Geronimo And The Other Indian example essay topic

... Mexicans, Americans, and Indians. In 1858 Mexican soldiers killed his mother, wife, and children, and Geronimo vowed to take revenge. No settler on either side of the border -- and no fellow Indian -- was immune to his attacks. Both the Mexican and the American armies, aided by rival Apaches, pursued him for more than ten years.

Though they captured Geronimo twice, he escaped both times. In 1886 Geronimo surrendered for the last time, but on his own terms. He remained in the custody of the army, and after a brief imprisonment, he worked as an army scout in Oklahoma. Later in life, with few other resources available, Geronimo capitalized on his fame, selling souvenirs and appearing at public events such as Teddy Roosevelt's 1905 inaugural parade. Said a judge who presided at his trial, 'There is not, probably, in the history or tradition or myths of the human race another instance of such prolonged resistance against such tremendous odds. ' Geronimo (1829-1909), Native American, chief of the Chiricahua Apache tribe, born in present-day Clifton, Arizona.

After his wife, children, and mother were killed by Mexicans in 1858, he participated in a number of raids against Mexican and American settlers, but eventually settled on a reservation. In 1876 the U.S. government attempted to move the Chiricahua from their traditional home to San Carlos, New Mexico; Geronimo then began ten years of intermittent raids against white settlements, alternating with periods of peaceful farming on the San Carlos reservation. In March 1886, the American general George Crook captured Geronimo and forced a treaty under which the Chiricahua would be relocated in Florida; two days later Geronimo escaped and continued his raids. General Nelson Miles then took over the pursuit of Geronimo, who was chased into Mexico and captured the following September. The Native Americans were sent to Florida, Alabama, and finally to Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, where they settled as farmers. Geronimo eventually adopted Christianity.

He took part in the inaugural procession of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905. Geronimo dictated his memoirs, published in 1906 as Geronimo's Story of His Life. He died at Fort Sill on February 17, 1909. Apaches today And there is no question of their modern identity. Through steadfastness, strategy, and an understanding of business they have done well for themselves. Money from the wool of their thousands of sheep is supplemented handsomely by income from their hundreds of gas and oil wells.

They have been able to adapt to many cultural and environmental changes in just 200 years. Though the old ways are maintained, the Jicarilla have become modern warriors. They are brilliant business people with strong leaders, and are also very successful in their dealings with the U.S. Government... Geronimo was born in June of 1829 in No- Ca~non, Arizona. His tribal name was Goyathley, which means "one who yawns". Later in life he became known as Geronimo, "Little Jerome".

The Mexicans called him that in derision. As he learned to talk his mother told him stories of the sun, moon, stars, wild beasts, and Used the "Great Spirit" who made everything and should be worshipped. He spent the first few years of his childhood running free and playing with his three brothers and four sisters until he was old enough to be put to work in the fields. When he was 8 or 9 years old he began hunting.

He first learned to stalk deer by crawling long distances from bush to bush, taking hours to creep close enough to launch his arrow. As he grew older he went after bigger game such as bears and mountain lions. The only weapons he used were spears and arrows and he was never injured in a fight with any of them. When he was 17 he was admitted into the council of warriors. He could come and go as he pleased and was able to sit in at talks, he could get married.

Shortly after he asked Alope's father for her name in marriage. They had been lovers fora long time before this. To insult him, her father told Geronimo she was worth many ponies than he knew Geronimo had. In a few days Geronimo was seen riding up in a cloud of dust driving a herd of ponies. He gave the ponies toAlope's father and proudly rode off with her. They made a home together not far from his mother's teepee.

Alope was not very strong, but she gave Geronimo three children. In the summer of 1858, when he was near the age of 30 he accompanied his tribe to Mexico to trade. They made camp a short distance from a town. When most of the men rode into town to barter with the citizens, they left only a small guard over their possessions, wives, and children. On their way back they encountered fugitive women from their tribe who told them Mexicans raided the camp. They stole their ponies and valuables and killed most of the women and children.

The braves separated and approached the camp from different directions. The information was true. Geronimo found his wife, three children and mother slain. Geronimo recalls. ".. there were no lights in camp, so without being noticed I silently turned away and stood by the river.

How long I stood there I do not know but when I saw the warriors arranging for council I took my place". This incident marked a turning point in his life-Geronimo learned to hate that day and he never forgot the lesson the Mexicans taught him. Within a few months three tribes agreed to join them on the warpath. They traveled silently and swiftly on foot. Horses would leave too plain a trail and on foot they could dodge and twist around the mountains so they could not be followed. When they reached the town of Arise eight men were sent out to parley with them.

The Indians killed and then scalped them in plain sight of the villagers, in order to draw the Mexicans out into an open fight and was successful. The next morning two groups of Calvary and infantry were sent out. Geronimo recognized some of them who took part in the killing of his family, and his hate blazed even more. The battle between the red and white was very fierce and the Mexicans were shocked at seeing the Indians stand so firmly against them.

