Our friend and ace scholar of the Apache Wars has a new book contract for a tome on the Apache Scouts. She’s looking for commentary from the campfire:
I have also signed a new book contract that I am working on now about Apache Scouts, who were warriors for sure and knew how to survive with or without any kind of fancy rifles or even knives and clubs.
The working title is The Apache Scouts, (At War and in Peace) I plan to discuss of course the Geronimo and Victorio Campaigns and the Pershing Expedition into Mexico where Apache Scouts were recruited for their “last hurrah”.
So, my question or request of any of your readers or yourself is a short commentary about scouts, the good, bad and the ugly. Many were considered traitors. Many were characters like Mickey Free, Dutchy, Alchesay and Chatto. Many were violent but talented. The two men that went in to convince Geronimo to surrender were heroes to many but back stabbers to others. Some became members of Law Enforcement and formed tribal police units. I will have a list of about 20 of the better known individuals…along with their photos and life story.
Whatever you wish to comment on would be appreciated. diamondjnl@pvtn.net…
…
This current book would include all of Apacheria (Jicarilla, Mescalero and Lipan) as well as the White Mountain, Chihenne, Chokonen and Nednhi. (collectively known as Chiricahua) It will include Apache Scouts riding with Black Jack Pershing during the Punitive Expedition (1916-17) long after the Geronimo campaign ended (1886). Most people have no clue about that era of Scouts and their service to our country. I have also interviewed the great grandson of Scout Martine (he and Kayitah went in to convince Geronimo and Naiche to surrender. He has sent me some great images that have never been published before. Most material on Apache Scouts involves the broad category of the Chiricahua. And, of course, a lot of readers love the historic images. However, there is much more to tell.
Every book about Apaches includes some info on the scouts, but it is a paragraph here and there-maybe part of a chapter. There is one bio about Mickey Free written by an Englishman, Allan Radbourne, yet there are hundreds of books and articles written about Geronimo, Cochise and/or Billy the Kid to name a few. And that is about it in terms of the Scouts.
What were the two scouts, Martine and Kayitah, thinking as they accepted that challenge to locate Geronimo and Naiche? Why them? What happened afterwards?
Even today there is much controversy over this topic. I am hoping to build a bridge between and among these individuals as they struggled to enter the 20th century. Apache Scouts became part of our military special ops units and served in all wars after the Apache Wars with courage and distinction. Times are surely different, but the legacy of the scouts will be a challenge and part of our heritage.
And, therefore your comments, ideas, thoughts and knowledge on this blog are valuable to me as an author and historian.
*
Apache Scout by Howard Terpening.
My own commentary comes from Part II of my series The Wild Ones, about the Apaches who held out, mostly alone, after Geronimo’s surrender. The story of Massai has always fascinated me, and it reflects an element of Continuity & Persistence that I wish the United States could live down:
The United States has an abysmal record of abandonment and betrayal of indigenous auxiliaries — men who helped us fight the wars of empire and were rewarded with a fistful of ashes.
During the Vietnam War, U.S. Army Special Forces worked and fought with Montagnard tribesmen in the Highlands, creating a highly-effective anti-communist force. And when the war went bad, we abandoned them to repression and expropriation.
Right now, there are Afghan translators and fixers who have been abandoned in their homeland after working loyally for the Americans — and marked for death by a resurgent Taliban.
If they’d been able to talk to the Apache scout Massai, they might have thought twice about serving the Americans.
Jump on in with the comments, and let’s help Lynda with what is sure to be an excellent tome for the Frontier Partisans library.
Matthew Ilseman says
The Apache Wars and the scouts in particular are fascinating.
Lynda A. Sanchez says
Wow Jim, mil gracias. Thanks for this post. Excellent illustration too by one of the best artists we have, Terpning. He lives in Tucson and is well over 90. He has magic in his paintings that I have never seen in other images of our Native folk.
The Scouts and Apaches in general inspire his art, and I am hoping to present other thoughts, ideas and images that most will never see in traditional books about the Apache Campaigns.
I also agree with you, Jim, where you state:
The United States has an abysmal record of abandonment and betrayal of indigenous auxiliaries — men who helped us fight the wars of empire and were rewarded with a fistful of ashes.
Lynda
deuce says
Sounds cool. I’d think that Tim Truman might be interested in this project, at least to read it.
‘His ‘Scout Marauder’ project is 7yrs late, BTW. He turned 70 this year. I haven’t heard that he’s ill or anything. Strange.
JimC says
Was just thinking about that. I supported it on Kickstarter and have heard nothing for a LONG time.
