EARLY APACHE WARRIORS AND CHIEFS

Geronimo (1829 – 1909) was born in present day New Mexico at the head waters of the Gila River. Geronimo was the last warrior fighting for the Chiricahua Apache. He became famous for standing against the U.S. Government and for holding out the longest. He was a great spiritual leader and medicine man. Geronimo was highly sought by Apache chiefs for his wisdom. He is said to have had supernatural powers. Geronimo could see the future and walk without creating footprints. He could keep the dawn from rising to protect his people.

Geronimo’s final surrender in 1886 was the last significant Apache guerrilla action in the United States. At surrender, his group consisted of only 16 warriors, 12 women, and six children. Following his surrender, Geronimo and 300 of his fellow Chiricahua were shipped to Fort Marion, Florida, and became prisoners of war for 27 years. On February 17, 1909, Geronimo died unable to return to his homeland. He is buried in the Apache Cemetery in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His descendants reside on the Mescalero Apache Reservation today.

Mangas Coloradas (1797 – 1862) was a Chiricahua Chief and natural leader because of his intelligence and size. Unusually tall, he was over six feet in height. Mangas united the Apache tribes and led them in a successful war of revenge and cleared the New Mexico area of white settlers. When the Americans took possession of New Mexico in 1846, he defended Apache Pass against Gen. James H. Carleton’s California Column. Leading his warriors in continuous warfare until 1862, he was killed by Union soldiers at Fort McLane. Today his descendants reside on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Victorio (around 1825 – 1880) was a Chiricahua Chief of the Warm Springs Apaches. When his people were removed from their ancestral home to the desolate reservation at San Carlos, Arizona, Victorio bolted for Mexico with a group of followers. He and his people terrorized the border country with continual raids. Victorio always managed to elude his pursuers. In October 1880, Victorio died at a place called Tres Castillos while waiting for a small raiding party to acquire the ammunition they needed. Victorio was taken by surprise when General Joaquin Terrazas and his army attacked Victorio and his band of 78 Apaches. His descendants reside on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Lozen (late 1840s – 1886) was a Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache and a skillful warrior, a prophet and an outstanding medicine woman. She was the sister to Chief Victorio. She was also known as a “shield to her people” History has it that Lozen was able to use her powers in battle to learn the movements of the enemy and that she helped each band of Apaches to successfully avoid capture. After Victorio’s death, Lozen continued to ride with Chief Nana and eventually joined forces with Geronimo’s band until she finally surrendered with the last band of Apaches in 1886. She died of an illness in Mount Vernon Barracks in Mobile, Alabama. Today, Lozen’s descendants reside on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Cochise (unknown – 1874) was born in present day Arizona. Cochise led the Chiricahua band of the Apache during a period of violent social upheaval. In 1850, the United States took control over the territory that today comprises Arizona and New Mexico. Not hostile to the white settlers at first, he kept the peace. Cochise is reputed to have been the strategist and a leader who’s never been conquered in a battle. For 10 years Cochise and his warriors fought the white settlers. Cochise surrendered to U.S. troops in 1871. Upon his death, he was secretly buried somewhere in or near his impregnable fortress in the Dragoon Mountains. His descendants reside on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

This Mescalero Apache cultural and historical information was compiled by Kate Geronimo Hernandez, Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. E-mail Kate at kghernandez@imgresort for permission to
reproduce in whole or in part the information contained herein.