Naiche/Natchez

[coeurrouge]

Tahdotonn hab been a scout between may 1891 and august 1893. It is why he did not appear in the San Carlos census in 1892 and 1893.


Only Zanyego appeared with her daughter in law in 1892 and 1893, and in 1894 ththree were together


I found the boy and her mother in the 1888's census, page 31 of the San Carlos Apache. It could mean thaht Zanyego was among the 13 chiricahua women released by Chihuahua in April 1885.


For Altsidah maybe she was page 3 on the same census in 1888 with her sister but I am not sure. I still not find them neither Gessemuday in 1889. Djataize and Zhante were with Eskiminzin.

[saskia21]

Excellent work Coeurage!  It al seems to fit en I believe you are right about Big Charlie. Dates and names seem to match pretty good.


I have been doing some research too although slightly in a different direction: I found possibly another relative (either sister of Tahdotonn or a sister of Nahkis), not sur yet which.

In de 1930 federal census Tahdontonne en his wife Alice are living with a niece Jennie Hill:





Jennie Hill
Born 15 januari 1924- died 9 august 2013
married twice and had six children from her first marriage

Had one sister Pearl Hill who died young

Daughter of:

Marion Hill (Utsee) (my thinking is that this might be the relative Geronimo requested from San Carlos: "Mayo" = Marion?)
Born 1899 - died 9 juli 1928 (through Homicide)
Married Eva Kozi Born 1906- died 1929.
Left Jennie Hill an orphan at the age of 5. On de census she lives with Marions half brother Valentine/Frank Hill for a few years en later ends up living with Tahdontonne and his wife.

Marion Had 2 brothers and one half brother:
Martin Hill ( Jagulla, Cagatle, Martin Coe, Mckinley) 1892- 1918 died during the flu epidemic. was married to ? and had one child?
Antoine Hill ( Ylehihiya) 1896- ? was still alive in 1911
Valentine/Frank Hill, Half brother (different mother) 1906-1967, married three times and had at least nine children.

Son of :

James Hill (Eskeinjun, Eskinjoon, Eskinjun) 1868- ?
Married 3 times:

• Nasla (Nazlah)  1872 -1899 Mother of Marion, Martin and Antoine Hill ( this is either a sister of Tadontonne or possibly of Nahkis???)
• Nadehene  1884- ? married 1905 mother of Valentine Hill
• Nadudaye  1884 - ? married 1908?( the last two may be the same person)

I understand that indian relations are regarded differently so my question is could a relative of Geronimo i.e. Jennie hill be considered a cousin of tahdontonne?  Would she be regarded as a niece of Tahdontonne 

If Nasla was de sister of Nahkis (Geronimo's relative) could she still be considered  a niece  of Tahdontonne  (Naiche relative) due to earlier familie ties?
The reason why I think this is because of de request by Geronimo for Mayo (nick name) but before that is a name you can't fully read but I believe it to be Marion.(San Carlos request for return of relatives)

She could also be a sister of Tahdontonne  and in that case Jennie Hill would  be a cousin.
Still trying to connect the dots  so will keep looking.

[coeurrouge]

Naiche family in 1900. I do not find his mother and full sister. Zanyego during her life had 7 children, 1 living (Tahdotonn) in 1900, Zhante 3, Djataize 2.

[saskia21]

 Dasdenzhoos and Naithlotonz are both on the  1900 census nr. 27 and 30:




And Dos teh seh nr 62:

[coeurrouge]

4.5.Fear, Shame, Desperation and Surrender.

Why Naiche fled while he had given his word and sincerity was the higher principle transmitted by his father? All the forty who escaped had made their own decision. Alcohol and the escape of the leaders Nat-cul-baye, Goyakla and mainly Naiche, encouraged them but their conviction to flee was already in their mind. The separation of some family members with strong bounds demonstrated how each made independantly his decision, Tsinolthos did not follow his uncles Kla-esh and Ulzana but escaped with Naiche; Yahe-chul escaped while his older brother Tsinah surrendered and Da-ke-yah, son-in-law of Goyakla, surrendered and did not follow his father-in-law and his brother-in-law Naclede.
Suspicious and nervous before the council, 25th of March, they did not like the behaviour of Nantan Lupan, his ultimatum was unacceptable for much of them and Goyakla waiting his time told some arguments which certainly encouraged to act. For all of them the primary factor of their decision was Fear. And the whisky transformed this fear to a great scare. The night of 27th of March, all the outbreakers drunk a lot. It was not a drink to accompagny a feast, a ceremony or during a raid to distress. This drink was a binge of People very uncertain of their future losing definitively their way of life and fearing disappearance as a tribe. History proved to the Chiricahuas that when they were in the total mercy of their enemy, men were quickly executed or imprisoned and women and children became slaves and very few succeeded to escape their slavery. It was a drink to forget their scary situation.

Naiche explained their state of mind three years later to Crook:
"Naiche: When we left there, as far as I was concerned I didn’t know anything; I didn’t know how to work, I didn’t know how to dig up roots, or break ground or break rock, and I thought I wouldn’t like it. I was afraid I wouldn’t like to work. All of us thought that way.
General Crook: How did you come to leave this night?
Naiche: I was afraid I was going to be taken somewhere I didn’t like; to someplace I didn’t know. I thought all who were taken away would die. Since then I have found out different. I have worked much since then. Nobody said anything to me that night; I worked it out in my own mind.
General Crook: Didn’t the Indians talk about among themselves?
Naiche: We talked to each other about it. We were drunk.
General Crook: Why did you get drunk?
Naiche: Because there are a lot of whisky there and we wanted a drink, and took it. The other didn’t want to go out. I don’t know why the others didn’t know of it; I thought they all did."

