Albert Pfeiffer told of his life as the son of Colonel Pfeiffer, who was an officer with the 1st New Mexico Volunteers, a cavalry unit, as follows:

Colonel Pfeiffer eventually settled near the Rio Grande below South Fork, Colorado, previous to the year 1872, when he bought 320 acres at Granger with soldier's script. In all the country he had ridden, he looked upon this primitive grandeur with admiring eyes, proclaiming it the most beautiful he had ever seen. Thus the result for Albert's pioneering days in the San Luis Valley.

Colonel Pfeiffer was born in Germany in 1822 of noble parentage. As was the custom in his time and position, a good part of his extensive education was spent in European military academies. One of which was the Military Academy of Stockholm, known for it's excellence in the science of military strategy.

He was fluent in several languages, including Spanish, and as a result of his excellent ability in languages, in later years, Colonel Pfeiffer was able to communicate with the Ute Indians in their own tongue.

He was accomplished in the art of fencing and other related skills. One of which he would be recognized for was his ability as a marksman. He was known throughout his military career as a sharpshooter. Even his enemies in battle respected this skill he possessed.

It was around the years of 1840-46 that this young man from East Freisland in the province of Hanover, Germany, crossed the North Sea bound for the New World called America.

He was the scion of the oldest nobility and one of the heirs-in-law of the fine old Bohnenburg estate, which fell to him through his titled mother, Lady Von Vechter. It is not positively known if the death of his mother and remarriage of his father or the revolutionary movements Germany was experiencing, that caused this sturdy young Teuton to turn his face resolutely toward the New World, leaving all the ancient history connected with his name and race behind him. He was about 22 years of age.

After traveling through the country, he settled in Santa Fe, and tried his hand as a merchant. He was forced to give this up as the credit he had given had grown to the point of being uncollectible. The circumstances did not seem to dismay him to any great degree as stated by some documents. He matter-of-factly closed the door to the store and locking it, tossed the key up on the roof with the expression, "Let the devil take the hindmost!""

Doing what would be the natural thing for him. he enlisted. On the 29th day of June, 1855, lie received a commission from the Governor of New Mexico as a 1st Lieutenant of a cavalry. In time he received a commission of Captain, from Governor Roucher of New Mexico. Eventually he received the commission of Colonel.

Recordings in military archives place him constantly by Carson's side riding together from the start of his career. He was twenty years younger than Kit Carson, but history and writings tell of the close friendship that grew between the two. The relationship was a genuine one of man to man and officer to officer. The young officer at times used his own judgement, differing from those in high command. If he was reprimanded, Colonel Carson supported Pfeiffer's actions, even resigning his position on one incident, until the young officer received a reprieve. Carson requested that Pfeiffer be assigned to his command upon several assignments or campaigns. Carson indicated his opinion that his young officer and companion had training beyond comparison to many of higher rank and grade. He recognized this fact as he admitted he had benefitted himself in many circumstances.

An article by Augusta Hayes in 1880 characterized Pfeiffer as "A very paladin of the frontier and probably the most desperately courageous and successful Indian fighter of the West". Hayes' assessment of Pfeiffer's military training is borne out by the dispatches of Carson's expeditions.

The young officer was an adventurer and spirited. When in the field on duty, he was strictly self-disciplined and highly professional. But when on leave, at times, he indulged in high-living, drinking and gambling. Carson treated his close friend like a prodigal son. In later years, Kit Carson became the godfather of Pfeiffer's only son, Albert Henry Pfeiffer II. As god-father, Carson gave a I/8 th interest in the St. Vrain Land Grant to his god-child at birth. The deed would someday make him a man of wealth. This would never materialize as the deed was taken from the effects of Col. Pfeiffer when he was on an expedition. In later years Albert gave up his search, when learning the Court House where the deed was recorded burned to the ground, nothing being saved.

So close was Carson's and Pfeiffer's friendship, Albert told of a personal messenger of Carson's notifying Pfeiffer of the death of Carson's wife. He immediately went to be beside his old friend. Pfeiffer was notified, also, of Carson's grave condition, continuously as it worsened. During this time, Pfeiffer's health, too, was failing.

After retiring from soldiering, he settled on his ranch at Granger. During this time, he was Indian Agent for the Utes. Their reservation was located in the Pagosa area. It is thought he rode

by way of Elwood Pass when a messenger was sent by the Utes notifying him when help was needed.

