Apache Wars of the Southwest – Legends of America

The Apache Wars stand as a protracted and complex series of armed conflicts etched into the history of the American Southwest. These wars pitted the United States Army against various Apache nations in a struggle that spanned primarily from 1849 to 1886, with lingering hostilities extending into the dawn of the 20th century. While often overshadowed in popular narratives, the Apache Wars represent the longest military engagement in the history of the United States, a testament to the tenacity and resilience of both sides involved.

A Landscape of Conflict: Battles and Skirmishes

The Apache Wars were not a single, monolithic conflict, but rather a constellation of battles, skirmishes, and campaigns that unfolded across the rugged terrain of the Southwest. Some of the most notable engagements include:

Apache War, New Mexico (1854): An early clash that set the stage for future conflicts.
Battle of Cieneguilla, New Mexico (1854): A fierce encounter that demonstrated the Apache’s fighting prowess.
Battle of Ojo Caliente Canyon, New Mexico (1854): A strategic battle fought in the challenging terrain of a canyon.
Battle of the Diablo Mountains, Texas (1854): A clash in the rugged Diablo Mountains, highlighting the vast geographical scope of the conflict.
Battle of Pima Butte, Arizona (1857): A significant battle in Arizona that showcased the Apache’s adaptability to different landscapes.
Battle of Cookes Canyon, New Mexico (1861): Another engagement in New Mexico, underscoring the persistent nature of the conflict.
Battle of Pinos Altos, New Mexico (1861): A battle near the mining town of Pinos Altos, reflecting the encroachment of settlers on Apache lands.
Battle of Placito, New Mexico (1861): A lesser-known battle that contributed to the overall intensity of the wars.
Apache Pass/Fort Bowie, Arizona (1862): A pivotal battle that saw the strategic importance of Apache Pass and the establishment of Fort Bowie.
Big Dry Wash, Arizona (1862): A major engagement that resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
First Battle of Dragoon Springs, Arizona (1862): An early battle in the Dragoon Mountains, marking the beginning of a prolonged struggle in the region.
Battle of Mount Gray, New Mexico (1864): A battle fought on the slopes of Mount Gray, showcasing the Apache’s ability to fight in mountainous terrain.
Battle of Fort Buchanan, Arizona (1865): An attack on Fort Buchanan, highlighting the Apache’s willingness to strike at established military posts.
Battle of Salt River Canyon (Skeleton Cave), Arizona (1872): A controversial battle that resulted in the massacre of Apache civilians.
Apache War Campaign (1873 and 1885-1886): A series of coordinated military operations aimed at suppressing Apache resistance.
Battle of Sunset Pass, Arizona (1874): A battle fought near Sunset Pass, reflecting the ongoing conflict in the Arizona Territory.
Battle of Fort Tularosa, New Mexico (1880): An attack on Fort Tularosa, demonstrating the Apache’s continued resistance in New Mexico.
Battle of Hembrillo Basin, New Mexico (1880): A battle in the Hembrillo Basin, highlighting the vastness of the conflict zone.
Cibecue Creek, Arizona (1881): A battle sparked by religious tensions and the killing of an Apache medicine man.
Battle of Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico (1881): A battle in Carrizo Canyon, underscoring the continued fighting in New Mexico.
Battle of Fort Apache, Arizona (1881): An attack on Fort Apache, demonstrating the Apache’s ability to strike at established military posts.
Battle of Cookes Spring, New Mexico (1885): A battle near Cookes Spring, reflecting the ongoing conflict in New Mexico.
Battle of Devil’s Creek, New Mexico (1885): A battle in the rugged terrain of Devil’s Creek, showcasing the challenges faced by both sides.
Battle of Little Dry Creek, New Mexico (1885): A lesser-known battle that contributed to the overall intensity of the wars.
Battle of Skeleton Canyon, Arizona (1886): The site of Geronimo’s final surrender, marking the end of the major Apache Wars.