It is clear that for Naiche personal experiences had deeply influenced his decision. The execution and mutilation of his grandfather while he was disarmed in a blue soldier’s camp; his other “father” hung after he came with peace intention, disarmed, in a blue soldier’s camp were traumatics for Naiche. He always believed his own life, in 1861, was spared only because of a card game. The young chief, since this time, distrusted all the blue soldiers. And Naiche, like most of the Chiricahuas, thought that a warrior especially the chiefs, being disarmed in a US Army’s camp, finished executed. Naiche knew Crook had promised a 100$ reward for each head of renegade his scouts would get. Along his life Naiche heard his father that a journey Far East would cost the life of the warrior would do it. So, it was why Goci refused always invitation to go at Washington. The older brother of Naiche, Taza, did not refuse but proved right the prediction of the father. In fact, Naiche, disliking Crook and distruthfull of the US Army, did not believe the two years promise of Crook. Was he wrong? He also was afraid that going East would mean death for him and his people. Was he wrong?
After ten years during he assumed a charge not whished and not educated for, as best he could under the shadows of his dead father and grandfather, Naiche surely had enough of that, was feared and maybe thought he failed. So, the young Chokonen’s chief lost complety control of himself during twenty-hours. Like the others, Naiche drunk very much that night. Alcohol made him frightened. Then he drunk more and more and passed out in the ground during the night, in the view of everybody, losing his dignity as a chief.

The next morning, early, Nantan Lupan left with Bourke. When they passed near the Chiricahua’s camp, they saw a complete mess. Several warriors showed themselves still drunk. This early departure added suspicion among the outbreakers. Naiche still intoxicated wake up during the morning. Apparently when their chief could, the band moved ten miles north at noon, to join the pack’s camp of Maus. They moved dispersed but in alert and the warriors were most of them drunk. They did not allow Maus to approach them, so the lieutenant stayed behind them. Even Maus’s troops had destroy Tribolett’s remaining whisky, the outbreakers and especially Naiche continued to drain their whisky stock.
That evening, 28th of March, Naiche had arguments with his principal spouse since years, E-clah-eh. The result was that Naiche shot his wife and injured her in the leg. Why Naiche shot his wife? Some said he thought she was flirting with another warrior, others explained that E-clah-eh did not want to follow her husband in the Sierra Madre and wanted to see again her young son. It was maybe that but I believed it was a marital quarrel between a wife who scolded her drunken’s husband for putting shame on his family and maybe reproached Naiche to flirt with the young Ha-o-zinne.

Naiche apparently stopped drinking and thougth during the night of his next step. Educated with three high principles of dignity, loyalty and to take care of his family, Naiche could have thought, he failed. Completely drunk, he had lost his dignity when he passed out. While since 1876, less or more, he succeeded loyaly to maintain unity of his band, in 1886 the Chokonens were cut in half. One part in the reservation without chief and the second part would become POW because they followed him and Kla-esch. He was educated to take care of his immediate family which Naiche had always done, but this time his sisters and his mother lived at Fort Apache without him to take care, his older wife with his two sons were captives at Fort Bowie and he just had shot his confident and beloved spouse front of his daughter.
This night, I think, Naiche decided to escape because he distrusted Crook, was scared about their future and ashamed about his last twenty-hour’s behaviour. It seemed that during the night talkings were exchanged between people who were sober or just hang over, but too much men were still drunk to escape at this time. Early, 29th of March, to lure Maus and winning time to prepare their outbreak, Naiche and Goyakla broke camp before the soldiers and moved ahead the column like they were hurry to surrender. But just two miles before the border, they stopped just after less than ten miles of march. It was during that day, then the majority sober, they had serious talkings of escaping the soldiers. Disagreed with this plan, Kla-esch and most of the warriors who had their family at Fort Bowie separated from Naiche perhaps E-clah-eh and her daughter followed Kla-esch. With his brother Ulzana, they made camp one mile northeast of Naiche.

I think Naiche and Goyakla prepared their escape, waiting the night and that all their followers would be ready to do it. Historians wrote that the drinking led to an irrational decision in each head of the final renegades, but I did not agree. Alcohol had its influence but each made a logical decision. Most of them had no or few relative prisoners at Fort Bowie. The only surprise was the young girl Leo-shanne who separated from his parents, Nezegochin and Ni-yah, certainly by mistake and followed her grandfather Nat-cul-baye.
Nat-cul-baye, who spent most of his life in Mexico, had a wife, his son Alchintoyeh with him; Beshe had his wife U-go-hun and his youngest daughter Ha-o-zinne beside him; the brothers La-zi-yah and Nah-bay were together with their wife and for Nah-bay, his daughter; Kilthdigay who had his wife killed in august 1885, was single; Hunlonah, Nednhi preferred to stay with his uncle Beshe than to surrender and to join his wife and child at Fort Bowie; Tsinolthos and his young wife were still together; Zhonne, single, stayed with his mother U-go-hun; Moh-tsos had his primary spouse with three children at Fort Apache; Tah-ni-toe had also his wife living in the reservation; Shoie had just learnt, if I am right, the death of his wife and was at this time single; Nezulkide never lived more than two years in a reservation during his life, was the last prominent warrior to surrender in April 1884, so it was his temper to refuse imprisonement; Yahe-chul, Naclede, Yanozha had their wife with them, so they followed Goyakla; the only family alive of Kanseah was his “uncle” Goyakla; The young boy Garditha followed his grandfather Nat-cul-baye; Ahnandia had just married Tas-de-the, living with him and had a wife at Fort Apache; Goyakla resourcefull and selfish had two wives with him Shta-she and She-gah; Atelnietze had, with him, his two wives, his child and his teenage boy Satsitnitsu and loyal to Naiche stayed with his “brother”.
The only to be alone , in the group, with all his immediate family at Fort Bowie, was Naiche. It is why I think Naiche fled because also of shame. To this group the priority was to escape without notice by the scouts especially the Chiricahuas, so they took only one horse. They decided to leave, 30th of March 1886, 2:30 AM, going west. They again lured everybody, their outbreak would be discovered only at sunrise and very soon they scattered to avoid efficient pursue. This time I think the ringleader was Naiche, Goyakla was certainly glad the Chief did not respect his word, but all the next events of the renegades when they were together had the mark of Naiche. After some hours, without clear explanation, Nezulkide and Shoie changed their mind and joined alone Fort Bowie some days later. Two months later, Nezulkide would be the first Chiricahua to die in exile.