JimC says
Posting this on behalf of Lane Batot:
I am THRILLED if an account is done chronicling the Apache scouts, who never have gotten their just due, I don’t think! They were both heroes and traitors, depending on which perspective one had in those days! There is no doubt that their assistance was key in running the “renegades”(that term a matter of one’s perspective, too!) to ground. It will be a very valuable addition to our American history, and to my own “Apacheria” collection in my own library! Greatly looking forward to THAT!
lane batot says
Thanks Jim–this reply from my work computer(with all manner of security features), which “Frontier Partisans” does accept! Unless this doesn’t get through either……
Lynda A. Sanchez says
Thank you all and keep the comments, opinions coming. Do you have a particular campaign or scout(s) that you would like to know more about? Or what are your thoughts on Generals Crook and Miles? Gatewood, Wratten, Lawton? or others
I believe that some of the personal family thoughts from scout’s families will be good to include along with their images and perspective. Should present a broader range of their lives.
Appreciate the interest. And thanks to Jim for always being open to all of our ideas and comments.
Lynda in soggy Lincoln, New Mexico
diamondjnl@pvtn.net
PS What was the Scout Maurauder project??
JimC says
Scout: Marauder is Timothy Truman’s graphic novel revival of a 1980s comic series featuring an Apache scout in a dystopian future American Southwest.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/704883862/scout-marauder
Greg Austin Walker says
Very nice.
Special Forces indeed fought, lived with, and died alongside their “Yards”.
And we stayed with them by creating a project to bring them to the states and help them assimilate. That goes on even today with the generations like myself carrying on this support.
https://www.specialforces78.com/forgotten-warriors-2024-update-on-helping-the-montagnards-in-vietnam-2/
Our crossed arrows insignia for Special Forces is directly tied to the Apache Scouts. There is some good information out there on this.
The Black Tyrone says
In the film Geronimo an American Legend, A “shave tail” asks Lt Gatewood…Why do the Apache scout for us. Gatewood’s response…The Apache go where the fight is.
The Black Tyrone says
Read Wolves for the Blue Coats, I read this years ago, explains much on the Scouts from all tribes. The Pawnee Batalion under the North Brothers were famous.
Ugly Hombre says
https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2009/summer/indian.html
What a cool topic! Great project look forward to reading!
https://a4.pbase.com/u34/bearpaw/upload/31205190.apache_scout_nat.jpg
“The Army Reorganization Act of 1866 authorized the President “to enlist and employ in the Territories and Indian country a force of Indians not to exceed one thousand to act as scouts, who shall receive the pay and allowances of cavalry soldiers, and be discharged whenever the necessity for further employment is abated, at the discretion of the department commander.” One of the most significant measures in the act was that Indians would receive the same pay as white cavalry soldiers.”
“INDIAN SCOUTS (Enlisted)
Enlistment Papers
Among the Army enlistment papers, there is a separate series of Indian Scout enlistment papers (Enlistment Papers, Indian Scouts, 1866–1914, entry 92, Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s–1920, Record Group [RG] 94). The Index to Enlistment Papers, Indian Scouts, 1866–1914 (entry 93, RG 94), contains four geographically based indexes: Arizona Indian Scouts; New Mexico Indian Scouts; Northern Indian Scouts; and Texas, Indian Territory and Oklahoma. These indexes are arranged alphabetically by the name of the scout and show the individual’s enlistment number. The enlistment papers are arranged by initial letter of the person’s name and then by the enlistment paper number.”
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/29/b5/df29b52f5a3b627d29bfd4f7752a594d.jpg
“The Indian Scout enlistment paper index can be challenging to use in some cases. The scout can be listed under the Native American phonetic spelling of his name (with no translation) or under the English translation of his name. For example, the name “Ceth ton e ki” appears in the index of Arizona Scouts with no translation, and the name “Eagle Claw” appears in the Northern Indian Scouts index with no corresponding Indian name. In other cases, both the English translation and Native American name are listed together, such as the name “Tatanka Cigala,” which appears in parentheses next to the name Little Bull in the Northern Indian Scouts index.”
https://a4.pbase.com/u34/bearpaw/upload/31205190.apache_scout_nat.jpg
Looks like the national archives may have a lot of good information. Medical records, muster roles, court martial records.
Fort Sill may have a history department with some good information? And perhaps Fort Huachuca?
https://historical-markers.arizonadar.org/2024-fort-huachuca-minority-service-panel-5/
https://westerngames.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/history_apachescouts.pdf
“A GUIDE TO STUDYING HISTORY AT FORT HUACHUCA” Above.
Ugly Hombre says
http://www.gwpda.org/comment/huachuca/HI1-23.htm
“Apache Scouts in the Punitive Expedition”
“After Geronimo’s surrender, there was less of a need for Indian scouts and, in 1891 the number of scouts apportioned to Arizona was limited to fifty. By 1915 only 24 remained in service. It appears that an additional 17 Apache scouts were enlisted to join Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing’s Punitive Expedition into Mexico because in 1916 the number rose to 39, and in 1917 fell back to 22. Apache scouts from Fort Huachuca accompanied the 10th Cavalry and others from Fort Apache joined the l1th Cavalry on their long scouts into Mexico in search of the bandit/revolutionary, Pancho Villa.”