It was the year of 1872, when Albert was 15 years old, that a messenger rode to the ranch at Granger, notifying Pfeiffer that they needed help. Pfeiffer rode to Pagosa Springs to find that help was needed to help the Utes settle an age old dispute with the Navajo of rightful ownership of the Hot Springs. Many battles had been fought and many lives had been lost on both sides. No settlement had been reached. A final arrangement was made. A duel was to be held and fought until death.

The Navajo chose their largest in stature and most capable of warriors to represent them.

Colonel Pfeiffer had, sometime before, been attributed a great honor by the Utes, when they adopted him into their tribe. They fondly called him "Tata Pfeiffer", (father). Because of their high regard for him and his willingness, he was chosen to represent the Utes. Pfeiffer conceded when the Navajo requested knives for weapons.

Pfeiffer's request was that each be stripped to the waist. His reasoning that another weapon not be concealed. The duel was held. It was recorded in the history of the west as the famous "Great Duel". Pfeiffer was the victor.

Thus the Utes ownership of the springs was recognized from that time onward by the Navajo.

Among the many stories written about this famous duel in all it's glory of bravery, on both sides, not one mentions that Colonel Pfeiffer was in his retirement at the age of fifty years, nor do they relate that he had seventeen wounds on his body from poi poisonous arrows which caused constant pain.

Albert and his father shared many things but Colonel Pfeiffer seldom if at all spoke of the death of Albert's mother. As Albert grew older he did know about the tragic event that took. place. Mrs. Pfeiffer was expecting the Pfeiffer's second child and Colonel Pfeiffer, then assigned to the Post at Fort McRae, arranged to take her to the hot springs, just south of Ft. McRae. Three year old Albert was left home with servants and the Pfeiffers accompanied with an armed escort of six enlisted men and two servant girls set out for bathing in the medicinal waters. The colonel was bathing in one part and his wife close by in another pool, when they were ambushed by twenty Apaches. Pfeiffer was wounded seriously by an arrow in the side, but was able to grab his rifle and fire at the band. Two privates were killed in the attack and three others cut off from Pfeiffer by the Apaches, fled to the Fort, where help was quickly dispatched. Some of the Apaches were holding the women, while the rest were firing at Pfeiffer. During the pursuit that followed, Pfeiffer's wife and two servant girls were found lying in the trail, still alive, but "badly wounded and bruised", Mrs. Pfeiffer and one of the girls subsequently died. With the trauma of the death of his beloved wife and unborn child, and being seriously injured, months passed before he was able to report for duty in the field.

Through the years that followed, Pfeiffer never remarried. He placed his motherless son in care of fellow officers during inch periods fie was assigned in the field. In order to see his little son, he rode miles to meet a stage bringing the boy, accompanied by an officer.

Colonel Pfeiffer lived a secluded life on his ranch, caring to have only his son and daughter-in-law and intimate friends with him. He carried on continuous games of chess with his cronies. Among them was A. R. Bevan, an Englishman, who rode from the Saguache area to see him. He spent much of his time with Pfeiffer, along with a few others including his long-time friend Christopher Stollsteimer.

A. R. Bevan was the god-father of Col. Pfeiffer's grandchild, daughter of Albert. Lena Adeline was six months old when she was cradled in the arms of Col. Pfeiffer as he walked with Albert, up a hillside, where he pointed out the spot where he wanted to be buried.

His health continuously worsened. Dr. Hill and Pittman watched over him constantly but could do nothing for him.

Six months later on Wednesday, April b, 1881 he died at eleven o'clock in the morning, at 59 years of age. His immediate attendants had no thought death would claim his so soon. He made no struggle but passed quietly from sleep of life to that of death. His last request was that he be buried quietly and unostentatiously.

A. R. Bevan wrote, "He was interred among the foothills overlooking his beautiful ranch with no crowd nor ceremony, only five being present, as was his wish. What a fitting place for this illustrious man to lie at rest in a grave, hewn from solid rock, among the dark pinon and painted rocks. Here lies what remains of this brave old warrior and here in the pin-clad forest the wind in tuneful lays sings sad requiem o'er his grave. Requiescat in peace can be truthfully and heartily resounded".

Albert made the fence and cross, marking the site. It still stands. Many years later the Daughter's of the American Revolution, erected a monument.