| Cochise, Chiricahua Apache Indians
Cochise
Born: approximately 1812 in the area of southeastern New Mexico
Died: June 8, 1874 on the Apache Reservation in Arizona
Until 1860, Cochise, was a Chiricahua Apache Chief. Cochise fought his old enemies, the Mexicans as if it was a way of life. To the Mexicans it was a nuisance factor not really all out war
When Cochise was falsely accused of kidnapping a young white American boy, life for Cochise and the Chiricahua Apache forever changed
In the name of justice a vengeful occupational need was filled by the army and bounty hunters to protect the white settlers. A combination of Indian scalps and ears were turned in to collect the bounty offered on Cochise and Chiricahua Apache Indians
These acts of false retaliatory aggression against Cochise and Chiricahua Apache Indians were the spark which set off eleven years of Apache guerilla warfare against the white settlers
In 1871, Cochise and his band of Chiricahua Apache Indians was finally forced to surrender but escaped for a short time in 1872
Cochise was highly respected by Thomas Jeffords who wrote that Cochise hated a liar. To a Chiricahua Apache Indian a liar was less than dung |
