The story of the legendary Apache Geronimo, the last Indian to surrender to the Americans: 5,000 soldiers were sent on his trail

In March 1886, the famous Apache warrior Geronimo surrendered to the US Army after years of fighting a guerrilla war with the occupiers, who killed his family and drove them from their ancient land.

Geronimo (Goyaale) was born in 1829 in No-Doyohn Canyon in Mexico. Legend has it that Geronimo, who belonged to a small clan of the Chricahua tribe, Bedonkohe, was a very talented hunter who would have swallowed the heart of his first prey to ensure his future successes, according to the biography given by Historia.

Geronimo was part of an Apache community numbering about 8,000 people. The Apaches were surrounded by enemies: not only Mexicans, but also other tribes, such as Navajo or Comanche. Robbing the neighbors was also the order of the day. In response, the Mexican government established bounties for the scalping of Indians, including children. This did not deter Geronimo and his men in any way.

Geronimo’s family, killed by Mexican soldiers

Meanwhile, the Apache fell in love with a girl named Alope, with whom he had three children. While he was away on a trip, Mexican soldiers attacked his camp and killed his family. Following Apache tradition, he set fire to his remaining possessions and then, overcome with grief, retreated into the wilderness to mourn his dead.

Geronimo’s wife and son, 1884-1885 (Wikipedia)

Thirsty for revenge, Geronimo gathered an army of 200 men and they all went to hunt the Mexican soldiers who killed his family. After 10 years of harassment, Geronimo took his revenge on the Mexican government.

After the war between the Americans and the Mexicans ended by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the former seized large pieces of territory, including that belonging to the Apaches. Encouraged by the discovery of gold in the Southwest, settlers and miners invaded their lands, disrupting their settlements.

The Apaches intensified their attacks, which included violent ambushes. But the leader of the Chiricahua tribe, Geronimo’s father-in-law, named Cochise, sensed where things were going.

The Apache ended the war with the Americans in 1872 and agreed to the organization of a reservation for his community. After his death, the federal government reneged on its agreement, moving the Chiricahua Apache north with members of other tribes so that settlers could move onto their former lands. This decision enraged Geronimo even more, who resumed the attacks.

However, the Indian was captured by the authorities in 1877, sending him to the San Carlos reservation. After four years, he escaped and went to attack the Americans again.

Followed by his faithful friends, the Indian crossed the southwest. The Apaches, knowing Arizona and Mexico well, were very difficult to catch.

Apache Geronimo (History)

During the trip, Geronimo acquired a mystical aura, in large part due to the newspapers closely following the actions of the American military. Just hearing the name caused panic and horror. His rebellions and constant flight embarrassed the powerless authorities before him. At one point, 5,000 soldiers were following him.

In the summer of 1886, the Indian, who had become a legend, surrendered. He was the last of the Chiricahua tribe to do so. In the following years, he and his group were taken first to a prison in Florida, then to camps in Alabama and Oklahoma, spending nearly 20 years imprisoned as prisoners of war.

Although under constant surveillance, Geronimo became a kind of star even among his white enemies. The curious crowds came to catch a glimpse of the famous warrior.

In 1905 he published an autobiography, and in the same year he was granted a private audience with President Franklin Roosevelt, where he tried in vain to persuade him to let his men return to Arizona.

He died four years later, regretting on his deathbed that he surrendered. In 2010, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution recognizing his merits and strategic ability and guerrilla warfare.