Francois Derbanne's Party Attacked by Apaches on Journey from Natchitoches to the Rio Grande

Interpreter in uniform of a French Marine at Ft. St Jean Baptiste

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Francois Derbanne's journey in 1717 from Natchitoches to the Rio Grand would have made a great script for Director John Ford with Derbanne played by the "Duke", John Wayne. In his own words the intrepid explorer writes:

"On the 8th (of April, 1717) we made 8 leagues (12 miles), we crossed Red River (or Colorado)...which is very wide when it is high and the woods on both sides are willows, ash and oak...After crossing it, we were attacked by sixty Indians, all on horseback, whom the Spaniards call Apaches".

Details of the attack include:

• Derbanne's party dismounted to defend themselves
• The Apaches shot many arrows but saw that Derbanne and his companions would not run and that they would not hand over their goods
• the Apaches "decided to go steal the mules, which were following behind us and were not loaded".
• The Indians had no trouble stealing the mules for there was only one Spaniard to drive them. They carried him off with them "and vanished with the twenty-three mules".

On the 21st, Derbanne records "We crossed the Rio Grands and came to the Presidio, where there is a captain and thirty soldiers and two missions...The Rio Grande is a fine river, deep enough for a pirogue at all seasons (a fact that would have been greatly appreciated by Derbanne due to the problems of navigating the Red River when the water level was low)...it is 200 paces wide".

When you Tour Natchitoches with Barbara, she will tell you other stories about her grandfather, Francois Derbanne (nine generations removed), and should you choose, show you the historically accurate replica of the French Fort St Jean Baptiste in Natchitoches.

To contact Barbara, go {here}

THE FRENCH CAME TO NATCHITOCHES IN 1714. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN

Add Value to Your Natchitoches Tour By Engaging A Tour Guide

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Natchitoches is a great place for sightseeing tours. Add value to an already valued tour when you:

1. Engage Barbara as your Natchitoches Tour Guide. For nine generations her family has been in Natchitoches, since the founding of the original French settlement in 1714. She knows the sites, studies the history and can tell you the fascinating stories of this French Colonial City.

2.Ensure that you see the places that most interest you and that you use the time to best advantage. All of Barbara's Tours are customized especially for her guests. Your tour starts when you are ready and not on someone else's schedule.

3. Encourage your family and friends to come to Natchitoches for a tour of adventure and discovery. Barbara's tours are reasonably priced but you get an even better value by cost sharing since she does not charge a per person fee.

4. Endear your self to your group by knowing the best places to eat, shop and relax. Barbara can help you with all of this. She will even help you to find a Bed and Breakfast or a hotel for your visit to Natchitoches.

Remember that the best way to add value to your Natchitoches tour is to Tour Natchitoches with Barbara. Click {here} for more information.