After they were sure they were not pursued, the last renegades still scattered, made separatly several raids west of Fronteras to replenish their stock but mostly to get enough horses for everybody. The plan was to join in the Sierra de los Ajos to try a short rest. The fact they avoided the Sierra Madre shows that Naiche was in command. The previous year Naiche chose campsites west of the Sierra Madre and was never surprised or attacked. So, he led his little band in this same strategy.
11th of April they quitted the mountains. I think Goyakla, Nat-cul-baye, with older warriors like Beshe, La-zi-yah and Nah-bay escorted the women and children throught the mountains to reach the Azul summit in the Sierra de Azul. It would be their next camp. Needing food and stock, the rest of the warriors led by Naiche went southeast, near Bacoachi, raided Duron’s ranch and joined their women and children. With enough food and mounts, a fresh spring to quench their thirst, being on the top of the Sierra with clear view below them, Naiche ordered a week of rest. The Chief had to think about another option he could get from the Americans.

19th April, their stock reduced, the renegades left their camp. Again, while Nat-cul-baye and elders led north the women and children to the Sierra de Pinitos, Naiche and Goyakla with their warriors came down west the Sierra de Azul, between Imuris and Magdalena to reach food. This day and 23rd of April 1886, they raided two ranches, killed eight people and spared two others. They left with their plunder but got time to ambush the little force of national guards who pursued them. They killed two soldiers without casualties on their own side. After they separated, six warriors led maybe by Ischi or Atelnietze were in charge to find cattle west of the Sierra de Pinitos while Naiche and the others joined the new camp in these mountains.
After the six warriors regrouped with the camp, Naiche moved his band in the eastern face about twenty-five miles of Nogales. At this time, they certainly needed ammunitions for their American guns. It meant they had to cross the border, to plunder and surely to kill Americans but also to risk some deadly fights with the blue soldiers and their Apache scouts among them maybe some Chiricahuas. The other risk was to be follow in Mexico by the scouts during their return.

Letting Nat-cul-baye, Beshe with the very young teenage boys, Alchintoyeh and Garditha, I think, to protect the women and children in the camp, Naiche and Goyakla led their men to Arizona, 26th of April. They had not fought the blue soldiers, since their escape a month ago. The plan was three days of raids in Arizona around Nogales, east to west, entering by the Santa Cruz River and returning in Mexico by the Pajarito Mountains. They were ready to ambush any pursuer.
Just after crossing the border, they killed four men, few hours later they killed another man in Calabasas. Early, the next day six warriors entered this very little town and stole horses. Pursued they ambushed the civilians, wounded one man and stopped the pursuit. On the morning six miles west, they attacked and ransacked a ranch. A wife with her little baby were killed apparently by Ahnandia and a teenage girl was captured by Goyakla. Few times after, moving west they spotted the owner and a friend. The warriors killed the friend and spared the owner of the ranch and husband of the dead woman. They splitted in two groups reaching new targets before returning in Mexico, Naiche leading the main group and Goyakla the other. Naiche apparently did not find another target and certainly joined the women and children in the Sierra de Pinitos, 1st of May. Naiche was worried because blue soldier troops followed him behind the renegades since they attacked the ranch where the young girl was captured. He wanted to ambush and stop them but he needed Goyakla and his warriors.

[coeurrouge]

Naithlotonz and Gokliz in Mount Vernon

Attachments:

[coeurrouge]

Thanks to the very interesting website apachéria.es

Beas-ketla (aka Sherman Curley) and his wife Djataize (aka Helen Curley)

Attachments:

[coeurrouge]

Aug 17, 2022 5:59:58 GMT -5 coeurrouge said:

Not know much about Nah-dozinne or Nazee. He was considered as a capitan of Cochise in 1872 and was certainly born circa 1840. In 1884, he was single and soon after certainly marrid two wives, I think :
Bah-na-geay (born c.1865) and Ee-lold-lahm (born c.1860) maybe two sisters. He had at least one boy Price born in 1891 who did not live a long time. Nah-dozinne came to mescalero in 1913.View AttachmentView Attachment



In 1907 Yanyego was in San Carlos Reservation census, n°755 in the San Carlos Apache and named Zanygo age 55

In 1910 USA census, Nah-dozinne was uncle of Zhonne (Calvin) which could mean that Nah-dozinne was a younger brother of U-go-hun mother of Zhonne and mother-in-law of Naiche.

[coeurrouge]

Hi,

I read that the skin drawing of Naiche in the early twentieth century arrived in a museum in my country (France). Are they always in France?

[coeurrouge]

Altogether, while they let Nat-cul-baye and certainly Beshe guided their women and children more south to escape the 10th cavalry’ soldiers, Naiche and Goyakla made the ambush. It was at the eastern side of la Sierra de Pinito. They placed their fifteen men and certainly Satsitnitsu above the soldiers in a U ambush. About 7:00AM the fight began and lasted one hour when Naiche ordered to leave appreciating but also carefull about the courage of these soldiers. But Naiche achieved his plan to stop the pursuit and gained some days in advance. The US soldiers, who releaved the black soldiers of 10th Cavalry, chased ghosts because they thought the renegades would go south.
Apparently, they took a rest of some days, in the northwestern of la Sierra de Pinito, twenty miles south of Nogales. 10th of May some warriors killed two Americans and the next all the band ambushed successvly two Mexican’s forces. They killed three men and caught thirhty-three horses with their supplies and ammunitions. They had no casualty. Naiche, realizing that the US Army wanted no rest for his band, decided it was time to find another option of surrender. First, they had to quit the mountains where they had several fights recently to avoid troops searching them.

He led his band thirty miles east. 14th of May, escorted by older’s warriors, the women and children moved north to the border, in the mountains east of Santa Cruz. In the same time, Naiche led a raid with nine warriors to get fresh mounts in schedule to reach Fort Apache quickly. Soon after guided by two Mexicans, new US troopers were spotted by the Chiricahuas. Naiche and his men tried to stop them, in the morning 15th of May, but the troopers succeeded to invade the camp, captured mounts, supplies and chased the inhabitants. Naiche did not quited before attempting to get back their belongings. At noon, while the troopers got a short rest in a spring, Naiche attacked with his warriors. They killed two soldiers and injured two others and recovered their stock. This troop retreated to Santa Cruz.
To avoid and put distance with this troop, the Chiricahuas moved southeast in the Sierra de Cananea. There they thought to take a rest of several days before moving north in Arizona. But another troop patrolling in the area attacked them, 16th of May an hour before noon. They had no casualty, again, but they lost horses, some guns and ammunitions. Worst for Naiche, a warrior was lost. He could reunite with them but enough of this life and anxious to see again his family at Turkey Creek, the warrior decided to leave his fellows and came north, alone, without arms and mount. This warrior was the closest friend of Naiche, since their childhood, Tah-ni-toe .

