Fort Apache, Arizona – Warring with the Indians
Nestled within the rugged landscape of eastern Arizona, Fort Apache stands as a silent testament to a tumultuous period in American history. Established in 1870, this military outpost played a pivotal role in the Indian Wars, serving as a focal point for conflict and uneasy coexistence between the U.S. Army and the Apache tribes. From its initial purpose as a guardian of the White Mountain Reservation to its eventual abandonment in 1924, Fort Apache witnessed a dramatic chapter in the American West, one marked by both violence and fleeting moments of peace.
The story of Fort Apache begins with a series of name changes, reflecting the evolving relationship between the military and the indigenous population. Initially christened Camp Ord in honor of General O.C. Ord, Commander of Arizona, the post underwent several transformations in its early months. It was briefly known as Camp Mogollon in August, followed by Camp Thomas in September, before finally settling on the name Camp Apache on February 2, 1871. This final designation was intended as a gesture of goodwill towards the very Apache people the soldiers stationed there would soon find themselves in conflict with. The irony of this gesture would become painfully apparent in the years that followed.
Strategically situated at the end of a military road on the White Mountain Reservation, Fort Apache’s primary mission was to safeguard the White Mountain Agency. Adjacent to the San Carlos Reservation, it worked in conjunction with Fort Thomas, which oversaw the San Carlos Agency. However, these reservations, intended to confine and control the Apache, became hotbeds of unrest and resentment.
Several factors contributed to the volatile atmosphere within the reservations. Unhealthy living conditions, overcrowding, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction plagued the inhabitants. Inefficient and often corrupt agents, coupled with friction between civil and military authorities, further exacerbated the situation. The U.S. government’s attempts to transform nomadic Apache warriors into settled farmers proved largely unsuccessful, adding to their frustration and disillusionment. Furthermore, encroachment on reservation lands by settlers and miners ignited further anger and resentment. As a result, many Apache individuals and groups chose to abandon the reservations, returning to their traditional ways of hunting, gathering, and raiding, sparking widespread panic and outrage among the white settlers.
In 1871, General George Crook, a seasoned Indian fighter with a proven track record in the Snake War in Idaho and Oregon, was appointed commander of the Department of Arizona. Recognizing the limitations of conventional military tactics against the skilled and resourceful Apache warriors, Crook adopted a different approach. He understood that to effectively combat the Apache, he needed to understand their ways and leverage their knowledge of the terrain.
One of Crook’s most significant contributions was the recruitment of Apache Scouts. During his first visit to Fort Apache, he enlisted approximately fifty men to serve as scouts, providing invaluable assistance to the Army. These scouts, intimately familiar with the landscape, customs, and strategies of their people, played a crucial role in the Army’s success during the Apache Wars that ensued over the next fifteen years. Their knowledge of the terrain, their ability to track and interpret signs, and their understanding of Apache tactics proved indispensable in the pursuit of renegade bands.
Following the recruitment of the scouts, Crook launched his Tonto Basin campaign, establishing his headquarters at Camp Verde. During the winter of 1872-73, mobile detachments, guided by Apache scouts, relentlessly pursued renegade Tonto Apache and their Yavapai allies throughout the Tonto Basin and surrounding tablelands. Through a series of approximately twenty skirmishes, in which an estimated 200 Indians were killed, the Army gradually wore down their adversaries, forcing them to surrender or retreat.
On April 5, 1879, Camp Apache’s significance was formally recognized with its redesignation as Fort Apache. The change reflected the post’s growing importance as a strategic military installation in the ongoing conflict with the Apache.
The battles with the Apache continued relentlessly, with soldiers engaging in skirmishes and campaigns against various renegade bands led by renowned warriors such as Geronimo, Natchez, Chato, and Chihuahua. These conflicts were characterized by brutal fighting, daring raids, and relentless pursuit across the harsh terrain of Arizona. The Apache, fiercely independent and deeply protective of their ancestral lands, proved to be formidable adversaries, employing guerilla tactics and exploiting their knowledge of the environment to their advantage.
The Apache Wars finally came to an end in 1886, following the final capture of Geronimo. His surrender marked a turning point in the history of the Apache people, effectively ending their armed resistance against the U.S. government. While the capture of Geronimo brought an end to the major conflicts, the impact of the wars and the forced relocation of the Apache people would have lasting consequences for their culture and way of life.
Although its days as a frontier battleground were over, Fort Apache remained an active military post until 1924. The Apache Scouts, who had served with distinction under General Crook and his successors, were transferred to Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona, where they continued to serve until their eventual retirement. The last three Apache Scouts retired in 1947, marking the end of an era.
With the closure of the fort, the buildings and grounds were turned over to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Today, several of the original structures still stand on the White Mountain Reservation, serving as tangible reminders of the fort’s rich history and the complex relationship between the U.S. Army and the Apache people.
The old Fort Apache Adjutant’s Office now serves as the post office, providing a vital service to the community. A log building, believed to be one of the oldest structures on the site and purportedly the residence of General Crook, and the stone officers’ quarters are now used as residences for teachers and other Bureau of Indian Affairs employees. The sutler’s store and commissary building, cavalry barns, and guardhouse remain largely unaltered, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the soldiers and civilians who once inhabited the fort. One of the original four barracks, an adobe building showing signs of disrepair, houses the farm shop for the Indian school. The parade ground serves as a recreational area for the community. The cemetery, while no longer containing the remains of soldiers, holds the bodies of Indian scouts, honoring their service and sacrifice.
Fort Apache is located at the Fort Apache Indian Reservation headquarters, adjacent to the town of Fort Apache. Visitors can reach the site from Globe by taking US 60 northeast for 66 miles, then turning east on State 73 and driving approximately 27 miles to Fort Apache.
For those interested in learning more about the history of Fort Apache and the Apache people, the Fort Apache Historic Park offers a wealth of information and resources.