Random Facts About Life Of Geronimo (11 items)

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  (#9) Geronimo Had a Serious Crush on a United States General

  In the early 1870s, things seemed to be settling down a bit. After a long hiatus, Geronimo was able to lead his people back to their homeland in New Mexico, back to Fort Bowie, the place where, years earlier, they had been betrayed by US soldiers. On his arrival, Geronimo communed with the man in charge, General Oliver Otis Howard, a former Civil War officer who was known among his men as “the Christian General.” 

  Howard’s fair treatment of the Native Americans won him several fans among the Apache. Even Geronimo wasn’t immune, writing,

  [Howard] always kept his word with us and treated us as brothers. We never had so good a friend among the United States officers as General Howard. We could have lived forever at peace with him. If there is any pure, honest white man in the United States army, that man is General Howard. All the Indians respect him, and even to this day frequently talk of the happy times when General Howard was in command of our Post.
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  (#3) Geronimo Once Single-Handedly Evaded Close Armed Pursuit for Two Days

  After the revenge for Kas-Ki-Yeh, the Apaches resumed their daily lives and attempted to put the massacre behind them. Geronimo, however, was still bent on revenge. He convinced two other warriors to join him as he went on the war path to Mexico.

  Almost immediately after picking out a small village, Geronimo’s little band came under fire from Mexican rifles. His two companions were killed and Geronimo was surrounded by armed soldiers. Rather than run and hide, Geronimo fought his way back to Arizona - on foot - while being closely pursued by the soldiers. 

  This raid, most likely caused by Geronimo’s incomparable grief, set back the Apache’s plans to get revenge on any Mexican who would dare to get close enough to him.
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  (#6) With Only Three Other Warriors, Geronimo Secured Enough Supplies to Last His Tribe a Year

  In the summer of 1863, Geronimo led a raid on a small village about forty miles west of Casa Grande. At high noon, Geronimo and his small band of soldiers stole into the town and sent its residents scattering. According to Geronimo, no one in the town put up a fight or even gave chase. They simply saw the Native Americans coming, turned tail, and got out of town.

  Once the town was empty - only one person had been killed - the Apaches drove several ponies into the town and loaded up as much loot as they could carry. Upon his victorious arrival, Geronimo feasted for a full 24 hours and handed out various gifts to everyone in the tribe... and there was still enough supplies left over for his people to use for the following year.
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  (#10) In the Early 1880s, Geronimo Was Ready to Call It Quits

  After almost thirty years of constant fighting, Geronimo was perfectly at ease settling his people at Apache Pass. In the years following General Howard’s departure, however, things became tense between the white troops and the Indians living on the reservation. At one point, Geronimo was actually imprisoned for four months simply for leaving on a short trip.

  When US forces asked several prominent chiefs and warriors to convene with them at Apache Pass, the Apache fled the reservation for fear of a trap. Geronimo’s followers swelled to nearly 250 men, women, and children. To hear accounts of the Native American’s flight, Geronimo and his band killed their way across the West.

  To hear Geronimo tell it, every death was the result of his tribe being pursued and attacked relentlessly as he and his growing tribe fled towards safety. The new commander of Fort Apache, General Crook, ordered his troops to kill Geronimo should he resist arrest.

  Geronimo ultimately surrendered to US troops for lack of a better place to go. In the south, the Mexican army gave him no quarter and an advancing United States didn’t have the inclination to let the Apache live their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle.
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  (#7) Geronimo Wasn’t Originally Keen on Taking War to the White Men Who Invaded

  Around 1868, American soldiers advanced on Apache territory. As was America’s MO, the initial settlers were largely peaceful, and Geronimo and the Apaches lived in harmony. Unfortunately, a year later, several prominent chiefs and warriors were invited to confer at Fort Bowie under the auspices of peace.

  After being led into a tent, the gathered party was attacked by soldiers who cut down many men. In retaliation for the treachery, Geronimo - who had not been included in the talks - banded together with two tribes of Apache commanded by Cochise and attacked a freight train. The war party captured several prisoners whom they offered to trade in return for the captives from the attack at Fort Bowie. 

  The US Army refused the terms, so Geronimo and his men killed their prisoners and disappeared into the mountains.
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  (#4) Geronimo Was Shot in the Face and Still Got Up to Do Battle

  Though his first battle was a victory, Geronimo spent several years early in his career getting his ass kicked by the Mexican people. His first several raids in Sonora were beaten back soundly, his band of warriors returning empty-handed.

  Geronimo himself spent a lot of his time injured. In one attack on a convoy, he rushed into the fray only to slip on some blood and get smashed in the skull with the butt of a Mexican soldier’s rifle. In another nearly successful raid, Geronimo’s Apaches were followed by soldiers and Geronimo was shot several times. In fact, the opening volley actually saw him shot in the face, after which the soldier got up and fought his way to safety.

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