It is impossible to provide a complete account of Apache and American warfare in a magazine article. Recording the almost daily incidences of ambushes, skirmishes, raids and isolated individual losses on both sides would be very difficult. With numerous books written on the exploits of individual chiefs and their pursuit by the US Army, my goal is to provide data on selected key events and battles which will provide some good scenarios recreate.

The number of pitched extended battles are limited. The Apaches would avoid contact if the numbers were not vastly in their favor. The Apache as would most other warriors from Native Nations would not hesitate to break off from a difficult situation. As a result most actions had the Apaches overwhelming small groups of enemies, initiating and quickly withdrawing from an ambush, or being ambushed.

Early Actions by the US Army in the Arizona-New Mexico area did not become effective until after the American Civil War had ended in 1865. The 1850s and even much of the war found the Apaches, Comanches and Navajo dominating the region. Some expeditions were launched and proved successful but for the most part, the Apaches still won most of the battles.

1855. US Army troops engage Mescalero Apache in several skirmishes.
1860, Fall. Tubac Crossing of Santa Cruz river. Mexican Scalp Hunters (30) + American Lumbermen (20) ambush Cochise's band (100?) crossing the river and inflict numerous casualties. The next month, the Apache attack and wipe out the Lumbermen's camp.
1861. US Army vs Chiricahua Apache under Cochise.
1862, July 15. Apache Pass. A US Army column (126 men + 2 How + 22 wagons) are ambushed by Cochise (600-700). A rare pitched battle lasting 10 hours. The Apache withdraw after suffering numerous losses to the long ranging cannon.
1862-63. US Army troops conduct a brief campaign against the Mescalero Apache. The main Army forces include 5 Cos of New Mexico Volunteers + 4 Cos of California Volunteers.
1865-68. Minor Mescalero Apache bands conduct numerous raids in New Mexico
1867, ??. Fort Lancaster. Several troops of 9th Cav are ambushed and isolated by Apaches (900).
1870. Gen Stoneman conducted a campaign in Arizona against various Apache raiding parties.

Victorio Campaign 1877-80. The Ojo Caliente Apaches with Mescalero and some Lipan allies (plus a few renegade Comanche) conducted an intensive raiding campaign in Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico and extreme West Texas. The force was estimated to be as high as 300 warriors but most sources indicate that the average number of warriors fighting in a pitched battle ranged from 75 to no more than 150 men. The main US Army elements involved were the 9th Cavalry, 10th Cavalry, 24th Infantry, 25th Infantry (all Black Regiments) and the 6th Cavalry. Other groups involved were Texas Rangers, local American militia, Mexican Regular and militia troops. The Apaches quickly eliminated the small groups or individuals encountered and conducted numerous raids on ranches and even towns to keep supplied. Several attacks upon other Apache tribes were also recorded by reservation officials. In regards to the results of a battle, unless noted otherwise the Victorio band managed to evade capture.

1877-78. Mescaleros raided throughout West Texas and its Rio Grande Valley. Many of these warriors are considered to have joined the Victorio band.
1877. Natanes Mtns. Victorio's band skirmish Apache Indian Police sent by reservation officials.
1877. Ash Creek. Victorio's band skirmish Apache Indian Police
1879, Sept 4. Victorio's band ambushes a US Army Horse Herd party (5 Troopers + 3 drivers)
1879, Sept 11. McEvers Ranch. Victorio's band overruns a well defended ranch killing many on the cowboys.
1879, Sept 17. Las Animas. A pitched battle between Victorio (75 his + 70 other warriors) vs 9th Cav Trp (40) + Navajo Scouts (46) + reinforcements (40 militia + 2 Scouts + 10 Cav)
1879, Sept 21. Pursuing US Army elements accidentally encounter Victorio's band in a canyon. After a skirmish the Apaches retreat but regroup and counterattack the next day.
1879, Sept 30? Slocum Ranch near Colorado New Mexico. A militia group (30) are attacked by Apaches (100) Reported as Victorio but not positive. The Militia are reinforced by 2 more companies (80). The skirmish ends without pursuit.
1879, Oct early. A series of skirmishes in the Black Mountain range.
1879, Oct ?. N.M. militia (52) on patrol skirmish with Apache (100) in the Candalaria Mtns.
1879, Oct 15. Texas Rangers (15) + Mexican Militia (23) skirmish with Victorio's band near Canada del Mardanas.
1880, Jan 12. US 9th Cav Trps B, C, H (120) + Indian Scouts (50) skirmish with a large warband (150) in the Florida Mtn near Rio Puerco.
1880, Jan 27. (th Cav (40) + 20 Indian Scouts are escorting a supply wagon train which is ambushed. The Apache are driven off with few losses.
1880, Jan 30. 9th Cav trps M, E (70) + Indian Scouts skirmish with Apaches as they attempt to ford the Palomas Crossing.
1880, Apr 5. A trp 9th Cav (31) skirmish with Apaches (50)
1880, Apr 8. Elements of the 9th Cav fight a pitch battle with Victorio's band including Mescaleros and Comanche in the Hembrillo Canyon. The 6th Cav reinforce the 9th.
1880, May. Warriors of Victorio's band raid villages belonging to Geronimo's faction.
1880, May 24. Indian scouts under Parker (41) engage Victorio at the Canyon source of the Palomas River.
1880, July 20. Mexican Regulars (100 Cav + 100 foot) engage Apaches (100) at Ojo del Pino.
1880, July 21. Geirson Cdr of 10th Cav with 30 men attempt to ambush Victorio's band (120) as it reaches a water hole in Quitman Canyon. Calls for reinforcements enables C/10 + G/10 to reach Geirson before Victorio but alerts the Apache. Victorio need the water so badly and feels that he still outnumbers Gierson enough to take the water hole. After the battle begins A/10 arrives and attempts to attack the Apache's rear. Victorio breaks off and heads for another well.
1880, Aug 6. US Army C/10 , G/10 reach Rattlesnake Springs and set an ambush. Firing starts with the Apache still out of range. While checking numbers of defenders, Victorio is informed of a Army wagon train also approaching the well from his rear. He decides to pin the cavalry and send a group to capture the wagons. As the Apache approach the wagons, the small escort of 24th Inf turns into a large body of troops who were tired and riding in the wagons under the canvas shade. The 24th Inf easily repel the Apache. The Apache then scatter.
1880, Oct 15. Mexican Regulars (200 Cav + 100 foot) trap the Apache band at Tres Castillos. A dawn attack shatters the Apaches with Victorio being killed.
1880, Oct 30. Remnants of Victorio's band (35) attempt to reach Ojo Caliente and skirmish with a 10th Cav patrol (20). Last battle of the campaign.
1881, Summer. Nana (41) leading remnants of Victorio's band engage in eight engagements with US troops. The Apaches either won or broke off from the battles.
1881, Sept 1. Fort Apache. Though frequently depicted by Hollywood, this is one of the very rare cases of a frontal assault on an Army fort (est 200 garrison) by Apaches or other Western tribes. It was sparked by the killing of a Shaman by US Army troops. The Apache (500 ?) attacked it during the night but had withdrawn by morning.
1882. Geronimo's Chiricahua attack Mexican outposts.
1882, July 17. Battle of Big Dry Wash. US Army vs Apache. Considered the last battle in Arizona.
1883, May 1. Sierra Madres. US Army troops skirmish with Apache.
1886, Jan 11. The day before Crawford with US Army Apache scouts skirmished with Geronimo's band. As dawn broke, Crawford's men were attacked by Mexican scalp hunters/ irregulars which allowed Geronimo to escape. Crawford was killed.