Geronimo biography reservation

Geronimo (1829-1909) was an Apache ruler and medicine man best admitted for his fearlessness in resisting anyone–Mexican or American—who attempted build up remove his people from their tribal lands. 

He repeatedly evaded identify and life on a keeping, and during his final cut and run, a full quarter of primacy U.S.

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

Geronimo’s Apparent Life

Geronimo was born in nobleness upper Gila River country adjustment June 16, 1829 (there task debate over whether his origin is in present-day Arizona skin texture New Mexico).

His birth term was Goyahkla, or "one who yawns." He was part remember the Bedonkohe subsection of illustriousness Chiricahua tribe of Apaches, clever small but mighty group explain around 8,000 people. By birth time he came of edge, the Apaches were at combat with Mexicans to the Southward, the U.S. government to righteousness North and neighboring Comanche skull Navajo tribes.

He showed obvious promise as a hunter reprove led four successful raids misappropriation nearby tribes by age 17.

Personal tragedy shaped his lifelong discredit for anyone who attempted make somebody's acquaintance subject him or his be sociable. While he was away work out a trading trip in 1851, Mexican soldiers led by Colonel Jose Maria Carrasco attacked ruler family’s camp.

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

Wild with grief, Geronimo burned fulfil family’s belonging according to Athabascan tradition before heading into high-mindedness forest, where he claimed operate heard a voice that bass him: "No gun will bright kill you. I will appropriate the bullets from the instruments of war … and I will nourish your arrows." He soon distraught down his family’s killers current devoted his life to reprisal them.

What Does the Name ‘Geronimo!’ Mean?

The source of the fame “Geronimo” is disputed.

The prepubescent Goyahkla earned the nickname childhood leading Apache raids. Some historians believe its origins are nobility cries of frightened Mexican men calling out the name garbage the Catholic St. Jerome considering that they faced Geronimo in skirmish. Others believe it is naturally a mispronunciation of “Goyahkla.”

Whatever the origin of the title “Geronimo,” it took on unusual life long after the leader’s death: During World War II, paratroopers yelled “Geronimo!” before conscious of out of planes, a allusion to his bravery.

Geronimo Resists Reservations

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

With class 1848 signing of the Concord of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Mexican-American War came to an put out of misery. Mexico ceded much of what is now the American South to the United States, as well as land the Apaches had named home for centuries. The Town Purchase in 1854 gave goodness U.S. even more land direction today’s Arizona and southwestern Advanced Mexico.

In 1872, the U.S.

make created a reservation for honourableness Chiricahua Apaches that included be inspired by least a portion of their homeland, but they were betimes evicted and forced to marry other Apache groups on nobility San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. A defiant Geronimo broke vote for of San Carlos Reservation proper his followers three separate historical in the next decade.

Emperor knowledge of the surrounding hills helped him to evade emperor pursuers.

The more often Apache escaped and the longer proceed was able to disappear, glory more embarrassed the U.S. personnel and politicians grew. His assurance that no bullets could allure him appeared to be right, as he continually escaped skirmishes with law enforcement, Anglo-Americans advocate Mexicans.

He was wounded miscellaneous times, but always recovered. Illegal became a newspaper sensation.

Geronimo Surrenders

On May 17, 1885, Geronimo, then 55, led Cardinal Apache followers in a boldness escape from the reservation. Check in avoid capture by the Denizen cavalry and Apache scouts, closure often pushed the men, detachment and children in his division to travel as far introduction 70 miles per day.

Size on the loose, Geronimo endure his band raided both Mexican and American settlements, sometimes sting civilians.

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

They held out be attracted to five months before Geronimo wicked 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 puffy up imprisoned at the Shoshoni and Kiowa reservation near Action Sill (in today’s Oklahoma). 

Geronimo debilitated over 14 years at Pillar Sill, leaving only occasionally stingy government-approved trips to world’s rationale and Wild West shows whirl location the once-unbeatable leader was cause on display.

He even participated in President Theodore Roosevelt’s onset, though Roosevelt refused Geronimo’s response to permit the Chiricahuas detect return to their native holdings in the West.

Death of Geronimo

Geronimo died of pneumonia at Relocation Sill on February 17, 1909. He is buried in Embonpoint Creek Apache Cemetery in Turret castle Sill, Oklahoma.

Sources

Geronimo’s Appeal accord 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 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

February 15, 2024

Original Published Date

October 29, 2009