September 4, 1886: A Momentous Day in Native American History
September 4th, 1886, marks a watershed moment in American history: the formal surrender of Geronimo, the last American Indian warrior to officially lay down arms against the United States. Born Goyalkla, or "One Who Yawns," in what is now New Mexico, Geronimo was an Apache leader whose reputation for cunning and combat skill made him an enduring symbol of Native American resistance.
The Genesis of a Warrior
Although known by his Spanish-given name, Geronimo was deeply scarred by an attack from Mexican soldiers who murdered his wife and children in a raid on his village in Chihuahua, Mexico. This tragedy ignited an abiding animosity towards Mexicans and spurred his lifelong struggle to defend Apache lands against incursions.
A Master of Guerilla Warfare
Geronimo led a band of about 50 Apache warriors, operating mainly in the border regions around Mexico's Sierra Madre and southern Arizona and New Mexico. Despite never learning to use a firearm himself, Geronimo equipped his men with state-of-the-art rifles. His reconnaissance was also significantly enhanced by using field glasses, an uncommon practice among Native Americans at the time.
A strategic genius, he exploited his intimate knowledge of the arid desert to conduct hit-and-run attacks, successfully eluding capture for decades. Even experienced U.S. Army Indian fighters like General George Crook and General Nelson A. Miles found him elusive.
The Inevitable Surrender
By 1886, the tireless warrior had grown weary. The uneven struggle against an ever-increasing number of settlers and a well-equipped U.S. Army had diminished his ranks. On September 4th, he surrendered to General Nelson A. Miles in Skeleton Canyon, Arizona, essentially marking the end of Native American armed resistance against U.S. expansion.
Life After Surrender
Geronimo was imprisoned for several years before being granted his freedom. He resettled in Oklahoma, converting to Christianity and even becoming a farmer. His later years saw him transition into an unlikely celebrity, featuring in world's fairs and President Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade in 1905.
The Legacy of Geronimo
Geronimo passed away in 1909 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, but his legacy endures as a poignant symbol of Native American resistance and the costs of American westward expansion. His life serves as a testament to the resilience and complexities of Native American history, forever etching September 4, 1886, as a day of both loss and reflection.
By acknowledging the complex legacy of figures like Geronimo, we can engage in a more nuanced understanding of American history—one that includes the stories of those who resisted as well as those who settled.