The Apache Campaign of 1885 to 1886 written by Clarence Chrisman

.(Continued from last issue)

Let us go back a little in time and see what this campaign was about. Although Geronimo was not a regular Apache Chief being more of a "medicine man" he had a great influence over the members of his tribe, the Chiricahua Apache. And over a period of some ten or twelve years had frequently lead raids of these Indians on raids through Arizona and New Mexico and old Mexico. One of his favorite tricks was to dash into old Mexico, murder Mexicans right and left, stampede herds of their horses and other stock and drive them up into Arizona. These exploits were both amusing and profitable to the Indians but not to those who were raided and who lived to tell the tale. They were anything but funny. In May 1885 having no doubt run out of supplies and feeling that it was about time to replenish the larder, Geronimo and several other so called chiefs of the tribe organized another band of malcontents, several hundred in all counting the squaws and papooses and left the reservation behind. Again headed south towards the land of plenty. Thus began the historic Apache campaign of 1885 to 86 which was not brought to a close until September the 4^th 1886 when the hostiles surrendered to General Nelson A Miles at Skeleton Canyon not far from Fronteras old Mexico. Geronimo and all his followers were then placed on a train and taken to Florida. During the period of the entire campaign over 200 citizens, ranchmen, miners, prospectors, women and children were murdered in cold blood by these Indians. Very few soldiers were killed or even injured, their engagements with the hostiles were few and far between and usually took place only when the Indians had everything in their favor or were forced to give combat. The truth of the matter is that the hostiles kept as far away from Uncle Sam's men as possible. They did not want to fight us because they knew better. So the campaign of 1885 to 86 developed into a marching campaign and I have no doubt that in this respect it was the greatest campaign of all time. General Miles had superceded General Crook in May of 1886 and he immediately started all available troops in hot pursuit of the hostiles sometimes selecting for exceedingly long marches only such men as had been proved by experience to have the necessary stamina and courage to endure such an ordeal. Here's what the general himself telegraphed the war department September the 6^th 1886 concerning the troops and their marches.

"Too much credit cannot be given to the troops for their courage, fortitude, and tireless endurance. These gratifying results of the campaign and difficulties are due to their most laborious and dangerous service. The Indians have been pursued over two thousand miles in the heart of Arizona and Mexico through the most rugged mountain conditions. Captain Lawton's command alone has followed the hostiles over sixteen hundred miles over mountains from two thousand to ten thousand feet high and through canyons where every boulder was a fortress."

Most vivid of all in my memory are those long early marches often without no water and sometimes with mighty little to eat. Marches that exacted the last ounce of a man's strength where literally a man had to do or die for to be left behind on some of those vast stretches of burning sand would have meant certain death. A slow lingering horrible death with the sun flaming above you like a ball of molten brass and perhaps a few buzzards winging their way across your field of vision waiting, waiting patiently waiting.      (To be continued)