As the Mexicans tried to push them off the field the Indians would disappear and then reappear in clusters everywhere. Geronimo arranged his men in a hollow circle near the river where they were sheltered by timber. When the Mexicans tried to dislodge them he threw his men to attack from the rear confusing the Mexicans. However, the Mexicans withstood the attack and the fight lasted for two hours. After only eight men were left, four Mexicans and four Indians, the Indians arrows were all gone and their spears were broken in the bodies of enemies. Left with their bare hands and small knives to fight with, they turned to face the Mexicans who fired and two warriors fell.

Geronimo and the other Indian turned to flee but his companion was struck down. Geronimo was left to fight the four Mexican soldiers. He pulled a spear out of a body and killed the closest to him. He stole his saber and killed the next one.

By now he was covered in blood ready to kill the other two but they had disappeared. Other Indians saw what took place and rejoiced because the massacre was now avenged. Geronimo was elected war chief of their tribe. Across thousands of square miles of the Great American Desert, Geronimo, along with Chief Ju hand a handful of Apache men, women and children, would lead thousands of soldiers of two nations on bloody chase. Consistently outgunned and perennially out manned, Geronimo's legend would grow as he continually overcame enormous odds, perfidious government agents and Apache scouts recruited by the US Cavalry. Geronimo had had a taste of blood and he couldn't go back.

He planned series of raid on the Mexican towns and struck quickly, killing anyone in his path. He stole horses and headed for the Sierra Madre mountains. He continued this for years. Geronimo was wounded seven times throughout these years and once was left for dead. In 1868, Mexicans rounded up the horses and mules of a tribe not far from Geronimo's.

It had been a year since any there were any raids on Mexico and it was unexpected. Later that afternoon two Mexican scouts were seen near his settlement and were killed. The Mexicans got away with their horses before they were seen. Geronimo took twenty warriors to trail the Mexicans. Along the way they attacked some cowboys and took their stock.

Nine cowboys were trailing them in turn. He sent the stock ahead with some of his warriors and stayed behind with three warriors to intercept the cowboys. They spotted the cowboys camp, waited until they were asleep then leda way their horses without waking them. They rode on the horses to catch up to the rest of the warriors traveling at night. The cowboys did not follow them and never heard anything from the Mexicans about the incident. This incident and the ruse paly ed on the cowboys led to more fame and the legend of Geronimo grew.

After this it was a long time before there was any interaction between the Indians and Mexicans again. In the spring of 1871 Apaches drifted into Camp Grant for protection and food. The person in charge of Camp Grant was Lieutenant Whitman. He took an interest in the Indians and issued them rations and gave them a place for their teepees.

On April 30 Lieutenant Whitman received news some white men were going to attack the camp and kill all the Indians. By the time Lieutenant Whitman got there it was too late. After this there were many fights between the Indians and the white men for quite a few years. Even though most of the Indians wanted peace all the treaties were broken by one side or the other. In 1863, Mangus- Colorado (their chief) went to make a peace treaty with some white men at a settlement at Apache Tej o, New Mexico.

It was agreed they would issue blankets, flour, beef, and other various supplies from the government. When he returned and gave this news to his tribe Geronimo didn't believe the white men would follow their part of the bargain. The tribe decided to test their good faith. Mangus-Colorado returned to get some provisions. He, and with the men from his tribe who accompanied him, never returned. Geronimo and the rest of the tribe heard news they were captured and killed.

The tribe escaped into the mountains in fear the white men would come after them next. They were attacked several times by United States troops and all their valuables stolen. Geronimo's tribe was starving and heard that Chief Victorio of the Chi henne Apaches was holding a meeting with white men in New Mexico. His tribe had always been friendly with them and they had provisions so the went to meet with them. Victorio gave them supplies for the winter and they stayed with them for about a year. After they left they ran into General Howard.

He issued them clothing rations, and supplies from the government. These rations were issued about once a month. After some fights between the Indians of different tribes, Geronimo and his tribe decided to leave the Apache Pass and rejoined Victorio's band. After they arrived in New Mexico messengers were sent for Victorio and Geronimo. They seemed to be friendly so they accompanied them to meet the officers. They were brought to headquarters and were tried by court-martial.

After answering a few questions Victorio was released and Geronimo was put in chains and sentenced to the guardhouse. Geronimo was told this was because he left the Apache Pass. Seven other Apaches were also sentenced to the guardhouse. Geronimo did not know he was not allowed to leave. The other Indians had followed Geronimo, not knowing they were doing anything wrong. After four months he was transferred to San Carlos and released.

There was no longer any trouble with the soldiers, but he didn't feel comfortable or welcome at the post. He and a few of his followers lived above San Carlos. In the summer of 1883 they decided to leave the reservation rather than go to Fort Thomas as they were asked to. They traveled into Mexico and decided to remain there for fear of treachery. There were many fights between the Indians and the Mexicans so the Indians decided to break up into smaller groups and leave. Six men and four women accompanied Geronimo to New Mexico.

Along the way they killed every Mexican they came across and stole their supplies. They later met up with their tribe in the Sierra de Antunez Mountains. United States soldiers trailed them and they had fights with them almost every day. Eventually the Apache made a treaty with the Mexicans agreeing they wouldn't fight anymore and the Indians would return to the United States.

