The Apache Agency at Mescalero as it appeared in the 1880s. The fight took place in the middle distance. One of the reasons for the fight is that the Apaches were not getting enough rations, and, in desperation, were given permission to hunt for game. It was perhaps a hunting party that ran into the Regulators on the trail. The Apaches had been targets for horse stealing for a long time, with Chisum and his men stealing horses (in retaliation for Apaches stealing their remuda), along with Jesse Evans and the Boys and others. It is a distinct possibility the Regulators were in the neighborhood to steal horses and the hunting party subsequently confronted them. When the Kid lost his horse, he also lost his saddle and tack, and even perhaps his trusty Winchester. In that time and place, the rig was as important as the horse and to replace both was not easy to do—and it was expensive. Thus, the Kid and his crew turned to even more horse stealing in order to buy new tack and weapons. – Courtesy Museum of New Mexico –
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