Naiche was persuaded Nantan Lupan was not the only American Chief who could decide their fate in Arizona. He tought it was possible that another would listen and allow them to come back safely in the reservation. It made sense for the majority of his band and all decided to follow Naiche. Goyakla was reluctant, it seemed, but isolated he followed. To penetrate in Arizona with women and children, Naiche needed a diversion which would enter in Arizona, by the Mules Mountains, east of their position. Ischi or Atelnietze led this group of five warriors. This group was composed certainly of single warriors who were, I think, Moth-sos, Kilthdiday, Hunlonah and Zhonne.
Whereas the diversion’s group moved east, 17th of May, Naiche and the rest of the band went back to Nogales. After killing five men in their way, 19th of May, they crossed the border west of Nogales. Apparently uncomfortable in Arizona, knowing a US Army‘s troop was one day behind them, Goyakla and Nat-cul-baye had second thoughts about Naiche’s plan and prefered to stay in Mexico, waiting for news. With them I think, stayed Kanseah, considered a warrior surely since Ulzana’s raid, Cruz the wife of Nat-cul-baye, the older wife of Goyakla Shta-she, the young girl Leo-shanne and the woman’s captive. Naiche continued northeast with nine warriors, his teenage “nephew” Satsitnitsu and fifteen women and children.

Naiche wanted to unite with the five’s men diversion. 20th of May they reached the Whetstone Mountains where they killed three men. They had marched, at least, one hundred miles accross mountains in three days, fighting along the road. Apparently, they rested, 21st of May and the next day moving north they raided a ranch to get beef food. But the raid was signaled and a civilians’ force surprised them some hours after, south of the Rincon Mountains. Losing some horses, the Chiricahuas escaped easily but Naiche thought to divide his forces. Moving north with all the band was too risky for the women and children. I think Naiche ordered the women and children to take refuge in the Rincon Moutains east of Tucson. He let Beshe, Nah-bay, La-zi-yah and Satsitnitsu to protect them.
With Ischi or Atelnietze, Yanozah, Yahe-chul, Ahnandia, Tsilnothos and Naclede, Naiche moved east to the Winchester Mountains where they met the five men diversion’s group, at the evening of 22nd of May. Four more men Kilthdigay, Hunlonah, Zhonne and Atelnietze I think, were sent, or because they did not want to go to Fort Apache, in protection of the women and children. Despite some skirmishes, Naiche’s plan got well at this time. To reach the Chiricahuas’camp at Turkey Creek, they still had to cross at least one hundred miles of territory with more enemies, American soldiers and civilians but also Apaches some maybe from their own tribe. And their few friends or knowledges would be watched by the soldiers like Naiche’s brother-in-law Eskiminzin.

In two days, discretly they arrived five miles southeast of the Chiricahuas’ camps. At sundown, 25th of May, Naiche and his men went to their kinfolk on foot. Naiche hoped he could allow his band to surrender in Fort Apache and to return in the reservation living like before the 1885’s outbreak. It is not sure if he was the only renegade to enter in the Chokonen’s camp, but he met his mother. He did not stay long, but he learnt much news. Dos-teh-seh, his mother, released his son was alived and in good health, gave informations to Naiche. If all his family in Turkey Creek was fine, his immediate family had really been moved to Florida with Kla-esch. Nantan Lupan was no more the commander in Arizona and quitted the area. The new general, named Miles, unthrustfull of the Chiricahuas and White Mountains’ scouts, discharged them. I think Naiche asked her mother what kind of surrender was possible and his mother enable to answer proposed to serve as emissary for Naiche.
Naiche said goobye to his mother and came back to his men to tell them what he learnt. Naiche was in an ill humor. The good news were no Chiricahua was still working for the US Army against their band and there were no more Apaches companies to fight them. But the new chief in Arizona was unknown, seemed to not be friend with the peaceful Chiricahuas and Naiche was unaware of the new General’s towards them. The fact Naiche had the confirmation his family was deported, one thousand and six hundred miles east of him, disheartened him deeply. He and his fellows had to wait the blue soldiers’ intentions through Dos-teh-seh.
They waited one day, certainly anxiously. Without news, fearing their horses and supplies could be discovered, they returned where they let their horses during the night of 26th of May. They did not know that Naiche’s mother with Etsohn, mother of Yahe-chul, had the authorization to look for the renegades and gave them the peace message of the Blue Soldiers. Early in the next morning, forward of his men, Naiche entered the canyon where they let their supplies and horses. He stopped, watched the scene for a time and continued. But soon after, feeling the ambush, Naiche crouched, shouting a warming cry to alert his men about a danger. A fire was shot, followed by several and US cavalrymen exited their hides. Naiche and his warriors had already scattered and went north in the rough country to force the enemy to abandon their horses or the pursuit. Did Naiche felt betrayed at this time? It is possible. Apparently, the next day he seemed to have met his mother or spoke with her from short distance. His mother told him the soldiers would accept their surrender and would treat them rightly. The two seemed to have bad arguments and quitted eachother with bad feelings.