They hoped to make a treaty with the United States as well. Geronimo sent word to Captain Lawton " seen he wanted to make a treaty with them. On his way he was told General Miles would like to make a treaty with him so he went to see him. General Miles told him he was sent by the President of the United States to speak with him and would like peace between Geronimo and the white men.

They both took an oath they would not do any wrong to each other. General Miles told Geronimo if he would surrender and become a man of peace he would be give a house, land, and men to work on his land. Even though Geronimo did not fully believe him he agreed and laid down his arms. As Geronimo thought, General Miles did not stand up to his end of the bargain. General Nelson A. Miles was then appointed the new commander of the Army in the Southwest. He set a three month limit on Geronimo's freedom.

More than 5,000 troops were under General Miles' command at that time, including elements of the 4th, 6th and 10th Cavalry. He gave the principal pursuit mission to the 4th because it was headquartered at Fort Huachuca, the base of operations for the campaign. The Army had permission to go to Mexico in pursuit. Captain Henry Lawton, commanding officer of 'B' Troop, 4th Cavalry, was an experienced soldier who knew the ways of the Apaches. His tactics were to wear them down by constant pursuit. Stationed at the fort at that time were many men who would later become well known in the Army: Colonel W.B. Royall, commanding officer of the fort and the 4th Cavalry, who was responsible for the logistical support of the Geronimo campaign; Leonard Wood, who went along on the expedition as contract surgeon; Lieutenant Colonel G.H. Forsyht; Captain C.A.P. Hatfield; Captain J.H. Do rst; and First Lieutenant Powhatan H. Clarke, who was immortalized by the artist, Remington, for saving a black trooper during the campaign.

With the fort as advance base for the pursuit forces, the heliograph communications network, which General Miles had established in Arizona and New Mexico, was used effectively for logistical purposes. However, the Indians and the Army were conducting their chase in Mexico where the system did not extend. So the most the heliograph could do in the campaign was relay messages brought by fast riders from the border. April 1, 1886 was the date that Captain Lawton led his troopers with two pack trains and 30 Indian Scouts through the Huachuca Mountains to Nogales, Mexico, to pick up Geronimo's trail.

Though various units would join the pursuit later and separate to follow trails left by the Indians back and forth across the border, there were few times that Army troops and members of Geronimo's band would come face to face. Four Months later, Captain Lawton and Leonard Wood were sent back to Fort Huachcua, worn down by the rough country and grueling campaign. More than 3,000 miles were covered by the Indians and the Army during the chase, which took a month longer than General Miles had planned. The men had walked and ridden through some of the most inaccessible desert land in North America, in heat sometimes above 110 degrees. At the turn of the century, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in America. Everyone was susceptible; but some were more susceptible than others.

Northern Europeans, who'd been exposed for generations, had acquired some resistance to TB, but populations that had never faced the disease had almost none. In the fall of 1886, 5000 US soldiers captured a force of 35 Chiricahua Apaches that had had never been touched by TB. The rag-tag band of warriors, women and children was headed by Chief Naic he and his now-legendary medicine man, Geronimo. The remainder of the tribe, 500 in all, had been living peacefully on reservations in Arizona; but the government sent them with Geronimo's band to a Florida prison.

On the journey from the desert southwest to the humid east coast, tuberculosis attacked the Chiricahua for the first time. After ten days on the train, the Apaches were interned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine. They were crowded together on the fort's parapet; their outhouse was sandy floor a few feet from the water supply. Weakened by the journey, sick from unfamiliar food and filthy living conditions, the Indians did not have the strength to fight the disease.

Fearing a mutiny, the army shipped Geronimo and his seventeen men to Fort Pickens, an island prison three hundred miles to the west. Local authorities began to ferry tourists across Pensacola Bay to meet and mingle with the famous Apache warriors. Geronimo played to the sympathies of the tourists... ladies were going back and forth bringing blueberry muffins, shirts, pants, food to the 17 warriors and none of them fell ill. The army moved the remaining adults to Fort Vernon, in a humid, swampy part of Alabama; their TB promptly became worse. Meanwhile, the children were sent away to the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania.

There were 116 children initially removed from their parents. They lived in very close dormitory quarters. Of the 116 Apache children at Carlisle, 37 died from tuberculosis. Captain Henry Pratt who was the superintendent of Carlisle at the time devised a plan and that was to put terminally ill Apache children on trains and send them back to the prison camp at Mt. Vernon, Alabama to die and by doing that, he avoided the statistics that were alarming government officials. Some of the children were so ill that they died en route.

When the train arrived at the Mt. Vernon prison camp, those children who managed to survive the trip would unload the corpses of their friends and put them into the arms of the waiting parents who buried them. This was the case of Chap po who was at the Carlisle school. He was sent home and Geronimo took him off the train, three days laterChappo, the son of Geronimo, died.

Out of a population of 519 Chiricahua who were first imprisoned, approximately 300 died as victims of tuberculosis during their 27 years as American prisoners of war.