Battle of Apache Pass, Arizona
Apache Pass, a rugged and historically significant corridor in southeastern Arizona, stands as a testament to the tumultuous clashes between the United States military and the Chiricahua Apache people. This strategic passage, etched into the landscape, served as a crucial artery for westward expansion, most notably as a segment of the Butterfield Overland Stage route. However, it also became a crucible of conflict, forever marked by the Battle of Apache Pass, a pivotal engagement that shaped the course of the Apache Wars. The story of Battle of Apache Pass is deeply intertwined with the establishment of Fort Bowie, a military outpost that would play a central role in the decades-long struggle for control of the region.
The roots of the conflict in Battle of Apache Pass predate the formal establishment of Fort Bowie. In February 1861, a tense confrontation unfolded between Lieutenant George Bascom and the renowned Apache leader Cochise. This incident, known as the Bascom Affair, ignited a quarter-century of brutal warfare between the Chiricahua Apache and the encroaching white settlers. It also sparked a personal vendetta between Cochise and the U.S. Army, a conflict that would define his legacy. The Bascom Affair underscores the deep-seated mistrust and cultural misunderstandings that fueled the larger conflict, setting the stage for future battles and ultimately, the Battle of Apache Pass.
The Battle of Apache Pass itself transpired in July 1862. General James H. Carleton, commanding a Federal army marching eastward to counter the Confederate invasion of New Mexico, found his path blocked by a formidable force of Apache warriors. The prize at stake was Apache Spring, a vital water source nestled within the pass. Control of this spring was critical for Carleton’s army, making the ensuing battle unavoidable.
The engagement commenced when an advance guard of 96 California Volunteers, traversing the old Butterfield Road, approached the abandoned stage station in Apache Pass. Unbeknownst to them, Cochise and his ally, Mangas Coloradas, two of the most influential Apache leaders of the era, had amassed a force of approximately 150 warriors. The Apache warriors strategically ambushed the rear of the column, initiating a fierce and desperate fight.
The California Volunteers, initially caught off guard, quickly regrouped and counterattacked. They drove the Apache from their initial ambush positions, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding hills. However, the Apache, masters of guerilla warfare and intimately familiar with the terrain, had anticipated this move. They had already established new, fortified positions around Apache Spring, ready to defend their vital water source.
The battle for Apache Spring was a brutal affair. The California Volunteers, acutely aware of their dire need for water, launched repeated assaults against the Apache fortifications. The Apache, entrenched behind rocky outcroppings and natural barriers, unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows and gunfire. The fighting was intense and close-quarters, with both sides exhibiting remarkable courage and determination.
Sergeant Albert Fountain, a participant in the battle, vividly captured the intensity of the conflict in his account: "The situation was by no means an enviable one. Men and officers were worn out with fatigue… but water we must have, and to obtain it we must force the enemy’s almost impregnable position: garrisoned with the bravest warriors of the combined Apache tribes."
Fountain described the final assault: "Our line dashed forward and advanced under continuous and galling fire from both sides of the canyon until we reached a point within 50 yards of the spring. Then from the rocks and willows above the spring came a sheet of flame."
In a desperate move, Fountain ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge. "I ordered the men to fix bayonets and make one dash for the summit and the next moment we were over a rough stone wall and on the inside of a circular fortification some 30 feet in diameter; 50 or more Indians were going out and down the hill on the opposite side."
The successful capture of the Apache fortifications was met with cheers from the troops below, who rushed to the spring to fill their canteens and kettles. However, the fighting was far from over. The Apache, regrouping on the surrounding hills, continued to harass the soldiers with gunfire. The California Volunteers responded with artillery fire, using howitzers to dislodge the Apache from their positions. "As we carried the hill a cheer came up from down below, as our comrades dashed to the spring with camp kettles and canteens. Then fire was opened upon them from the opposite hill, but we turned a plunging fire upon the enemy, and they were soon full flight. The howitzers were brought into action, and from our elevated position we could see hundreds of Indians scampering to the hills to escape the bursting shells."
While the Battle of Apache Pass resulted in a victory for the California Volunteers, it came at a cost. The battle underscored the strategic importance of Apache Pass and the need for a permanent military presence to secure the route and protect settlers from Apache raids. As a direct consequence of the battle, Fort Bowie was established in the heart of Apache Pass.
Fort Bowie served as a critical base of operations for the U.S. Army in its campaigns against the Chiricahua Apache. From its strategic location, soldiers launched countless patrols, scouted the surrounding terrain, and mounted major offensives against Apache strongholds. The fort became synonymous with the U.S. military’s efforts to subdue the Apache and assert control over the region.
Throughout its history, Fort Bowie served as the headquarters for several prominent military figures, including General George Crook and his successor, General Nelson A. Miles. These officers led extended campaigns deep into Mexico, relentlessly pursuing Geronimo and his band of Apache warriors. Their efforts ultimately led to Geronimo’s surrender in 1886, effectively ending the Apache Wars.
The surrender of Geronimo marked a turning point in the history of the American West. From the Fort Bowie parade grounds, Geronimo and his people began their long journey to imprisonment in Florida. The event symbolized the end of an era, the culmination of decades of conflict and the subjugation of the Chiricahua Apache.
Today, the Fort Bowie National Historic Site stands as a reminder of the tumultuous past of Apache Pass and the Battle of Apache Pass. Maintained by the National Park Service, the site offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers, settlers, and Apache who shaped the history of this iconic landscape. The ruins of Fort Bowie, the remnants of the Butterfield Stage route, and the rugged beauty of Apache Pass serve as a poignant testament to the enduring legacy of the Apache Wars.
Contact Information:
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
3203 South Old Fort Bowie Road
Bowie, Arizona 85605
520-847-2500
http://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm