Lesson 7: Quakers, Red Cloud, Southern Plains War, and a New President
Cochise and His War
Cochise, Chiricahua Apache Chief
Cochise and his Chiricahua Apaches lived in the arid land that became the Territory of Arizona, near some fresh water springs at Apache Pass.
In 1858, the Butterfield Overland Stage laid their route across this land and asked permission to build a station at the springs. Cochise granted their request but stipulated that their buildings must be several hundred yards back from the springs to insure that the Apaches were not kept from using the water.
By 1860, relations being good between the Chiricahuas and the station people, Cochise worked cutting firewood for them.
Stage Coach Coming In
Rancher John Ward, his mistress, and their young son Felix were living near by when Pinal or Coyotero Apaches abducted Felix. Ward reported the incident to the Army but it was some months before anything was done. Ward had the mistaken idea that Cochise’s warriors were the guilty culprits so, in January 1861, Second Lieutenant George Bascom was sent to Apache Pass with 54 men and Ward.
Having seen Bascom’s detachment at the stage station, Cochise asked his friend, Butterfield driver James Wallace, what it was about. Wallace innocently repeated the lie Bascom had told him, saying that the troops were on a routine patrol. Bascom never mentioned they were after Cochise.
Cochise, with his brother, his wife and son, and two nephews, visited Bascom’s camp. The Indians were invited into the officer’s tent. Ward, who was also present, slipped out to tell the soldiers to surround the tent.
Bascom demanded that Cochise return the boy and the cattle. Cochise, surprised at this accusation, promised to inquire about the boy among other Apaches, and to use his influence to secure his return. Bascom, disbelieving Cochise, advised him that he and his family were under arrest until the boy was returned. Cochise, knowing nothing could be done for now to help his family, pulled out a knife, slit the tent, and escaped.
Cochise, assuming that Wallace had betrayed him, took a few of his men to the stage station and called to Wallace. Unaware of any problem, Wallace came out to see his friend. With Wallace were two other white men. Cochise’s men killed one of them, while a soldier killed the other, thinking he was an Indian. Cochise took Wallace captive, intending to swap him for his family.
To enhance the swapping, Cochise raided a wagon train and took two Americans prisoner. Then, in fury, he killed eight Mexicans drovers. Cochise appeared near the stage station with his three prisoners but Bascom refused to swap them for the Indian’s family unless he produced the boy also. Days later, some troopers discovered the tortured bodies of Wallace and the other two men.
Wagon Train on the Smoky Hill Road
Cochise’s wife and son were released but the Army hung his brother and two nephews. Enraged, Cochise and his warriors attacked wagon trains, stagecoaches, mines, and settlements. In two months, prior to Cochise fleeing to Mexico, the Chiricahuas killed some 150 whites for the hanging of Cochise’s family members. And now, Cochise’s War was on.
Here's a fresh idea for learning history: Rent or buy a video. The link below takes you to an article that tells about Jeff Chandler, way back when, playing the part of Cochise in Broken Arrow. I've seen this movie many times and think it's great!
If you want to purchase the video, the scoop on where to find it at Barnes & Nobel is also right down below.
Broken Arrow By Darryl Stenabaugh http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/west... Broken Arrow tells the Hollywood-ized story of Cochise and the Apaches making peace with the white man. Although they did not yet have the "courage" to hire Indian actors, Broken Arrow is one of the earliest examples of Hollywood portraying Indians in a positive light.
Broken Arrow-VHS
Staring: James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, and Debra Paget. Price: $13.99 Rating: NR Original release date: 1950 Video/DVD Release Date: 1/1/1998 UPC: 86162131035 20TH CENTURY FOX
Barns & Nobel http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/r...
The sources for this section are:
Capps, Benjamin. The Great Chiefs: The Old West. Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1975.
Utley, Robert M. The Indian Frontier of the American West, 1846-1890. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 1984.
