On this day in 1861, the period known as the Apache Wars began.

What Were the Apache Wars? From 1861 until 1886, leaders and warriors such as Cochise and Geronimo led bands of Apaches against the armies of the US and Mexico. The battles became known as the Apache Wars.

A Long, Long Time Ago... For generations, the Apaches resisted colonization of their land in the Southwest ~ the area that is now New Mexico and Arizona. But Cochise resisted fighting Anglos and he granted settlers use of Apache Pass.

The Main Characters. The Chiricahua people roamed throughout southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico to deep into the Sierra Madre of northern Mexico. There were essentially three bands:

• the central Chiricahua, to which Cochise belonged. Their basic territory was the southeastern Arizona
  
• the Mimbreño people, who were in southwestern New Mexico (Victorio later became chief of this band)
• the so-called Nednhi ~ meaning "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.

Unfortunate Series of Events. Cochise hoped that the Americans would be helpful in his opposition to the Mexicans. An unfortunate incident in 1861 ended that hope forever. In January, a settler's child was taken captive by Apaches, and some cattle stolen. Cochise claimed the boy was taken by Coyoteros ~ White Mountain Apaches ~ or Pinal Apaches. A US army officer ~ George Bascom ~ was sent to retrieve the child.

The Cochise War ~ First of the Apache Wars. Cochise was falsely accused of stealing cattle and kidnapping the child. The good relationship between the Anglo and Apache ended. When Cochise and his men went to discuss the incident, Lt. George Bascom arrested Cochise.

Out Through the Tent Flap. Cochise managed to escape by cutting the side of the tent, but he had three bullet holes in him. He captured three civilians to exchange for his relatives, but the offer was refused. Cochise, enraged, killed his hostages.

The Army Retaliates. The army, in turn, hung Cochise's brother and nephews, starting the Cochise War. Before the Cochise War was over, some 150 whites were dead, and the combined forces of Chiricahua leaders Cochise and Mangas ~ his father-in-law ~ brought all California-bound traffic through Apache Pass to standstill.

A Truce. Finally, US commander, General George Crook used Apache scouts to convince their people to move onto federal reservations. Cochise and his followers left for the reservation in the fall of 1872.