Magazine Article Review: Villasur: How a Spanish-Indian Battle in Nebraska Changed American History

 Villasur: How a Spanish-Indian Battle in Nebraska Changed American History, by Ron Soodalter, Nebraska Life, March/April 2025, pp 30-35.

The history may have been much different if the Spanish had been more successful in the foray to the north in 1720.  With the goal of discovering what the French were doing in the midwest, Lieutenant General Pedro de Villasur headed a large contingent north from Santa Fe.  He had with him 45 elite Spanish soldier, 60 Pueblo Indians, José Navarro a seasoned scout, a Jesuit priest, and a dozen Apache guides.  At this time possession of the midwest was hotly contested between the Spanish and French.  According to the Pawnee, the French were not after their land, but had been a trading partner for the last 100 years.  The Spanish for their part had a more brutal and forceful approach to relationship0s with Native Americans.

The expedition reached the Platte River at ab out the location of Grand Island.  They attempted negotiations with the Indians through a Pawnee slave.  As more and more Native Americans arrived, Pawnee and Otoe they felt more and more offended by the Spanish.  As the Spanish felt more and more hostility towards them, they withdrew to the confluence of the Loup and Platte rivers.  This however was an ideal spot for ambush because of the high grass and good cover.  

They attacked in the morning.  Villasur died almost imnediately.  Within 15 minutes most of the elite Spanish troops had perished.  A few of the Pueblo were killed, but they had a separate camp and missed the brunt of the attack.  The priest and Jose Navarro were both dead.  None of the Apache were killed.

This excursion marks the farthest north the Spanish advanced in the midwest.  However it lead to discouragement in New Mexico as no further such forays were attempted.

In the history museum in Lincoln there is a mural, copied from a mural drawn in Santa Fe on leather which depicts the battle.  The original is in the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe.  There is also a Pawnee song which remembers te battle.

History sometimes is so fragile and random.  Things would have been different with a different result.  Perhaps the Louisiana Purchase would have had a different seller.

Native American Biography: Po'pay, Tewa Religious Leader, Pueblo Revolt

 The DSpanish began to rule over th Pueblo people in 1598.  Despite there being as many as 80,000 Publo Indians, their independent rule, each town had its own rule, they could not counter the Spanish weapons and coordination.  The Spanish rule was tyrannical, and they insisted that the Pueblo not practice their traditional ways.  In 1675 Po'pay was one of 47 Pueblo people who were arrested for witchcraft for practicing their traditional ways.  Three were executed, one committed suicide.  He had the others beaten and they were set to be sold as slaves.  70 Pueblo warriors showed up at the governor's house and demanded their release.  The governor complied fearing a revolt.  He already was having problems with Apache and Navajo.  

Po'pay had a dynamic personality and commanded respect.  He retired to Taos where he began planning a revolt.  In the past coordination was an issue.  They decided on a particular day and had runners visit each community.  They were not allowed horses.  They used a rope with knots to count the days to th revolt.  When the Spanish discovered their plans, they again sent runners to move the timing forward two days.  In that way they maintained the element of surprise.  With all the communities rising up together they were able to defeat the Spanish.  This is the first time and indigenous people was able to throw off the yolk of a foreign overlord.  

The revolt cost many livees on both sides.  Many Catholic priests were killed.  The Spanish were forced to go south.  The Pueble were able to practice the traditions.  The Pueblo and Spanish then became allies against the Navajo, Apache, Ute and Comanche.  The priests allowed the practice of Pueblo ways as long as they showed the outward signs of practicing Catholicism.  

There is a statue of Po'pay in the capitol rotunda in Washington.  The statue shows Po'pay with a scarred back back from the beating and holding a knotted rope.