Addendum; another paper from a Army Publication.
“During the Punitive Expedition in 1916, twenty Indian scouts were sent down from Fort Apache to join the 11th Cavalry. They arrived too late to take part in the search for Villa which had been suspended due to the protests of the Carranza government about the U. S. presence on Mexican soil. But they did have ample opportunity to show their tracking skills. Captain James A. Shannon with the 11th wrote an article in the journal of the U. S. Cavalry Association for April 1917, entitled “With the Apache Scouts in Mexico.” He described their cautious way of operating.”
“The Indian cannot be beaten at his own game. But in order to get results, he must be allowed to play that game in his own way. You tell a troop of white soldiers there is a enemy a thousand yards in your front and they will go straight at him without questions. The Indian under the same circumstance wants to look it all over first. He want to go to one side and take a look. Then to the other side and take a look. He is like a wild animal stalking its prey. Before he advances he wants to know just what is in his front. This extreme caution which we don’t like to see in the white man, is one of the qualities that makes him a perfect scout. It would be almost impossible to surprise an outfit that had a detachment of Apache scouts in its front.”
“They do not lack courage by any means. They have taken part in some little affairs in Mexico that required plenty of courage, but they must be allowed to do things in their own way.”
Hope this fits!
Lynda A. Sanchez says
Good morning
This is for Ugly Hombre (and others who perhaps do not know) but I have written two articles about the service of the Apache Scouts during the Punitive expedition. If you would like a copy I would be pleased to send a digital copy to you. let me know diamondjnl@pvtn.net
One is a longer article for the Wild West History Association Journal (Stirring the Warrior’s Soul; The other is shorter for True West Magazine (The Apache’s Last Hurrah).
I also appreciate the other info you forwarded. So, I will double check and see if there are other bits of info that I can use. James Shannon is one of my favorite Chief of Scouts. He was a superb soldier but sadly passed during his time fighting in WW I just shortly after he left the Scouts and went with Pershing to Europe. I have read his article.
There is a book now too discussing The Forgotten Soldiers. It is about the last days of the Apache Scouts at Fort Huachuca and includes archaeological sites and data as well as historical background. By 1947 those days were ended and the new “Special Forces” aspect of the military took in many of our Native American soldiers.
Obtaining different and high resolution images has been a challenge too.
Lynda
Ugly Hombre says
Thanks Lynda! I sure would like to read your articles will send you a email. Look forward to reading!
https://laststandonzombieisland.com/2024/11/26/send-in-the-scouts/apache-scout-mexican-punitive-expedition-may-13-1916-111-sc-102733_001/
“By 1947 those days were ended and the new “Special Forces” aspect of the military took in many of our Native American soldiers.” How great it would have been to talk to those men. I was at Holloman in the early 70’s great place. Saw the Mescalero Ski patrol in action at Ski Apache neat operation. – wonder if any one recorded the last remaining Scouts there in the 50’s 60’s? etc.
“There is a book now too discussing The Forgotten Soldiers.” What is the title pls?
The Hmong also were dealt a sad hand in Lao’s and after. I knew some of Tony Poe’s men and Royal Lao Army people- not from service just as friends. What they tried to do to Vang Pao after the war was a disgrace.. Seemed stupid in more ways than one
Thanks again!
U/H
Lynda A. Sanchez says
UH, please send Jim your email so he can forward to me.
At the moment we are having email and phone problems because of major flooding along the Hondo and Bonito rivers.
las
Ugly Hombre says
Sorry to hear Lynda, I did see that in the news – stay safe!
lohan108@proton.me
Russ says
Mr. Cornelius,
Thanks for including this info on the Apache Scouts.
Apache History is one of the most interesting topics of the Old West. Especially that of the Lost Apaches who continued to survive in Mexico for decades after the Geronimo surrender. I find this topic endlessly fascinating, and tragic.
I’m familiar with Mrs. Sanchez’s most excellent work and research into this little known topic of Western History. She has brought to light much new information on the subject.
Frontier Partisans is a stellar site by the way, bringing much information to light that may otherwise be overlooked. Thanks for putting in the work to keep all of this wonderful history alive.
I look forward to any more pieces on Apache History, and especially on (to use your term) The Wild Ones.
Thanks again,
Russ
JimC says
Thank you Russ. This makes my day.
Lynda A. Sanchez says
Russ and Jim…this also makes my day!
Mil Gracias
Lynda
Paul A Cantin says
Wow that’s a lot of great information and links. I look forward to getting this book when it comes out.
We don’t have too much of this kind of history in Massachusetts.
Lynda A. Sanchez says
Correct on that comment Mr. Cantin-not many Apaches in Massachusetts I am also corresponding with the great grandson of one of the Scouts who went in under a flag of truce. He is quite interested in this topic as well as being an artist who often illustrates such history. He lives on Long Island!
There seems to be a lot of renewed interest in this topic as it has not been covered very much. We betrayed the scouts in so many ways.
Lynda