Naiche, desperated, suspicious of treason maybe from his Chokonens, single and uncertained about the real intentions of the unknown new general, concluded they had to go back in Mexico. The young chief had lost his faith of a possible return in the reservation where they could live like they did before May 1885. Even the offer of Nantan Lupan about an exile of two years in Florida was maybe no more in the table. The only future they could see was not a pleasant one. It would be a survival with running, fighting again and again against two powerful nations. It would not be the way to build again a band.
Naiche thought apparently, he lost his family for ever. In his way back to Mexico, he was very disheartened but also ready to begin a new life to survive for him and the fellows he led. For their return as fast as they could, Naiche and his warriors needed new horses. To lure the blue soldiers, instead of going directly south, Naiche went northeast to the Eagle Creek. 30th of May they got what they wanted after slaying two men in Hampton’s ranch. They could move south to reach the Rincon Mountains and the rest of the band.
When they arrived there, 2nd of June, all were left certainly felt insecured near Tucson and in Arizona. Atelnietze certainly in command of the group decided without waiting Naiche to join Goyakla in Sierra Azul, Sonora. So, the next day, Naiche and his warriors also went south through the Whetstone Mountains. Along the way, between 3rd of June and 6th of June, they stole stock and forty horses, killing three men. Naiche’s plan was to enter Mexico by the Patagonia Mountains. 6th of June, they were surprised and attacked by soldiers but they saw the soldiers and could escape in Sonora keeping most of the horses they had stolen.
9th of June they joined, after two hundred miles of march since 30th of May, the rest of the band camping near the Azul Peak, in Sonora. Regarding their loot, their expedition without casualty, in a territory full of armed enemies, was a success. But, at this time, there was no festivity to do because most of them were tired and feared an attack at each moment. Naiche, looking for a new life, single but chief, needed and certainly wanted to find a wife. I think, it was at this time he married Ha-o-zinne, daughter of Beshe and U-go-hun.

The renegades concluded that if the blue soldiers were numbered and continued to harass them in USA and in Mexico, the troops had no Chiricahua’s scouts to guid them in Dzil-dotl-izhihi. Naiche decided to divide his band in three parts. They would join altogether just north of Sahuaripa in Dzil-dotl-izhihi. Naiche with his new wife, his new father-in-law Beshe and his wife U-go-hun, Zhonne his new brother-in-law, Hunlonah, nephew of Beshe, Moth-sos,Tsinolthos and his wife, Atelnietze, his two wives, his child and the new warrior Satsitnitsu went southwest in Sierra Cucurpe. Goyakla, his two wives Shta-she and She-gah, his son Naclede with his spouse Nochlon and Kanseah with the captive’s woman went east. Nat-cul-baye and Ischi led the last group, northeast. The brothers Nah-bay and La-zi-yah with their family accompagnied them as the single Kilthdigay, Yanozha, Ahnandia, Yahe-chul and their wives. Biyaneta, spouse of Ischi, Cruz wife of Nat-cul-baye, his son Alchintoyeh and his grandchildren, Garditha and Leo-shanne were with them too.
Naiche and his group after reaching the Sierra Cucurpe, continued south through the mountains west of the Rio Sonora. 17th of June, needing certainly supplies and mounts, Naiche led his warriors on a raid at Escondida killing four Mexicans. Apparently contented by what they got, they moved south until the Sierra de Aconchi where they camped and stayed about ten days. They quitted the area moving south and then east, surely crossing the Rio Sonora between Suaqui and La Labor. They were in march to join with the other groups of renegades. The rendez-vous would be in a campsite near the junction of the Rio Yaqui and the Rio Aros.

The weather was hot and rainy like every July in Sonora. 1st of July, Naiche’s group killed a man along their way, near Tepache, pointing out their presence. The man had certainly encountered Naiche’s group by random and the renegades had to kill this witness. About some days later Naiche and his group without casualty since they separated, reached the rendez-vous. Apparently, the group led by Nat-cul-baye and Ischi was already there or arrived soon after, also all safe. It was not the case of Goyakla’s little group. The Shaman’s group joined them about 10th of July. They taught they were attacked, 17th of June, by a Mexican’s force. If Goyakla shot to death three soldiers, his wife Shta-she was killed and scalped and the young captive’s woman escaped.
It seemed, that during these days Naiche was not feeling well. There he and his little band felt secure away from the blue soldiers who had not Apache scouts knowing well the Sierra Madre. And the Mexican’s forces were not a real threat. However, 13th of July, a warrior returning to the camp after a hunt, alerted the all camp. He saw Apache’ scouts preparing to attack the camp. Immediately, all the renegades escaped by the upriver, hided by the canebrake. They had just time to take their clothes, their weapons and some foods. This attack demoralized Naiche more.

He understood the blue soldiers would pursue them every where they would be, following every trail the renegades would let. They again needed to replenish their losses, especially mounts. Naiche led his band west to exit the Sierra Madre where he did not like to live since 1883. They went sixty to seventy miles west from the location of the attack. Goyakla surely guided them because the new campsite was only at twenty-five miles southeast of Ures and fourty-miles east of Hermosillo, Sonora State’s capital. The Chiricahuas did not often go so far in Sonora.
They camped in the Sierra Mazatan, isolated mountains, surrounded by plains. They waited an occasion to make an ambush. 23rd of July, they ambushed a sixty mules pack train. After slaying five men and letting one man and two women to escape, they charged what they needed on fifteen mules and quitted the scene. Some days later, the warriors launched a raid on a ranch to get horses. They succeeded to get enough mounts for their band and then Naiche led them north to the Rio Sonora valley. Beginning of August, they crossed the mountains and went northeast wanting to reach the Sierra de los Teras which seemed a better protected place. If the blue soldiers lost their trail, Naiche knew their enemies still looked for him and his band.

[coeurrouge]

North of Cumpas, looking for stock and apparently amunitions Naiche and his warriors attacked, 8th of August, the San Luis mines, killing two men. I think the women and children escorted by some warriors crossed the valley and gained the Sierra Madre moving north to the Sierra de Las Teras. On their way north along the valley, 9th of August, the warriors shot on a courier of the Blue Soldiers but missed the man. This man certainly gave his first alert in the Santa Rosa mines. Six Americans left these mines to follow the trail of the renegades. But Naiche and Goyakla fearing a pursuit made an ambush to stop them before joining their women children.
Twenty miles north of Cumpas, 11th of August one hour before noon, they ambushed the six Americans. The fight lasted six to seven hours. It was a hard one. Goyakla was injured, two Americans were wounded and three others were killed. The survivor escaped to Bacoachi. During the fight Naiche had a deadly duel with his Winchester. Naiche missed the American at his first shot, while the enemy injured lightly Naiche. The second shot of the young Nantan killed the enemy. After the fight the Chiricahuas took the weapons, the amunitions and the horses of their victims but they did not execut the wounded certainly by order of Naiche.

