By 1850 the Apache economy was based primarily
on the exploitation of their land and the spoils of raiding. It has
been estimated that farming produced only 25% of all food
consumed, while the remaining 75% was the product of wild
plants, game animals and stolen livestock. [5]
Thanks to the work of Grenville Goodwill in the
1930's, we have a great understanding of Apache life between
1850 and 1900. Goodwill's work with western Apaches gives
us the Apache point of view of the events of the period.
[6]
The western Apaches occupied an area of nearly
90,000 square miles which ranged from jagged mountains,
with wellwatered valleys, to arid deserts. [7]
They were divided into sub-tribal groups (Cibecue,
San Carlos, White Mountaint and Northern and Southern
Tonto [English Names]), which spoke a common language
but considered themselves quite distinct. [8]
Each sub-tribal group was divided into two to four
binds which averaged about 400 people, but ringed from 53 to
748. The band was the basic unit around which all activity was
centered. [9]
The western Apaches, however, also had a clan
system which had an extensive network of relationships that
cut across bands and joined thee together. There were 62
clans, related through maternal lines. [10]
Clan members were expected to help each other in
time of need. [11]
Chiricahua society was organized along similar
lines, with some of its members related to the western
Apaches. However, where the western Apaches were strongly
matriarchichal, the Chiricahua Apaches traced their lineage
bilaterally.
The Apaches drew a sharp distinction between
raiding and warfare. Raids were conducted in response to a
food shortage, and attempted to avoid combat. War parties
were organized to avenge the death of in Apache. A raiding
party was normally small, while a war party could be as large
as 200 or sore warriors. The war party preferred to attack the
settlement or camp where their kinsman lost his life. However,
any encampment they located in enemy country was fair
game. Ambush and dawn attack were their basic tactics. In the
first rush the enemy horses were taken to prevent escape.
After the fight the war party divided up the booty and looked for
a new target or returned hose. [12]
The Apaches had been at war with Spanish/Mexican
settlements since 1690 and these appear to have remained
their favorite targets into the American period. U.S. attention
was not focussed an the area until the late 1850's when the
Chiricahua Apaches became a major obstacle to the settlement
of the southwest. Treaties were made with a
number of Chiricahua bands for the safe passage
of the overland mail. Peace was shattered in
1861 when a cavalry officer attempted to recover
a Mexican captive by holding a number of
Chiricahua chiefs as hostages. The chief Cochise
escaped, but the others were murdered. [13]
APACHE
SCOUT UNITS
During pre-Reservation days the Apache
tribes were politically autonomous, but normally
got along well with their neighbors. After the
Army established a post named Camp Goodwin in
the land of the White Mountain Apaches in 1864,
Apache Scout Companies were first raised. [14]
Without the help of these Scouts, the U.S. Army
would have had little chance to end the Apache
Wars. During Crook's 1883 campaign into Old
Mexico, 193 of the 250 men with his were Apache
Scouts. [15]
Formal Scout Companies raised after 1872
normally had 25 men with the NCO's being Apaches.
Each Company was commanded by an Army officer or
a civilian scout. Each man was paid $13.00 per
month and normal enlistment was for six months.
Each scout was issued a rifle, cartridge belt,
canteen and could draw a uniform (paid for out of
his pay). He was also issued a blanket, but not a
horse (until after 1885). The Apache Scouts
fought and moved on foot. A few (NCO's) would be
mounted. [16]
The men in a company were not always from
the same band or tribe, and a few could even be
members of the band which was the object of the
campaign. [17]
The Apache Wars
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© Copyright 2004 by Milton Soong.
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