Jessica Crabtree

September 4, 1886: Geronimo surrenders to the US Army in Arizona

After more than 25 years on the run from both the American and Mexican militaries, Geronimo (called “Goyathlay” in Apache) and his band of Chiricahua Apache surrendered to US forces under Gen. Nelson Miles. In a bitter irony, this last stand of Native Americans resisting reservation confinement occured only weeks before the dedication of America’s great new monument to freedom – the Statue of Liberty.

After his capture, Geronimo became an instant celebrity. He was paraded throughout the country, appearing at fairs, high-profile society functions, and presidential processions. Nevertheless he died a prisoner of war at the Fort Sill Military Prison in Oklahoma. The surviving Apache from Geronimo’s band, as well as the Apache who had served as scouts in the Army, were sent along with their families to military prisons in the Florida Everglades and across the South. The were never allowed to return home, and their imprisoned descendants remained prisoners of war until 1913 – a year before the first World War.

While Americans tend to view Geronimo as a cultural hero, many Apache feel that his ambivalent actions brought unnecessary hardship on the Apache people.

Geronimo – third from the left. Can you name the others? Find out here – (continue reading…)