Nana – Oldest Apache Warrior
Among the Mimbreno Apache people, a figure of immense respect and formidable reputation emerged in the early 19th century. Known as Kas-tziden, meaning "War Leader," he would become widely recognized as Nana, an Apache warrior whose life spanned nearly a century and was defined by unwavering resistance and strategic brilliance. Born around 1800, Nana‘s life unfolded against a backdrop of escalating conflict between the Apache and the encroaching forces of the United States and Mexico.
The formative years of Nana were steeped in the traditions and survival skills of the Apache. He grew up immersed in the intricate knowledge of the land, mastering horsemanship, and learning the art of warfare. He eventually married the sister of Geronimo, solidifying a bond that would see them fighting alongside each other in the years to come. Early in his warrior life, he fought alongside the revered Mangas Coloradas, absorbing his leadership and tactical acumen. The alliance continued until Mangas Coloradas’s death in 1863, a significant loss that undoubtedly shaped Nana‘s future actions.
The Apache Indian Wars, a protracted and brutal struggle for land and sovereignty, became the defining context of Nana‘s adult life. He allied himself with Victorio, another prominent Apache chief, and together they led raids into Texas and Mexico. These raids were not acts of wanton violence, but desperate measures to secure resources and defend their ancestral lands against relentless encroachment. The landscape of the Southwest, with its rugged mountains, arid deserts, and sparse settlements, became the stage for a deadly game of cat and mouse between the Apache warriors and their pursuers.
In the fall of 1880, tragedy struck when Victorio was killed in an ambush at Tres Castillos, Mexico. Nana was not present at the main engagement. He and a small scouting party were searching for vital supplies and ammunition at the time of the attack. The discovery of the fallen warriors filled them with grief and a burning desire for retribution. Recognizing the overwhelming odds, Nana led his remaining followers into the sanctuary of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico, where they regrouped and planned their next move.
What followed was a testament to Nana‘s indomitable spirit and extraordinary military prowess. Despite his advanced age – he was already in his eighties – and physical ailments, including lameness in his left foot, rheumatism, and failing eyesight, he launched a daring campaign of revenge in January 1881. Leading a band that rarely exceeded forty warriors, and often dwindled to as few as fifteen, Nana crossed the border back into the United States, determined to strike back against those who had wronged his people.
His strategy was one of lightning raids and calculated ambushes. Nana‘s warriors targeted Army supply trains and isolated settlements, striking swiftly and then disappearing into the vastness of the desert. They possessed an intimate knowledge of the terrain, allowing them to navigate the treacherous landscape with ease and evade their pursuers with remarkable skill.
The impact of Nana‘s campaign was considerable. In the early months of 1881, his band terrorized southern New Mexico. They attacked small camps, killing miners near Chloride and wounding others. They ambushed travelers on the Silver City-Mesilla Road, leaving a trail of death and destruction. In June, they raided and burned a ranch property near Lake Valley, further escalating the conflict.
The U.S. Army and local civilian posses responded with increased efforts to capture or eliminate Nana and his warriors. A combined posse pursued them into a canyon west of Lake Valley, but Nana, anticipating their movements, set a deadly trap. The Apache warriors unleashed a devastating ambush, killing the posse’s leaders and inflicting heavy casualties. A fierce gun battle ensued, lasting for six grueling hours, resulting in the deaths of at least four soldiers, with more succumbing to their wounds later.
Two months later, Nana led his band into Arizona, where they became involved in the Battle of Cibecue on August 30, 1881. This engagement, fueled by religious fervor and misunderstandings, further inflamed tensions between the Apache and the U.S. military. The U.S. Cavalry relentlessly pursued Nana and his men, engaging them in at least seven separate battles. However, Nana‘s tactical brilliance and the Apache’s mastery of guerilla warfare consistently frustrated their efforts.
Finally, the relentless pressure forced Nana and his band to retreat back into Mexico. The U.S. Army, weary of the chase and facing mounting losses, temporarily abandoned the pursuit, hoping that the Mexican authorities would succeed where they had failed, as they had done with Victorio. However, Nana was not finished. He soon joined forces with Geronimo, renewing the struggle for another two years. Their alliance represented a powerful symbol of Apache resistance.
In 1883, Nana‘s long and storied career as a war leader came to an end. He was captured in a surprise attack by General George Crook and sent to the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona. However, his spirit remained unbroken. He escaped with Geronimo and fought alongside him during the final days of their resistance.
In 1886, both warriors were once again forced to surrender to General George Crook. This time, the U.S. authorities were determined to prevent any further escapes. Nana, Geronimo, and their warriors were sent to a prison in Fort Marion, Florida, far from their homeland and the familiar landscapes of the Southwest.
After years of imprisonment, Nana was finally allowed to return west in 1894, but not to his ancestral lands. He was relocated to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a far cry from the mountains and deserts he knew so well. He died there two years later, on May 19, 1896, at the remarkable age of 96. Nana‘s life was a testament to the resilience and determination of the Apache people in the face of overwhelming adversity. He had the longest fighting career of any of the Apache warriors. His legacy as a skilled strategist and courageous leader continues to resonate today.