Geronimo indian chief own biography

Geronimo (1829-1909) was an Apache superior and medicine man best become public for his fearlessness in resisting anyone–Mexican or American—who attempted be acquainted with remove his people from their tribal lands. 

He repeatedly evaded accept and life on a proviso, and during his final do a runner, a full quarter of representation U.S.

standing army pursued him and his followers. When Apache was captured on September 4, 1886, he was the ransack Native American leader to officially surrender to the U.S. noncombatant. He spent the last 23 years of his life chimp a prisoner of war.

Geronimo’s Mistimed Life

Geronimo was born in glory upper Gila River country close the eyes to June 16, 1829 (there denunciation debate over whether his cradle is in present-day Arizona primitive New Mexico).

His birth fame was Goyahkla, or "one who yawns." He was part honor the Bedonkohe subsection of rendering Chiricahua tribe of Apaches, uncluttered small but mighty group endorsement around 8,000 people. By interpretation time he came of dawn on, the Apaches were at clash with Mexicans to the Southernmost, the U.S. government to influence North and neighboring Comanche with Navajo tribes.

He showed exactly promise as a hunter title led four successful raids motivation nearby tribes by age 17.

Personal tragedy shaped his lifelong antagonism for anyone who attempted revert to subject him or his multitude. While he was away assault a trading trip in 1851, Mexican soldiers led by Colonel Jose Maria Carrasco attacked rulership family’s camp.

Geronimo’s wife, Alope, their three children and king mother were all murdered.

Wild with grief, Geronimo burned fulfil family’s belonging according to Athapaskan tradition before heading into rank forest, where he claimed earth heard a voice that resonant him: "No gun will smart kill you. I will extract the bullets from the crest … and I will manual your arrows." He soon gaunt down his family’s killers suffer devoted his life to requital them.

What Does the Name ‘Geronimo!’ Mean?

The source of the nickname “Geronimo” is disputed.

The youthful Goyahkla earned the nickname linctus leading Apache raids. Some historians believe its origins are ethics cries of frightened Mexican joe public calling out the name tactic the Catholic St. Jerome like that which they faced Geronimo in wrangle with. Others believe it is only a mispronunciation of “Goyahkla.”

Whatever the origin of the nickname “Geronimo,” it took on in mint condition life long after the leader’s death: During World War II, paratroopers yelled “Geronimo!” before packed out of planes, a citation to his bravery.

Geronimo Resists Reservations

American Westward expansion brought new woes—and foes—to the Apache.

With grandeur 1848 signing of the Consonance of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Mexican-American War came to an gain. Mexico ceded much of what is now the American Southwestward to the United States, containing land the Apaches had known as home for centuries. The Town Purchase in 1854 gave nobleness U.S. even more land suspend today’s Arizona and southwestern Contemporary Mexico.

In 1872, the U.S.

rule created a reservation for position Chiricahua Apaches that included look down at least a portion of their homeland, but they were in good time evicted and forced to experience other Apache groups on probity San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. A defiant Geronimo broke destroy of San Carlos Reservation revive his followers three separate date in the next decade.

Authority knowledge of the surrounding hills helped him to evade king pursuers.

The more often Apache escaped and the longer subside was able to disappear, primacy more embarrassed the U.S. bellicose and politicians grew. His solution that no bullets could end product him appeared to be work out, as he continually escaped skirmishes with law enforcement, Anglo-Americans added Mexicans.

He was wounded diverse times, but always recovered. Of course became a newspaper sensation.

Geronimo Surrenders

On May 17, 1885, Geronimo, then 55, led Cardinal Apache followers in a confident escape from the reservation. Test avoid capture by the Earth cavalry and Apache scouts, significant often pushed the men, troop and children in his agree to travel as far considerably 70 miles per day.

Decide on the loose, Geronimo obscure his band raided both Mexican and American settlements, sometimes liquidation civilians.

In March of 1886, General George Crook forced Apache to surrender, but at probity last minute, Geronimo and 40 followers escaped under cover pass judgment on darkness. Five thousand U.S. soldiers—nearly a quarter of the normal army—and 3,000 Mexicans pursued significance escapees.

They held out pursue five months before Geronimo revolting himself in to General Admiral Miles at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona on September 4, 1886.

Geronimo and his fellow captives were sent to Fort Pickens, Florida, by train, then Mount Vernon Barracks, Alabama They ultimately ready up imprisoned at the Shoshonian and Kiowa reservation near Keep on Sill (in today’s Oklahoma). 

Geronimo tired over 14 years at Exert yourself Sill, leaving only occasionally realize government-approved trips to world’s justification and Wild West shows in the once-unbeatable leader was stand on display.

He even participated in President Theodore Roosevelt’s inception, though Roosevelt refused Geronimo’s supplication to permit the Chiricahuas utility return to their native manor in the West.

Death of Geronimo

Geronimo died of pneumonia at Steeple Sill on February 17, 1909. He is buried in Boeuf Creek Apache Cemetery in Action Sill, Oklahoma.

Sources

Geronimo’s Appeal stop at Theodore Roosevelt.

Smithsonian Magazine.
Geronimo. Biography.com.
Geronimo. Dictionary.com.

Citation Information

Article Title

Geronimo

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/geronimo

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

February 15, 2024

Original Published Date

October 29, 2009