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De Soto went into winter quarters 1540-1 in the town of Chicaca, a village of the Chickasaws. Here says the narrative of Elvas, “The country was very well peopled, and the houses scattered like those of Mavilla, fat and plentiful of maize, and the most part of it was fielding.” The Spaniards were able to secure plentiful supplies of food and remained here from December to the following March. According to one account, Chicaca was a small town of 20 houses, while another reports it to be a town of 200 fires, situated on a hill leading north and south, which was watered by many little brooks. Competent authorities have located Chicaca about one mile northwest of Redland, in Pontotoc county. De Soto having decided to continue his march in search of some wealthy province, he demanded porters and guides of the cacique Miculasa (“Mingo lusa”, Black chief) by March 4th, but, the craft chief put him off with promises for several days, and then suddenly attacked and surprised the town at a very early hour in the morning. They attacked from four sides, dashing into the place and setting fire to the houses. The Spaniards were unable to arm themselves or mount their horses, by reason for the surprise, and the Indians not only killed and wounded many of them, but completely destroyed the town and escaped with the loss of only one of their number, said to have been killed by the lance of Soto himself. Says Elvas: “There died in this hurly burly eleven Christians, and fifty horses; and there remained a hundred hogs, and four hundred were burned. If any perchance had saved any clothes from the fire of Mavilla, here they were burned, and many were clad in skins, for they had no leisure to take their coats. The Christians were so spoiled, and in such want of saddles and weapons which were burned, that if the Indians had come the second night, they had overcome them with little labor.” |
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Last Updated Tuesday, 11-Sep-2018 03:57:58 MDT
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