TRAIL OF THE BURNED PEACH TREES
(Navajo - 1864)
In the summer of 1863, the Navajos were ordered to surrender themselves to Fort Sumner. Instead, the Navajos, who were hunted like animals retreated to the deep canons of CaÀ9Àon de Chelly.
On January 6, 1864, Kit Carson led four hundred men to CaÀ9Àon de Chelly where he destroyed two thousand peach trees planted in the canons, depriving the Navajos of even the bark for food.
Commonly called "The Long Walk," during March and April of that year, over eight thousand ill and starving Navajos left the canons for captivity. Frank Waters called them "Navajo Israelites held in bondage in a Mescalero Egypt. How long, Lord, how long."
Here are fifty four women ad children leaving CaÀ9Àon de Chelly -- a trail of burned peach trees. There is more to be said; however, let the words dwell in the heart of each who considers this tragedy
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