Most of us know of the Apache leader
Geronimo but most of what most of us know we learned at the movies. Leader of the Chiricahua Apaches, Geronimo
led the fight against the expansion into Apache tribal lands by the United
States during the Apache Wars. But you
knew that much from the movies. The
greatest wrongs that were visited upon the Apaches were from the United States
government. But it all started in
Mexico…and we continue with the story.
It was in the summer of 1859, almost a year
from the date of the massacre of Kas-Ki-Yeh, that the three tribes were
assembled on the Mexican border to go on the warpath. Their faces were painted,
the war bands fastened upon their brows, and their long scalp-locks were
ready for the hand and knife of the warrior who could overcome them. Their
families had been hidden away in a mountain rendezvous near the Mexican border.
With these families a guard was posted, and a number of places of rendezvous
designated in case the camp should be disturbed.
When all were ready the chieftains
gave the
order to
go forward. None of the Apaches were mounted and each warrior wore moccasins,
and a cloth wrapped about his loins. This cloth could be spread over him when
he slept, and when on the march would be ample protection as clothing. In
battle, if the fight was hard, the braves did not wish to be hampered by too much
clothing. Each warrior carried three days’ rations, but as they often killed
game while on the march, the Indians were seldom without food.
They traveled in three divisions: the
Bedonkohe Apaches led by Mangas-Coloradas, the Chokonen Apaches by Cochise, and
the Nedni Apaches by Whoa; however, there was no regular order inside the
separate tribes. Warriors usually marched about fourteen hours per day, making
three stops for meals, and traveling forty to forty-five miles a day.
Geronimo
acted as guide into Mexico, and they followed the river courses and mountain
ranges because that way the Apaches could better keep their movements
concealed. The Indians entered Sonora and went southward past Quitaca,
Nacozari, and many smaller settlements.
When they
were almost at Arispe, the Apaches camped, and eight Mexican men
rode out from the city to parley with them. The warriors promptly captured,
killed, and scalped the Mexicans. The purpose of this was to draw the Mexican troops
from the city, and the next day they came. The skirmishing lasted all day
without a general engagement, but just at night, the Apaches captured the
Mexican supply train, giving the Indians plenty of provisions and some more
guns.
That night the
Apaches posted sentinels and did not move their camp, but rested quietly all
night, for they expected heavy work the next day. Early the next morning the
warriors were assembled to pray—not for help, but that they might have health
and avoid ambush or deceptions by the enemy.
As the war
party had anticipated, the whole Mexican force came out at about ten o’clock in
the morning. There were two companies of cavalry and two of infantry. Geronimo recognized the cavalry as the
soldiers who had killed his people at Kas-Ki-Yeh.
Geronimo relayed that information to the chieftains, and they decided that Geronimo
could direct the battle.
Geronimo was
no chief and never had been, but because the chieftains were of the opinion
that Geronimo had been more deeply wronged than others, this honor was
conferred upon him, and Geronimo resolved to prove worthy of the trust. Geronimo arranged the Indians in a hollow
circle near the river, and the Mexicans drew their infantry up in two lines,
with the cavalry in reserve. The Apaches were in the timber, and the Mexicans
advanced until within about four hundred yards.
The Mexicans halted and opened fire. Within moments Geronimo led a
charge against them, and, at the same time, he sent some braves to attack the
Mexican rear.
Throughout the
battle, Geronimo thought of his murdered mother, wife, and babies; he
remembered his father’s grave and his vow of vengeance, and Geronimo fought
with fury. Many fell by his hand. Without hesitation Geronimo led the advance. Many Indians were killed. The battle lasted
about two hours.
At the last,
four Indians: Geronimo and three other warriors were alone in the center of
the field of battle. Their arrows were all gone; their spears broken off in the
bodies of dead enemies. They had only their hands and knives with which to
fight, but all who had stood against them were dead. Then two armed Mexican soldiers
came upon the four from another part of the field. The Mexicans shot down two
of the braves and Geronimo and the remaining Indian took flight toward their compatriots
at the edge of the field of battle.
Geronimo’s companion was struck down by a Mexican
saber, but Geronimo reached his fellow warriors, seized a spear, and turned.
The Mexican soldier who pursued Geronimo missed his aim and fell by Geronimo’s
spear. Geronimo then confronted the Mexican trooper who had killed his
companion and they grappled and fell. Geronimo
killed him with his knife and quickly rose over his body, brandishing the
Mexican’s saber, looking for other troopers to kill. There were none. But the Apaches had observed what Geronimo had
done. Over the bloody field, covered
with the bodies of Mexicans, rang the fierce Apache war-whoop.
Still covered with the blood of his enemies, still
holding his conquering weapon, still hot with the joy of battle, victory, and
vengeance, Geronimo was surrounded by the Apache braves and made war chief of
all the Apaches. Then Geronimo gave orders to scalp the slain.
Geronimo
could not call back his loved ones, Geronimo could not bring back the dead
Apaches, but Geronimo could rejoice in this revenge. The Apaches had avenged
the massacre of Kas-ki-yeh.
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