Introduction
Apache refers to the Athapaskan speaking peoples of the American southwest, in the present-day states of Arizona and New Mexico.
This series will explore the critical battles, wars and movements of Apacheria.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/apacheria
Context
General George Crook relieves General Stoneman of command shortly after the Camp Grant massacre. The change in command was reportedly in the works before Grant, for what it’s worth.
In any case, Crook was no joke.
First Mission - June-December 1871
Crook was a boot on the ground general. These are the inaugural forays into Apache territory Crook upon arrival. At several points along the way, like at Fort Apache, north of Camp Grant, Crook decamped for a spell before continuing on. Crook blazes a trail to Camp Verde at the close of this campaign.
[1] General Crook arrives handpicked heavy hitters Ross and Bourke in hand.
[2] Camp Lowell
[3] Camp Bowie
[4] Captain Moore bungles an engagement with Apache between the Pinalenos and Dos Cabezas (two heads) mountains.
[5] Bivouac at Cam Grant.
[6] Crook led his command out of the canyon, probably along the northeastern face of the Pinalenos and Santa Teresa Mountains, to the Gila River, down to the San Carlos, where he met with a band of friendly Apache.
[7] Bivouac at Fort Apache
[8]
After leaving General Springs the command had its only brush with Apaches. ….a shower of arrows fell upon them from a small party of Tontos… ‘their bows were wheels of fire. their eyes gleaming with a snaky black fire, long unkempt hair flowing down over their shoulders, bodies almost naked, faces streaked with mescal juice and the blood of antelope."‘ - Thrapp. pg. 101
First Blood
D-Day November 15, 1872
Crook’s instructions to his three columns: It is best if they surrender. If they prefer to fight, give them all the fighting they want, and in one good dose instead of many petty engagements…. hunt them down until the last hostile is killed or captured. - Thrapp. pg. 120
[1] December 27 - The combined Browns-Burns command, 220 men, bivouacked in a deep canyon at the base of Four Peaks. John Gregory Bourke, a soldier attached the column, reported what happened at the battle of the Salt River Cave.
We charged in after pouring in a withering fire… We found 57 dead… 20 women and children taken as prisoners and considerable spoils; mescal, baskets, seeds, hides, skins… - Bourke.
The battle of Salt Creek annihilated Nanni-Chaddi’s band of Apache, whose raiders had been attacking settlers along the Gila and Salt rivers. The attack proved that the troops, with the aid of Apache scouts, could ferret out the most secluded retreats and destroy the enemy in their stronghold, and demonstrated Crook’s bulldog persistency. - Thrapp. pg. 130
Related
What was happening outside Apacheria in the 1860s?
The war between the states from 1860-1865 pulled the best officers and soldiers away from the frontiers of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and other interior states east.
References
Gwynne, S. C. (2010). Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history.
Cornelius C. Smith, Jr. Fort HuaChuca The story of a frontier post.
Thrapp, D. L. (1975). The conquest of Apacheria. University of Oklahoma Press.
Worcester, D. E. (1979). The Apaches Eagles of the Southwest. University of Oklahoma Press.
Melody, M. E. (1989). The Apaches. Chelsea House Publishers.