over eight days to go after the Maricopa. Talk about dedication to a grudge!
They finally arrive near Secate on August 31, 1857, probably tired, hungry, and definitely not in the best mood. They decided to attack the next day. The first thing these guys did? They ambushed a group of Maricopa women who were out gathering mesquite beans. Seriously? That’s cold.
But here’s where it gets even worse. They spared one of the women and forced her to lead them to her brother’s place. Turns out, her brother was a well-known warrior. After leading them to his home, they killed her. Her brother managed to escape, but only because he was quick and they were still exhausted from the long march.
Burning Villages and Desperate Calls
After that, Francisco and his crew stormed the Maricopa village and started setting things on fire. The women and children ran for cover to Pima Butte, which was just south of the village. Meanwhile, the Maricopa warriors got their act together and sent out a distress call to the nearby Pima villages. Time for backup!
Here’s where Chief Francisco makes a fatal mistake. After the initial attack, the Apache, Yavapai, and most of the Mohave decided to leave the village. However, Francisco and his men stayed behind to rest and grab a bite to eat in the burning village.
The Tables Turn
Before long, the Maricopa and Pima warriors showed up, some on horseback, and surrounded the attackers. The Yuma and Mohave were now seriously outnumbered. And things went south quickly.
Most of the Yuma and Mohave warriors were killed, including Chief Francisco himself. The bodies were left where they fell – we’re talking about an estimated 160 people. Yikes!
News Travels Fast (But Not Always Accurately)
Of course, news of the battle spread like wildfire. But back in the day, getting the story straight wasn’t always easy. The San Diego Herald newspaper mistakenly reported that it was a three-way fight between the Pima, Yuma, and Maricopa, all against each other. Talk about a confused headline!
On the other hand, the Daily Alta California got closer to the truth, reporting that the battle was:
"…seldom equaled in Indian warfare. It is reported that 150 to 160 allied Indians, being nearly quite the entire party, were left dead in the field."
A later article in the San Diego Herald said:
"…from all accounts, it would appear that this battle, in which the Maricopa and their allies, the Pima, so bravely defended their homes, destroying nearly the whole force that came into battle against them, is the largest Indian fight in this region for years."
Courage and Devastation
In the end, the Maricopa showed incredible courage, defending their homes and wiping out almost the entire attacking force. The Yavapai tribe considered this to be the most devastating massacre in their history. Newspapers and army reports at the time described it as one of the most "terrible" battles in Apache history.
So, there you have it – the Battle of Pima Butte, a clash of tribes, a tale of revenge, and a pivotal moment in Arizona’s history. Not bad for a day’s work in the desert!