The Roots of Conflict: Raids, Relocations, and Broken Promises

Historically, the Apache engaged in raids against enemy tribes and sometimes each other, primarily for livestock, food, or captives. These raids, conducted by small parties for specific purposes, were distinct from warfare and rarely involved large-scale mobilization. The first conflicts between the Apache and other peoples in the Southwest can be traced back to the earliest Spanish settlements. However, the arrival of the American Government and the subsequent relocation of other Indian tribes onto Apache lands, beginning around 1830, exacerbated tensions and fueled more frequent and pronounced conflicts.

The Spark: The Cochise Incident

The first conflicts of the Apache Wars ignited during the Mexican-American War when American troops mistakenly accused Cochise and his tribe of kidnapping a young boy. Despite Cochise’s truthful denial and offer to help find the boy, the American commander refused to believe him and took Cochise and his party hostage. Cochise’s daring escape and the ensuing standoff, during which both sides captured additional hostages, ultimately led to a tragic escalation. In retaliation for the troops’ refusal to release their people, the Apache killed the soldiers and postmen they had captured. The Army responded by killing six Apache men, including Cochise’s brother and nephews, further inflaming tensions and igniting a full-scale war.

A Legacy of Resistance: Leaders and Campaigns

Following the United States’ victory in the Mexican-American War in 1846, the nation inherited a legacy of conflict between American settlers and Apache groups. As settlers encroached upon traditional Apache lands, these conflicts intensified, leading the United States Army to establish forts and create reservations in an attempt to control the Apache bands. The initial goal of the Apache Wars was to suppress tribal resistance against the occupation of their lands.

Apache leaders such as Mangas Coloradas, Cochise, Victorio, Juh, Delshay, and Geronimo emerged as symbols of resistance, leading their warriors in raids against non-Apache settlements and military outposts. These leaders abandoned the traditional small-scale raiding parties and instead mobilized large armies of warriors. Facing them were notable officers such as General George Crook, Christopher "Kit" Carson, General William Tecumseh Sherman, and General Oliver Otis Howard.

Over three decades, Americans, both civilian and military, engaged in relentless battles with Apache warriors across a vast territory stretching from southern Arizona to New Mexico and into Mexico. The fighting was brutal, and the U.S. Army struggled to gain an advantage until it began incorporating Apache scouts into its ranks.

The Bitter End: Surrender, Imprisonment, and Legacy

By the 1880s, many Apache bands had negotiated settlements with the government and moved to reservations. However, some bands continued to resist, and government officials often struggled to distinguish between settled Apache and raiding parties. This resulted in heavy-handed responses that further escalated tensions and drew more Apache into the conflict.

In 1886, the Army deployed over 5,000 soldiers to wear down and secure the surrender of Geronimo and his remaining 30 followers at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona. This event is generally considered the end of the Apache Wars, although sporadic conflicts between citizens and Apache continued for years.

After Geronimo’s surrender, the 65-year-old war chief and his band were exiled to Florida, separated from their families for over two years. The Chiricahua Apache who had been moved to Florida were already suffering from malaria, and they were subsequently relocated to Mount Vernon, Alabama. Meanwhile, their children were sent to schools in Pennsylvania to assimilate into American culture. After two years of imprisonment in Florida, Geronimo and his band were also moved to Alabama and finally reunited with their families.

General Crook advocated for the relocation of the Chiricahua Apache to the Fort Sill Reservation in Oklahoma, a more familiar environment. After eight years, the remaining 119 surviving warriors were finally sent to Oklahoma.

Geronimo never returned to his native land but lived long enough to become a celebrity, signing autographs and even riding in Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade in 1905. Once considered the "worst Indian of all time," Geronimo became one of the most famous Native Americans in history, touring the nation and performing in fairs and exhibitions such as the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.

Even after the official end of the Apache Wars, small Apache bands continued their attacks, prompting retaliatory searches and destroy missions by soldiers and local militia. It was not until 1906 that the last groups of Apache who had evaded U.S. Army border control were forced back onto the reservation.

The Apache Wars resulted in devastating losses for the Apache people, with an estimated 900 warriors killed and thousands more losing their land, homes, families, sustenance, and culture. The wars remain a poignant reminder of the complex and often tragic history of the American West, a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance and the enduring scars of conflict.