Editing Kit Carson (section)

=== Battle of Canyon de Chelly ===
{{Main|Battle of Canyon de Chelly}}
Carson wanted to take a winter break from the campaign. Major General Carleton refused and ordered him to invade the [[Canyon de Chelly]], where many Navajos had taken refuge. The historian David Roberts writes, "Carson's sweep through the Canyon de Chelly in the winter of 1863–1864 would prove to be the decisive action in the Campaign."<ref>Roberts 263</ref>

The Canyon de Chelly was a sacred place for the Navajo. They believed that it would now be their strongest sanctuary, and 300 Navajo took refuge on the canyon rim, called Fortress Rock. They resisted [[Battle of Canyon de Chelly|Carson's invasion]] by building rope ladders and bridges, lowering water pots into a stream, and keeping quiet and out of sight. The 300 Navajo survived the invasion. In January 1864, Carson swept through the {{convert|35|mi|adj=on}} Canyon with his forces, including Captain Albert Pfeiffer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the-journal.com/articles/53234|title=A search for truth: Albert Pfeiffer, Kit Carson and the Long Walk|date=June 13, 2017|website=The Journal|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725181100/https://the-journal.com/articles/53234|url-status=dead}}</ref> The thousands of peach trees in the canyon were cut down. Few Navajo were killed or captured. Carson's invasion, however, proved to the Navajo that the [[United States]] could invade their territory at any time. Many Navajo surrendered at [[Fort Defiance, Arizona]].<ref>Roberts 265–269</ref>

By March 1864, there were 3,000 refugees at Fort Canby, with 5,000 more joining later. Suffering from the intense cold and hunger, Carson asked for supplies to feed and clothe the Navajo and forced the thousands of them to walk to [[Bosque Redondo]]. Many died along the way, and those falling behind were fatally shot. In Navajo history, the horrific trek is known as [[Long Walk of the Navajo]]. By 1866, reports indicated that Bosque Redondo was a complete failure, Major General Carleton was fired, and Congress started investigations. In 1868, a treaty was signed, and the Navajo were allowed to return to their homeland. Bosque Redondo was closed.<ref>Roberts 270–281</ref>