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.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

...................................................................................... ...........................................

.

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

.

.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

.

.

.

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

.

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.

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C. I heard the Half-time show really sucked bad. I didn't watch it but my wife did heard her complaining all the way downstairs.

[SAMWolf]

Well good looks and education and being a gentilmen doen's always mean you have "Street smarts" or commen sense.

[SAMWolf]

Morning WaterDragon

[SAMWolf]

1933 2 days after becoming chancellor, Adolf Hitler dissolves Parliament

2008 2 days after becoming President, Hillary Clinton dissolves Congress

You know in your heart she would if she could.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Mayor

[E.G.C.]

Yeah, it was very bad deal. People watching it with their families. That's the same company BTW that signed a book deal with Hillary. Something's very wrong with this country when when stooop this low and call it family entertainment.

Call me backwards or judgemental if you will but I make no apologies for these observations. This was about as sleazey as the Democrats. Not very good at all.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning WaterDragon.

[snippy_about_it]

1964 GI Joe, debuts as a popular American boy's toy

I imagined it earlier than 1964. I must be thinking of those little green army men.

It's Monday, 'nuff said.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Mayor.

[snippy_about_it]

It looks familiar, I must have seen it (in reruns of course.)

[Aeronaut]

I've seen some wierd planes but that one takes the cake.

It was designed in 1928. Cushy interior!

 

[SAMWolf]

My wife was surprised they even let some of that stuff on the air. Talk about crude!

[HiJinx]

Cochise was a man who walked large among his contemporaries, a leader and warrior deserving of history's recognition.

If you go looking, there are several places on the web where you can find more of Cochise's influence on Southeast Arizona. One of only 3 counties in the state, and the only one named for an Indian, Cochise County is nearly the size of the state of Connecticut.

The Apaches called this place 'The Land of Standing-Up Rocks', a fitting name for an extraordinary rock wonderland.

Cochise and the Chiricahua Apaches used this natural granite fortress as a haven from the U.S. cavalry. It also is believed to be the tomb of the famous warrior 10 miles west of Sunsites (520) 826-3593

[SAMWolf]

I must be thinking of those little green army men.

I loved those Little Green Army Men I had hundreds of them. :-)

The Grand-Daughter

A grandmother was surprised by her 7 year old helper early one morning. He had made her coffee! She drank what was the worst cup of coffee in her life. And, when she got to the bottom, to her utter amazement there were three little green army men in her cup.

Puzzled, she asked "Honey, what are the army men doing in my coffee?"

Her grandson answered "Grandma, you know how it says on TV, "The best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup."

[SAMWolf]

Someone had a lot of time and money on their hands. Does look like you could have a fun time with it though

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. That's cute, thanks. Watch out with that flame thrower!

[SAMWolf]

Morning HiJinx.

Cochise was a man who walked large among his contemporaries, a leader and warrior deserving of history's recognition.

Worth repeating.

[SAMWolf]

I never used my flamethrower in the house, did almost strat the neighbor's garage on fire trying to recreate a scene from "Ring Of Fire" ;-( Thank God for garden hoses.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. Nowadays they'd have you in therapy. Oh for the days when boys could be boys!! Gotta run out for a class. See you tonight.

[E.G.C.]

Yeah,(LOL)My thoughts exactly.:-D

FCC commisioner Powell's calling for in investigation into this so maybe something will be cleared up soon.