CHIHUAHUA, CHIEF (FAMOUS) - Comanche County, Oklahoma | CHIEF (FAMOUS) CHIHUAHUA - Oklahoma Gravestone Photos

Chief (Famous) CHIHUAHUA

Apache North Cemetery
Comanche County,
Oklahoma

Chiricahua Apache
1822 - 1901

Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. On May 18, 1883, after the Chiricahua Apaches had fought a long, running battle deep into Mexico, Chihuahua met with General Crook for peace talks. He informed Crook that the Chiricahua were willing to surrender and return to the reservation. Over the next few weeks all the chiefs gave themselves up—Geronimo, Chato, Bonita, Loco, except Juh, who fled south deeper into Mexico with a handful of Apaches. In May of 1885, a large group of Chiricahua renegades once again fled the reservation and went on a rampage down into Mexico. The pursuing United States Army detachment, led by Captain Emmett Crawford, attacked the renegades main camp about 60 miles south of Nacori, Mexico. The battle did not kill many of the Indians, but did capture their entire stock, camp equipment, food, and supplies. Chihuahua, Nachez, and Geronimo were so demoralized that once again they asked for a peace talk. Before Crawford could commence negotiations the Army troops wee attacked by a band of Mexican troops resulting in the death of Crawford and the Mexican commander and fifteen of his men. Chihuahua and his men, camped on a hill across the valley were "interested spectators." After this battle was over and the Mexicans withdrew, the Apaches met with Lieutenant Marion P Maus, now in command. They agreed once again to meet with General Crook and return to the reservation. Most of them did return and agreed that they would be sent to a Camp in Florida for two years and then returned to Arizona. Geronimo, however, met up with some white men selling whiskey on his way back to the reservation and went back on the "warpath." On April 7, 1886, Chihuahua and all other Chiricahua on the reservation, including Geronimo's wives and family were shipped to Fort Marion, Florida. With a promise to be reunited with his family, Geronimo surrendered and on September 8, 1886 he was sent to Florida. In May of 1888, the Apaches were transferred to Mount Vernon Barracks in Mobile, Alabama. In October 1893 they were transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where they were to remain until they died, not withstanding that they had been promised that they would return to their beloved Arizona. They are all now buried in three separate Apache cemeteries located on Fort Sill.

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Contributed on 3/19/14 by tomtodd
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Record #: 31321

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Submitted: 3/19/14 • Approved: 3/19/14 • Last Updated: 4/13/18 • R31321-G0-S3

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