In their way to join their kinfolk they raided Turicachi and stole stocks, 12th of August. Full of plunder but exhausted, they needed time to a long rest and to think about their life during the next months and the winter coming. They used their old trick against the Mexicans to get time. 13th of August, at the evening, Goyakla spoke to three vaqueros just north of the Cuchuta Hacienda. He said the renegades wanted a truce. The vaqueros returned to their hacienda and came back with their alcade. The officer promised a meeting with the prefect of Fronteras two days later.
15th of August, Naiche, Goyakla and Nat-cul-baye met the prefect of Fronteras near the Cuchuta Hacienda. The prefect could not promise anything but said he would ask terms from the Governor of Sonora. Naiche and Goyakla said they could wait eight days and certainly asked for a pass to trade at Fronteras. Apparently, they obtained the agreement. Just after the meeting, the renegades moved fifteen miles northeast of Fronteras and established their camp on the top of a mountain.

19th of August, they send two women and two men to trade at Fronteras for mescal and food they did not have. The two women were Tas-de-the, the new wife of Ahnandia and Cruz the second wife of Nat-cul-baye who certainly had old trade partners at Fronteras. The two men, surely Ahnandia and maybe Kilthdigay, did not enter the city and waited the women some miles east of Fronteras. I think, in the same time Naiche moved their camp east of Batepito, north of the Rio San Bernardino. Naiche and Goyakla did not trust the Mexicans so they chose this campsite because it allowed them to watch from distance in every direction a possible threat. Even they would be attack, their enemies would have a very steep climb under fireguns to reach their camp.
In the evening, 20th of August at Fronteras, the women met a Lieutenant of the US Army. This officer said them to bring a message to their chiefs. The new commander in Arizona, was ready to spare the life of all the renegades. The next morning, with three horses loaded of foods and mescal, the women returned to their camp. With their escort of the two warriors, they certainly joined the camp during the afternoon.

Naiche was surely thinking of the next steps. Maybe he tought to join his uncle Mangas to have reinforcement for the winter and to make bigger raids. When the four Chiricahuas came back from Fronteras, they talked about the offer of the blue officer. But just the promise to have the spare of their life was not enough for Naiche to surrender. During two days, always on alert, the men had a mescal binge. They never really tought to have a permanent truce with the Mexicans, they just wanted time to rest and to trade. Naiche knew they have more days before moving again.
During the afternoon, 24th of August, the sentry Kanseah alerted that he saw, by his binoculars, two men approaching their camp. All the men took their guns and waited for news. Yanozah came near Kanseah to watch the coming men. Soon, he saw they were alone, Apaches and one hold a stick with a white flag. When the two apaches began to climb Yanozah recognized his “brothers” from his mother’ side, Kayitah and Eskinelata. Yanozah informed Naiche and the others. Goyakla hating the Chiricahuas who served as scouts wanted to kill them but he found a strong opposition of Yanozah, his last brother-in-law. Supported by other warriors, Yanozah got gain from the band toward Goyakla. Naiche certainly acted as chief and following the majority and his “brother’s” opinion, ordered to let the two Chiricahuas to come in the camp and listen why they risked a long journey from Turkey Creek and their life to meet them.

Eskinelata and Kayitah explained they were part of a little blue soldier’s expedition led by Nantan Bse-che. Their mission was to talk about a peacefull surrender with the renegades. They said that end of June, General Miles, the new head commander in Arizona, had a council with the Chiricahuas at Turkey Creek. He was accompagnied by Thomas Jeffords, the old friend of Naiche’s father. The general looked for volunteers to guid his peacefull expedition. After Tah-ni-toe and Yo-tah-ah declined, Noche and Pedes-klinje designated Kayitah and Eskinelata . They also talked about their life in the reservation. They raised stock and farmed some acres each, begining to be self-sufficient. They were well fed and sleep without fear. Kayitah warmed Naiche and his band that they had no more friends around them, surrender would be the best for them and maybe they could come back living near their kinfolk at Turkey Creek.
Hearing the two emissaries, Naiche was glad to learn that Tah-ni-toe was alived and safe in the reservation. He also understood that Yo-tah-ah, after his wife killed another woman in July 1885, lost his credit and finally joined the White Mountain during the last spring after he married a wife from Alchesay’s clan. Naiche was certainly reassured that his old friend Pedes-klinje, with Noche and Bish-to-yay, Kayitah’s father, took care of the Chokonens living in the reservation.
The two “brothers” of Yanozah also continued their story. First days of July, they were immediately sent to Fort bowie where they waited for a week Nantan Bse-che. He arrived with the interpreter Wratten, well known by the Chiricahuas since he had worked at San Carlos. With them were two civilians. At Fronteras they were joined by thirty scouts and their officer. The same scouts that attacked a month ago Naiche and his Chiricahuas.

After listening with attention Kayitah and Eskinelata, Naiche and Goyakla sent back the latter to Nantan Bse-che to show their peace intentions and ordered Kayitah to stay with them. Goyakla gave a gift and Naiche a message to the Lieutenant. Naiche said they were ready to talk about surrender terms with Nantan Bse-che the next morning and asked Eskinelata to guid the blue soldier to their camp. The renegades had certainly talkings during the night and apparently decided where the meeting would take place, that they wanted to return to the reservation as was allowed Tah-ni-toe. They also would send in front an unarmed man to watch the newcomers and Goyakla would again be their spokesman but Naiche would interfere if it would need.
25th of August 1886, in the morning, guided by Eskinelata, Lieutenant Gatewood came with food and tobacco to the meeting with Wratten, Lieutenant Brown and his thirty scouts. Soon they were spotted by the unarmed warrior who said Naiche and Goyakla wanted peace. He certainly returned immediately to his camp to inform that Nantan Bse-che was coming but with the Apache’s scouts. Naiche then ordered Ischi and two other warriors to intercept the Lieutenant. Naiche and Goyakla wanted to meet only Nantan Bse-che and certainly not the scouts who attacked them a month ago. Ischi had also to indicate the location Naiche chose for the meeting.
Ischi executed well the order. Armed, they told Gatewood to send back Lieutenant Brown and his scouts to their camp and informed Gatewood that Naiche wanted to discuss along the San Bernardino River under shade of trees. Apparently Naiche did not want that US soldiers saw their mountain camp. All the warriors came one by one except certainly Kanseah and Satsitnitsu who stayed with the women and children. Naiche was the last to arrive, sure that there was not a treachery. He was distant, with a sad attitude and shook the hands of Nantan Bse-che. After Nantan Bse-che shared the tobacco and after smoking, Goyakla began the talkings.

