In 1863 the infamous scout Kit Carson, who was a Colonel in the New Mexico militia was ordered by General James H. Carleton to deal with Navajo 'problem'. This followed his successful campaign against the Mescalcros Apache and their removal to the Bosque Redondo reservation.
Instructed to remove them to the Bosque also, Carson engaged in a ruthless scorched earth policy to drive the Navajo's from their homeland. His advancing troops killing sheep, contaminating wells, burning crops and Hogans.
Many took refuge in the Canyon de Chelly deep in the heart of their homeland, where Carson finally caught up with them in the winter of 1863. A large number of Navajo men, women and children died in the subsequent attack. The survivors, sick, cold and starving had to endure a 300 mile forced march through the snow known as the 'Long Walk' to the Bosque reservation.