Buckshot Robert’s Last Stand
April 4, 1878, witnessed an event that etched itself into the annals of the American West – a dramatic and improbable gunfight. In the unfolding saga of the Lincoln County War, a lone figure faced off against a formidable group of eight seasoned gunmen. The clash, immortalized as the Battle of Blazer’s Mill, stands as a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring allure of frontier legends.
Andrew L. Roberts, a man shrouded in the mists of the past, remains an enigma. Details about his early life and origins are scarce, fueling the mystique that surrounds him. Whispers from Texas suggest he once went by the name Bill Williams, serving as a Texas Ranger. His life story, pieced together from fragmented accounts, paints a picture of a man who lived a life of adventure and conflict. He supposedly served the Union Army during the Civil War, rising to the rank of sergeant before his discharge. Some tales claim he rode alongside the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, hunting bison on the vast plains. Regardless of the truth behind these claims, one thing is certain: Roberts possessed a fierce reputation as an Indian fighter, a testament to his skills in the unforgiving landscape of the Old West.
The moniker "Buckshot" Roberts became synonymous with the man after a fateful encounter left him with a severe injury. A load of buckshot, lodged in his right arm, permanently impaired his ability to raise his rifle above his hip. While this would have crippled most men, Roberts adapted, honing his accuracy and developing a deadly proficiency in hip-shooting. The handicap did little to diminish his reputation as a dangerous and formidable opponent.
As the simmering tensions of the Lincoln County War began to boil over in the mid-1870s, Roberts found himself residing in the Ruidoso Valley, near the town of Lincoln, New Mexico. He operated a small ranch, eking out a living in the harsh and unforgiving landscape. The Lincoln County War was primarily a conflict between two factions vying for economic and political control of the region. On one side stood the established Dolan-Murphy faction, which had long monopolized the county’s trade. On the other side were the "upstarts," Alexander McSween and John Tunstall, who sought to challenge the Dolan-Murphy’s dominance, sparking a bitter and violent feud.
Due to his past association with James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy, Roberts was often associated with their faction. However, by all accounts, Roberts was a solitary man, preferring his own company and avoiding conflict whenever possible. He had seen enough fighting in his life and had no desire to involve himself in the power struggles that were consuming Lincoln County. When pressed to choose a side, he reportedly declared his intention to remain neutral, stating that he would not fight another man’s battle.
However, the murder of John Tunstall by the Dolan-Murphy faction on February 18, 1878, irrevocably altered Roberts’ position. Despite his neutrality, he was immediately suspected of being involved in the assassination. A warrant was issued for his arrest, forcing Roberts to take action. He decided to sell his ranch and leave the area, hoping to escape the escalating violence. While staying at a friend’s home near Blazer’s Mill, he finalized the sale of his property and eagerly awaited the arrival of his payment.
Meanwhile, Constable Dick Brewer, a close friend of Tunstall, formed a posse known as the Regulators. Their mission was to hunt down Tunstall’s killers and bring them to justice. The Regulators, a mix of cowboys, ranchers, and gunmen, became a formidable force in Lincoln County, further escalating the conflict.
Roberts’ payment was scheduled to be delivered to Blazer’s Mill, a bustling hub of activity in the region. The mill served as a sawmill, a trading post, and a post office, making it a central location for the surrounding community. Eager to receive his money and leave Lincoln County behind, Roberts frequently checked at the mill to see if the payment had arrived. On April 4, 1878, he spotted a buckboard heading toward the mill and immediately set out, hoping that it carried his long-awaited check. Little did he know that the Regulators were already at the mill, their horses discreetly hitched around back. This fateful encounter set the stage for one of the most legendary gunfights in the history of the Old West.
The next few minutes would be etched in the history of the Old West as a testament to one man’s grit and determination against overwhelming odds. Buckshot Robert’s Last Stand was about to begin.
Blazer’s Mill was more than just a sawmill; it was a vital center of commerce and communication in the remote Tularosa Valley. In addition to the mill itself, the complex included a post office, a restaurant, and various other buildings that catered to the needs of the local population. On that fateful day, the Regulators, fresh from their recent killing of Sheriff William Brady just three days prior, were taking a meal in one of the nearby buildings. The group included Dick Brewer, Frank and George Coe, John Middleton, Doc Scurlock, Charles Bowdre, Henry Brown, Frank MacNab, and the notorious Billy the Kid.
As the Regulators casually ate their meal, Frank Coe spotted Roberts entering the mill. Recognizing the man, Coe approached him, attempting to persuade him to surrender. However, Roberts, fearing that he would be summarily executed by the vengeful Regulators, refused to comply. A tense standoff ensued, with both men refusing to back down.
Dick Brewer, the leader of the Regulators, grew impatient with the stalemate. Determined to capture Roberts, he ordered more men to surround the mill and take him by force. The situation quickly escalated as the armed Regulators converged on the building.
Seeing the armed men approaching, Roberts knew that his life was in imminent danger. Reacting instinctively, he grabbed his rifle and opened fire, striking Charlie Bowdre’s belt buckle and knocking the wind out of him. Bowdre, in turn, managed to hit Roberts in the abdomen. Despite the severe wound, Roberts continued to fight, retreating to the doorway of the mill while unleashing a barrage of gunfire. His shots struck John Middleton in the chest, grazed Doc Scurlock’s pistol, and hit George Coe in the right hand, severing his thumb and trigger finger. One bullet even grazed Billy the Kid’s arm.
With his rifle finally empty, Roberts was momentarily vulnerable. Billy the Kid seized the opportunity and rushed toward the wounded man, only to be met with the barrel of Roberts’ rifle, which knocked him senseless.
Despite his wounds and the overwhelming odds, Roberts managed to barricade himself inside the mill. He reloaded his rifle and prepared to continue his defense. The Regulators, taken aback by the ferocity of Roberts’ resistance, momentarily halted their assault. They tended to their wounded and attempted to negotiate with Roberts, hoping to convince him to surrender.
Dick Brewer, frustrated by his men’s inability to subdue the lone gunman, decided to take matters into his own hands. He circled to the back of the mill and opened fire. Roberts returned fire, hitting Brewer in the eye and killing him instantly.
Brewer’s death had a profound impact on the Regulators. Demoralized and shaken by the loss of their leader, they abandoned their pursuit of Roberts. The remaining Regulators mounted their horses and retreated from the mill, leaving Roberts alone inside.
Still armed and wounded, Roberts remained inside the mill until a few local residents, waving a white flag, cautiously approached him. They were accompanied by a doctor, who offered to treat Roberts’ wounds. Although the doctor tended to his injury, there was little he could do to save him. Roberts suffered in agony for another 36 hours before finally succumbing to his wounds. He and Dick Brewer were buried side by side at the small Blazer Cemetery in Mescalero, New Mexico.
The Battle of Blazer’s Mill, particularly Buckshot Robert’s Last Stand, became a legendary tale of courage and defiance in the face of impossible odds. When Billy the Kid was later asked about the gunfight, he reportedly responded: "Yes sir, he licked our crowd to a finish."
Buckshot Robert’s Last Stand remains a poignant reminder of the violence and lawlessness that characterized the Old West. It also underscores the courage and resilience of individuals who were willing to stand their ground, even when faced with overwhelming adversity. The story of Buckshot Robert’s Last Stand continues to captivate audiences and inspire awe for the bravery and skill of those who lived and died in the Wild West.