The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Chief Cochise - Feb. 2nd, 2004

http://www.geocities.com/~zybt/warriors.htm ^ | Paul R. Machula

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
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for all those serving their country at this time.

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Chief Cochise
Shi-ka-she
(1812 - 1874)

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One of the most famous Apache warriors was the formidable Chiricahua Cochise. He is believed to have been born about 1805, and his father may have been an earlier Apache warrior called by the Mexicans "Pisago Cabezón." However, it is also possible that his father may have been "Reyes." There is no certainty in this regard. Reyes was killed by the American scalp hunter James "Don Santiago" Kirker near Galeana, Chihuahua, in July 1846.

Courtesy of Charles Parker California gallery owner Charles Parker recently uncovered this painting, identified as "Cochise, 1872," that Apache authority Edwin R. Sweeney says "appears to be the real thing."

At any rate, by the 1830s Cochise was already beginning to make a name for himself as a warrior. It must be remembered that the Chiricahua people roamed throughout southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico to deep into the Sierra Madre of northern Mexico. There were basically three bands: the central Chiricahua, to which Cochise belonged, whose basic territory was the southeastern Arizona; the Mimbreño people, who were in southwestern New Mexico (Victorio later became chief of this band), and the so-called Nednhi (means "enemy people" in Apache), whose later chief was Geronimo's cousin, Juh. All of these Chiricahuas were bitter enemies of Mexico. They frequently raided both Sonora and Chihuahua. Cochise himself is first recorded to have been in a fight with Mexicans in May 1832 somewhere on the Gila River.

The next time we are definitely aware of Cochise is when he participated in a peace treaty at Arizpe, Sonora, in 1836. He may have then settled in the Peloncillo Mountains, just north of Janos, Chihuahua, in 1842 or 1843. The peace did not last long. From 1847 on, Sonora was laid waste by the central band of Chiricahuas, at that time led by "Miguel Narbona." Cochise was in this band. Narbona died in 1856.


This illustration of Cochise is taken from Samuel Cozzen's "The Marvelous Country," a report of his trip through Apacheria, begun in 1858. No photograph of the great Chiricahua chief is known to exist.

In 1859 Indian agent Michael Steck found Cochise to be friendly to Americans. Cochise hoped that the Americans would be helpful in his opposition to the Mexicans. However, there was an unfortunate incident in 1861 that was to end that prospect forever. On 27 January 1861 a young boy (later known as Mickey Free) was taken captive by Apaches from his home in southern Arizona. Cochise claimed the boy was taken by "Coyoteros" (White Mountain Apaches), or Pinal Apaches. But, some historians believe he was actually taken by Cochise's band. At any rate, a U.S. army officer, George Bascom, was dispatched to return the boy. Cochise was taken prisoner, but he escaped. Consequently, Bascom had six Indians hung. As a result, Cochise then killed four whites. Bitter warfare ensued. Within 60 days 150 whites were killed, and 5 stage stations were destroyed (the Butterfield stage line, contracted by the U.S. government in 1857, carried mail across southern Arizona). When the California Volunteers under Carleton reached the Chiricahua area (Apache Pass, Arizona) in July 1862, Cochise also threatened them. It was only after Carleton fired his howitzers at the Apaches that they retreated (Battle of Apache Pass, 15 July 1862).

Cochise's war continued until 1867, when a white man by the name of Thomas Jeffords fearlessly rode into Cochise's camp to converse with him. It was from this incident that the famous story "Broken Arrow" was taken. Jeffords was truly a remarkable individual. It has been hard for historians to understand just what kind of person he really was. Some consider him almost a scoundrel, while others feel he was just "a right person at the right time." Thomas J. Jeffords, government superintendent of the mails from Ft. Bowie to Tucson, walked into Cochise's camp to plead for the safety of his mail carriers, which Cochise granted, and thereafter the two men became close friends.



In 1869 Henry Clay Hooker, a contract supplier of beef to reservations, was surrounded by Apache warriors and boldly rode into Cochise's camp; there Cochise entertained him and returned his guns, and Hooker was allowed to depart in peace. When he evinced surprise at this treatment, Cochise said he had not been killed because he was supplying beef eaten by Indians.

