Indian Killers

While the Seminole allies helped fend off Texas filibusterers who entertained dreams of empire, their main function for Mexico was to fight Indians. From 1851-1855, the Seminole allies served the Mexican government in multiple engagements against hostile Indians. Comanche and Apache parties had been particularly active when the Seminoles first arrived. During 1851 alone, Comanches and Lipan Apaches launched more than 94 incursions into northern Mexico, killing 63 Mexicans, kidnapping and wounding many more, and stealing much livestock. In response, the Mexican government ordered the Seminole allies to join Mexican colonists tracking the raiders along the Texas border and west toward Laguna de Jaco and Laguna de Tlahualilo.