He asked to Gatewood, Miles’ terms for them. The Lieutenant answered Miles offered two options, a total surrender and to join Kla-esch and his group in Florida, waiting the final decision of the President of the United States or fight until death. Goyakla replied they were ready to surrender but only to return at Turkey Creek living as before in the reservation. But Gatewood said the offer of Miles was not negociable. The renegades suspended the meeting to discuss about theses terms. After one hour and lunch, through Goyakla they showed they were resoluted to refuse Miles’ terms.
Goyakla provoked Nantan Bse-che, saying “Take us to the reservation or fight!”. Feeling the lieutenant and Wratten seemed threaten by these words, Naiche reassured them that if they chose fighting, they could return in their camp safely. Then quietly Gatewood informed the Chiricahuas that in the same time they talked, general Miles was deporting all the Chiricahuas from Fort Apache to Florida. Even the renegades could return in the reservation they would live alone without their relatives and surrounded by Apache enemies ready to kill them whenever they could. The news of the deportation stunned incredibly Naiche and his fellows. Goyakla asked if Nantan Bse-che lied, he answered that he told the truth. Sawing Kayitah and Eskinelata chocked as them certainly convinced them that Nantan Bse-che was very serious.

The renegades suspended the council again to retire just some yards and talked between them. They were totally confused. At Naiche’s birth, thirty years before, the Chiricahuas owned the southwest of New Mexico and the southeast of Arizona but at this time it seemed there were no Chiricahuas anymore in the southwest of USA. Naiche and his band knew during this period they had lost their US homelands, that a lot of their kinkflok perished or disappeared and that their way of life was gone. But they still had the opportunity to live in a reservation together with a life if all did not like it, meant a survival project for their tribe. But the words expressed Nantan Bse-che, disorientated all of them. It was like a terrible fog in the darkness suddenly appeared in front of them.
They returned at the council after one hour of talkings. Goyakla was still their spokesman, but he was disjointed saying they would stay in the warpath, but they need to eat a beef first. Not finding cattle he asked Gatewood what kind of man was General Miles and advices of what to do. Until the end of the council, Naiche stayed quiet certainly conscious that all was said, and they had to take their final decision for their survival future. Tired, Lieutenant Gatewood stopped the council and, asking by Goyakla, he said that if he was one of their band he would surrender to Miles. He also adviced the renegades to take their decision during the night and informed him the tomorrow morning. With his interpreters he came back in his camp where was waiting Captain Lawton and his troops.

During the night the Chiricahuas talked about which decision they would take. Apparently Naiche was one of the last to say his decision, but it seemed he took it very soon after Gatewodd announced the deportation of the Chiricahuas living in Fort Apache. When he refused the exile of Nantan Lupan, five months before, he still tought he could surrender and return living among his band at Fort Apache. But this option was over if all had been deported. His wives and his children were already in Florida and he missed them very much. At this time, it was the turn of his mother, his sisters and all the Chokonens. Naiche certainly thought it was time to surrender and to share the fate of his band in exil.
The relatives of Goyakla, Ischi, Yahe-chul and Ahnandia were the first to announce their desire of surrender, following by Naiche and his Chokonens. All accepted to give up, but they would ask two conditions. They wanted to have a formal surrender in USA with General Miles and even they would be prisonners they wanted to stay or to live again with their family.

[juan]

Hello i was reading all of this information pretty interesting would like to know what book if there is one is the information in thanks. Hope there is a book

[coeurrouge]

No book yet and certainly never even I will try to be published. just my work based on research (books, NARA, helps from fellows in this forum) and my intuition I will have to confirm.

Thanks for the support.

[coeurrouge]

26th of August, in the morning, Naiche and Goyakla called for Nantan Bse-che near Lawton’s troops camp. The Lieutenant came and heard from Goyakla that the renegades would surrender to Miles north of the border. Until this formal surrender the Chiricahuas would keep their arms and would travelled apart from the troops. Naiche and his fellows wanted Lawton followed them just behind for protection against a Mexican attack and also that Nantan Bse-che, Wratten, Kayitah and Eskinelata stayed with them. Then Lieutenant Gatewood introduced Goyakla and certainly Naiche to Captain Lawton who accepted the renegades’ wishes until the surrender. They were agreed that the meeting with Miles would take place at Skeleton Canyon. After this meeting Naiche brought all his band just near of Lawton’s camp. They would wait about the pack train of Lawton.

27th of August, after the pack train was arrived, they moved north during the afternoon. The Blue soldiers and the Chiricahuas went separatly as expected, Naiche was in command of the Chiricahuas’s march. Naiche with his band camped some distance from the troops.

28th of August, like the blue soldiers, the Chiricahuas saw two hundred of Mexican’s soldiers coming to them apparently ready to fight. While Lawton sent officers to discuss and to inform the Mexican about the surrender of the Chiricahuas. Naiche and his fellows, joined by Nantan Bse-che and his few followers, decided to put distance with the Mexicans. Protected in the rear by Naiche and some warriors, they finally stopped after ten miles. They were ready to join the blue soldiers in the case of a fight between the Mexicans and the Americans. Just after their stop, a lieutenant sent by Lawton came and informed the Chiricahuas that the Mexican chief, the prefect of Arispe, wanted to hear from Goyakla that they really surrendered. Goyakla and Naiche accompagnied by some warriors and the US officers met the Mexicans. After a scene of bravados which almost became a fight, Goyakla expressed again their distrust of the Mexicans and his promise of surrender. The meeting ended and all came back to their camps. Uncomfort about the presence of so much enemies’ troops from both nation near them, Naiche decided to move early in the morning.