In September 1870 Cochise went to Fort Apache and conversed with Army officers there. In 1872 he also talked with General Oliver Otis Howard in the Dragoon Mountains (Cochise's "stronghold"). It was at this time that Howard agreed that the Chiricahuas should have a reservation, which covered nearly all of southeastern Arizona, south of Fort Bowie. For a short time peace was maintained, while Jeffords was agent at Fort Bowie. In 1874, however, Cochise died, probably from cancer. It is believed that he was buried somewhere in the Dragoons, and the only white man to know where was Thomas Jeffords. Jeffords, however, never divulged the location. He was faithful to Cochise's memory to the last.


Wife of Cochise

In 1876 the Chiricahua's reservation was terminated, and the people were supposed to move to San Carlos. Some did move, but many escaped to the Mimbreños at Warm Springs, New Mexico, or Mexico. Later, the Chiricahuas suffered captivity with their leader, Naiche, and Geronimo. The few remaining Chiricahuas eventually settled in Oklahoma and New Mexico, where their descendants live to this day. (There are also a few Chiricahua descendants who still live on the San Carlos Reservation, and probably also on the White Mountain Reservation.)

The best book, unquestionably, to read about Cochise is: Sweeney, Edwin R. Cochise, Chiricahua Apache Chief. Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma, 1991.

[Darksheare]

Bascom reminded me of my former Captain.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks CT.

I try to find aricles that aren't too obviuos about pushing an "agenda" one way or the other.

I seem to remember in most John Wayne movies he always played a character who had a lot of respect for his Indian opponents and didin't make them out to be the typical Hollywood sterotypes.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you so much for this explanation Matt.

We help you, but it's just symbolic and practically means nothing...

It does mean something, we appreciate you as allies and you have sacrificed soldiers to the cause for us and for freedom for many years.

[radu]

LOL! I didn't think we "creatures of the night" cast shadows!

[SAMWolf]

We help you, but it's just symbolic and practically means nothing.

Don't say your resisitance to the Soviets was symbolic and meant nothing. We weren't occupied and didn't have to fight from within. It's a lot easier to keep your Freedom than to have to try and regain it. Poland never gave up hope.

[colorado tanker]

Yep. That wonderful fight scene in McClintock begins when Wayne saves an Indian from a lynching. About the only serious scene in the movie is when he pleads the Indians' case to kangaroo court.

But don't confuse the liberals with the facts.

[Darksheare]

Depends.
Is it in the best interest to cast one or is it merely fashionable.

[SAMWolf]

About the only serious scene in the movie is when he pleads the Indians' case to kangaroo court.

It's a good scene and shows how the politicians used the "indian Problem" for their own gain. Some things never change.

[snippy_about_it]

But don't confuse the liberals with the facts

This would make a great tagline. ;-)

[radu]

I guess we got lucky....this rain system was supposed to come through over the weekend according to earlier forecasts and would have been out of here by now.

Glad it waited til our bonfires were burned down to almost nothing to move in. Of course, now we'll have to wait to light the next ones.

We have several groundhogs that live on the farm and if any poked their heads out, they probably didn't stay out long. Too wet. LOL!

[radu]

You've got a shadow? *grin*

Looks like we had the same thought, snippy. *giggle*

[colorado tanker]

It might be off topic, but an interesting thread would be the Santa Fe Indian Ring. I wonder how many wars they were behind?

[radu]

Is it in the best interest to cast one or is it merely fashionable.

Hmmmmmm, good question. Have to stew on that one.

[Darksheare]

Anyone else getting this mesage:
569 No Data
This Web page could not be opened with the specified browser request. Please try again later.

[Darksheare]

Picking on me for my sometime lack of casting a sadow.
*sniff*

Looking at the one pic on my joke of a bio page.. I'm not casting a shadow..
There may be something to that after all.
I'm casting one now.
Hmm...

[Soaring Feather]

Hi Doo,

You are probably gone by now, but want to tell you its good to hear from you. We had a gorgeous day today. The temp was above 32 so there was a fair amount on thawing. Weather Channel says we have a bell ringer coming in tomorrow with a drop in temps. :-( Take care Doo. :-)

[snippy_about_it]

You know we only pick on those we love. ;-)

[Darksheare]

I know.
];-)

[snippy_about_it]

hehe. I know you know.