Book Review - Avenging Victorio by Dave DeWitt
Apache Revenge and Retaliation "Avenging Victorio", dramatic and moving, is the story of an enslaved people whose way of life was completely shattered and altered forever.
The U.
S.
Army Ninth Cavalry were faced with a rabble band of Apache warriors led by an elderly man who rose up against them to revenge the death of their highly esteemed war chief Victorio.
By means of guerrilla warfare, armed with poisoned arrows which became missiles of death, as well as revolvers or rifles, the Apaches attacked in surprise raids against the Blue Coats of the white man's army.
They would also massacre innocent men, women, and children.
The Apache's would attack and then flee to the US and Mexico border to escape into Mexico in order to evade the American army stationed in the territory of New Mexico.
After Victorio's return to Mexico, and his subsequent death, Colonel Edward Hatch, commander of the Military District of New Mexico was faced with a new dilemma.
"...
his problems were equally divided between the Apache renegades, the politicians, his superior officers, and the press.
" He was left with only solution: to capture or kill the Apache leader.
Nana, the elderly Apache leader, expressed his philosophy this way: "Every struggle whether it is won or lost strengthens us for the next one to come.
Sometimes, as we have seen from Victorio's death, we need to be defeated so that we may gain the strength and courage necessary to be victorious again.
Our war of vengeance has proven this to be true.
" Colonel Hatch described his frustration, "Fighting the Apaches is not like fighting the Mexicans or the Confederates...
It's more like fighting ghosts.
They are an enemy you cannot see, cannot find, and cannot kill.
Yet they can strike at you when you least expect it and then disappear into the landscape.
" "Avenging Victorio" is historical fiction at its best.
I was intrigued by DeWitt's detail in describing the traditions, customs, and celebrations of the Apache Indians.
I was also captivated with De Witt's insight into the prayers, songs, and ceremonial dances.
His interpretation of their communication with the supernatural was powerful.
The careful attention to details, his comprehensive research and the expressive reporting added greatly to the enjoyment of this action packed historical novel of the early 1880s.
Every citizen of New Mexico should find this an important book to read and to pass along to their children.
The story is a reminder of the price paid by the early frontiersman and settlers of the West.
It is also a reminder of the cost to the American Indian in their attempt to maintain their land, culture and way of life.
Brilliantly written, this is a story that will haunt the reader long after closing the cover on the last chapter.
As reviewed for Midwest Book Reviews
The U.
S.
Army Ninth Cavalry were faced with a rabble band of Apache warriors led by an elderly man who rose up against them to revenge the death of their highly esteemed war chief Victorio.
By means of guerrilla warfare, armed with poisoned arrows which became missiles of death, as well as revolvers or rifles, the Apaches attacked in surprise raids against the Blue Coats of the white man's army.
They would also massacre innocent men, women, and children.
The Apache's would attack and then flee to the US and Mexico border to escape into Mexico in order to evade the American army stationed in the territory of New Mexico.
After Victorio's return to Mexico, and his subsequent death, Colonel Edward Hatch, commander of the Military District of New Mexico was faced with a new dilemma.
"...
his problems were equally divided between the Apache renegades, the politicians, his superior officers, and the press.
" He was left with only solution: to capture or kill the Apache leader.
Nana, the elderly Apache leader, expressed his philosophy this way: "Every struggle whether it is won or lost strengthens us for the next one to come.
Sometimes, as we have seen from Victorio's death, we need to be defeated so that we may gain the strength and courage necessary to be victorious again.
Our war of vengeance has proven this to be true.
" Colonel Hatch described his frustration, "Fighting the Apaches is not like fighting the Mexicans or the Confederates...
It's more like fighting ghosts.
They are an enemy you cannot see, cannot find, and cannot kill.
Yet they can strike at you when you least expect it and then disappear into the landscape.
" "Avenging Victorio" is historical fiction at its best.
I was intrigued by DeWitt's detail in describing the traditions, customs, and celebrations of the Apache Indians.
I was also captivated with De Witt's insight into the prayers, songs, and ceremonial dances.
His interpretation of their communication with the supernatural was powerful.
The careful attention to details, his comprehensive research and the expressive reporting added greatly to the enjoyment of this action packed historical novel of the early 1880s.
Every citizen of New Mexico should find this an important book to read and to pass along to their children.
The story is a reminder of the price paid by the early frontiersman and settlers of the West.
It is also a reminder of the cost to the American Indian in their attempt to maintain their land, culture and way of life.
Brilliantly written, this is a story that will haunt the reader long after closing the cover on the last chapter.
As reviewed for Midwest Book Reviews