Kit Carson: An Extremely Rare 1863 Document Signed as Commander of the Navajo Expedition. ...

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Kit Carson: An Extremely Rare 1863 Document Signed as Commander of the Navajo Expedition. One of the rarest of frontier autographs, and especially desirable in this form. Two partially printed ledger pages are pasted together to form a 19.5" x 16.5" display. It is a report of persons and articles employed and hired at the Depot of the Navajo Expedition, Fort Candy, New Mexico during spring and summer of 1863. Listed are the names of fifty-five persons, including many Indians such as Black Knee, Peacock, and Torn Shirt, who served with the expedition. Carson was placed in charge of a force of 700 men assigned to round up and evacuate the Navajos. The following January he trapped a number of them in the Canyon de Chelley, and herded them on the 300 mile "long walk" to Fort Sumter, New Mexico for relocation. A colonel at the time, Carson was brevetted brigadier general for his efforts.

A legendary frontiersman, trapper, soldier, and Indian agent, Kit Carson's contributions to westward expansion in the United States rank him among the nation's great folk heroes. He served as a guide on the famed John C. Frémont explorations of the West, and ended his career as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the territory of Colorado, a position he occupied until his death.

The document is in beautiful condition, with the tiniest bit of edge wear noted for accuracy. Bold ink signature at lower left bottom.