When the Confederates got to the end of the canyon chased by the Indians why did they not take to higher ground and hold out for a while? I think they could have taken out a lot more and maybe they would have given up and went away.
shareMakes sense to me.
shareThose Great Basin Shoshone wouldn't have given up and gone away. They were out for Caucasian blood, and they would get it even if they had to starve those Confederates to death! But, by killing courageous warriors who fought man-to-man, to the last man (even while outnumbered), they'd not only satisfy their blood-lust. They might also spiritually acquire the strength and courage of their enemies.
sharePlus, by taking Chief Mad Dog with them, Barstow's Raiders forced the rest of the Shoshone to take his body home for funeral preparations. Followed, of course, by the selection of a new war chief. By which time, Johanna and the others would be safely back with the Union Cavalry.
shareIt's either die in a blaze of glory fighting the Shoshone or end up in a prison camp...they'd also have a regiment of Union Cavalry after them.
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