Under the leadership of the mysterious Popé and tired of the misery of Spanish dominion, the pueblos successfully removed the yoke of Spanish rule in 1680. The Pueblo Revolt, perhaps the most triumphant of native rebellions, awarded the pueblos freedom after some eight decades of Spanish rule. But, by 1692, pressure from neighboring tribes and continually dry conditions made them vulnerable. Responsibility for the recapture of New Mexico fell to one Spaniard, down on his luck and desperate for redemption.

Using his own money and in danger of losing his status and livelihood permanently, Don Diego de Vargas undertook the reconquest of New Mexico for the Spanish in 1692. Born in Madrid in 1643, Vargas came into a family of considerable standing but meager funds. Vargas' father drove the family into bankruptcy and left young Vargas with few options. To restore the family name and fortune, Vargas opted to try his luck in the New World, where he received a post as justicia mayor of a locale in present-day Oaxaca.

In Mexico, Vargas reversed his fortunes. While he had failed at gentility in Spain, in Mexico he successfully oversaw silver mines near what is now the mountain village of Zacatecas. His superiors took note of the profits turned under Vargas' management. Advancement lay in his future.

In 1688, authorities promised Vargas the governorship of New Mexico, a province they had failed to control for eight years. Although the Spaniards had come to realize that New Mexico promised little material wealth, their claim upon the territory still served to solidify their stature in northern America, not to mention their likely desire to prove their dominance over the Natives.

But Vargas would have few resources to display Spanish power. When mustered at El Paso, Vargas presided over a mere 200 soldiers, many of whom were ill-trained or otherwise unprofessional soldiers. The little group was matched against hundreds of miles of unforgiving terrain and thousands of Natives, many of whom would not be glad to see the return of Spanish ordinance.

Some pueblos, however, fared poorly during the dozen years of Spanish absence. A shift in power brought raiding Apaches to pueblo communities. The partial rejection of Spanish crops matched with drought made sustenance difficult for some. Spanish support may have seemed a welcome relief from the pueblo's heavy burdens.

As a result, Vargas met with surprisingly little resistance in the short term. Vargas did find a fight in Santa Fe, where a far larger army of Natives had gathered for a battle, or, at least, a contentious resolution. Wisely, Vargas laid partial siege to the city by cutting off the former capital's water supply. He held the advantage until the Natives relented and negotiated terms for renewed Spanish authority.

Those terms had little meaning until a year later, when Vargas returned with the expression of Spanish rule. He brought with him soldiers and settlers, both of whom had to face renewed Native hostility. A second Pueblo Revolt flared.

Vargas then displayed a gruesome tenacity. His men retook Santa Fe and captured dozens of Native warriors and killed them for their transgressions. Their deaths signaled the beginning of another era of Spanish cruelty. Other Natives were virtually enslaved as laborers for the hundreds of colonists who entered New Mexico and re-established pioneer communities.

As a return on his personal investment and despite numerous challenges, Vargas found himself governor of New Mexico. But his initial contract with Spanish authorities limited his term of leadership to a mere five years beginning in 1688. After all of his work, Vargas had limited time to enjoy his new title. He attempted to stay in office, presumably for the rest of his life and much to the annoyance of his successor.

His persistence earned him a house arrest until 1700, when Vargas traveled to Mexico City to campaign for the restoration of his position. And, despite his general dislike of New Mexico, Vargas regained the governorship, recouped expenses from Spain and took the title to a productive encomienda. At 60, Vargas returned to New Mexico only to fall and die one year later.

Vargas was buried in Santa Fe and an annual celebration commemorates his legacy. But while Vargas proved courageous in his investment and endeavor to retake New Mexico, he also brought about the end of pueblo independence almost singlehandedly.

Jason Strykowski is a doctoral student at The University of New Mexico.