Rebellion is avoided and the fort moves westward

Posted Wednesday, December 31, 2014 1:00 pm

Photo courtesy John M. Motter
Pagosa residents during the 1890s would have seen this advertisement in the Pagosa Springs News, Pagosa Springs’ first newspaper. The stage route connected Pagosa Springs with the railroad in Amargo, N.M.[/caption]

A few days after the 1879 Meeker Massacre, troops commanded by Gen. Hatch made a hurried march from New Mexico and occupied Animas City Oct. 8.

Col. George P. Buell of the 15th Infantry took command of the 800 or so troops there. The rush of large numbers of troops into southwest Colorado was intended to discourage Ute Indians in the area from following their northern brothers’ example by revolting against the whites. In January of 1880, except for companies of the 15th Infantry, which returned to Pagosa Springs, the bulk of the troops returned to Santa Fe.

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