29th and 30th of August, even the Chiricahuas did their departure early the morning, they moved slowly because of the command of Lawton which made time to arrive.

31st of August, Captain Lawton let his command to a subordinate and reached a heliograph station to communicate with Miles. During his absence, the Chiricahuas and the troops crossed the border by the Guadalupe Canyon. When the dispatches of Miles were known by the troops, the officers openly talked about killing or seizing the renegades. Miles in his messages said he did not want to meet Goyakla and Naiche. He also suggested to elimate Naiche and the Shaman. Some Chiricahuas heard about the talkings and alerted the others. As Chief, Naiche certainly ordered to get away from the Guadalupe Canyon to avoid a deadly treachery. Nantan Bse-che overtook them after some miles of pursuit. He convinced them to stop and he invited Goyakla with Wratten and him to return confronting the officers. Standing up beside Goyakla and threatening to kill any officer who would attempt any treachery, Lieutenant Gatewood saved the peaceful surrender. With the hasty return of Captain Lawton, the calm came back. This attitude provoked by the messages of the head commander surely put definitivly in the mind of Naiche that all the blue soldiers were the same. He would keep his distant behaviour until the final surrender.

2nd of September, the Chiricahuas and Lawton’s troops reached their goal, Skeleton Canyon, west of the Peloncillo Mountains. Miles was not there in the great disappointment of the Chiricahuas while the day before Wratten, Kayitah and Ischi were send to Fort Bowie to hurry the General. This absence and the fact they saw the presence or trails of a lot of troops made them nervous. Naiche and Goyakla decided to camp deeper in the canyon, in high places. Apparently, they made two separate camps. Did they have arguments or did they want to avoid a total destruction if an attack occurred? I do not know. I think with Goyakla were his wife She-gah, Biyaneta the wife of Ischi, Yahe-chul, Ahnandia, Naclede, Yanozah with their wife and Kanseah. All the others, eleven warriors, eight women and five children were camping with Naiche. Naiche returning in USA seemed to hesitate about the surrender. The delay of Miles and bad memories about the fate of his grandfather and his other “father” stressed certainly him.

3rd of September, in the afternoon, General Miles finally arrived ready to accept the surrender of the renegades. Goyakla came down the mountain to meet him. Naiche did not. Officialy he was waiting anxiously the return of Atelnietze from Mexico. But I think Naiche delayed as long as he could the surrender because he was in a melancholic stupor and did not trust Miles. After his meeting with Miles, Goyakla came with Nantan Bse-che in Naiche’s camp. They found the chief on a bluff, more watching the Chiricahuas Mountains he cherished than waiting for Atelnietze who was maybe present in the camp. Goyakla explained that the General promised to be reunited with their family in Florida. When they would be there, as prisoners of war, the Grandfather of USA would decid about their fate. Goyakla expressed his good feelings about Miles. The missing of his family, the words of Goyakla and the fact Nantan Bse-che recalled Naiche that he had to respect his surrender promise convinced the young Chief.

4th of September, Naiche, putting outside his mind his fear, came down to meet Miles. But he came alone. He wanted to known what had to say Miles. The General explained they would go to Fort Bowie, took a train and go east to join Kla-esch in Florida. In the same place, all the Chiricahuas from Fort Apache would go too. The renegades would be considered as Prisoners Of War but they could stay with their family. Miles promised that nobody would harm the renegades. Certainly, still suspicious Naiche accepted to give up, an unknown future as prisoner and led his group to the formal surrender. Naiche was the last Chief of a Native American Tribe to surrender to the USA.

5th of September, Naiche, Goyakla, surely Biyaneta, Moh-tsos, Kilthdigay and Hunlonah went to Fort Bowie with Miles. They arrived in the evening at the Fort, joining Ischi and Kayitah. Naiche would wait the remanants of hid band in the fort. Fort Bowie was the symbolic adversary of the Chokonens in the mountains that his father owned by commanding his band until his death.

8th of September the whole band arrived in the morning at Fort Bowie with a new member, the little daughter of Naclede and Nochlon born the evening before, but without seven others who escaped and came back Mexico. Naiche’s loyal “brother” with all his family were among them. Atelnietze after another provocation from a young officer, decided that he prefered the life in the Sierra Madre he knew than the uncertain and threatening future in Florida. With his two wives, his child, his son Satsitnitsu, at this time a warrior, Nat-cul-baye and his wife Cruz they went south. It was certainly another psychologic pain to Naiche, this day.
I think Atelnietze’s group looked for and found Mangus’ group . They exchanged informations and when Mangus learnt about the deportation of the survivors of his extended family, he led his group north. I think Nachol and his family stayed with Atelnietze in the Sierra Madre. In his way north, the stealing of mules at Corralitos by the two teenage boys Daklugie and certainly Istee, definitively convinced Mangus to surrender. He would do it near Fort Apache, 18th of October. With him, were his wife Dilth-cleyhen, his mother Bey-gin-shoos, his stepdaughters Bes-hade and Chestuen, his daugther Cora, his son Tsil-tsoe, certainy his nephew Chachu, his brother-in-law Istee, the orphan’son of Tandinbilnojui, Daklugie and two warriors Eskineltze and Goso.

8th of September 1886, some hours after the troops disarmed the warriors, Naiche and his band were put on wagons in direction to Bowie Station. There, with the two scouts Kayitah and Eskinelata, the interpreter Wratten, soldiers to escort them, Naiche and his band got on a train. It quitted the station just before 3:00 PM to the east, to Florida. At this time the US government declared the end of the Apache’s wars even Atelnietze would lead several raids and fights during years.
Just before enter in the train 8th of September 1886, Naiche was feeling the ground of his birthland, under his feet, for the last time of his life. Leaving Arizona, he certainly contemplated for his memory the sacred mountains of his Chokoken’s band, Tse-ga-ta-hen-de, the Chiricahuas Mountains.

NEXT : PRISONER OF WAR AND NANTAN.

[seeker]

Just a quick comment to coeurrouge - Thank you for such an interesting read about Naiche. It's surprising that there has not been a book written about him when there have been about so many other influential Apache from that time frame.

Whether you ever publish a book or not, thank you again for your dedication to telling this story. I look forward to more.