Cochise

Cochise (C. 1812 - June 9th 1874) was a chief apache Chiricahua.

Probably born in Arizona, it is in 1861 wrongfully marked of the removal of a white child by the American authorities. After him to have proposed hospitality under his tent, lieutenant Bascom tries to take it as an hostage to obtain the release of the child. If Cochise succeeds in escaping, several members of its family are captured. Quickly, the weather is captive four captive American to negotiate the release of Apaches retained. Finally soldiers and Apaches carry out their respective hostages. Ulcerated by the hanging of his/her Coyuntura brother and two of its nephews, Cochise then begins an open war which will last more than ten years. It is combined then with his father-in-law Mangas Coloradas and he becomes chief of a band of 200 warriors Chiricahuas and Mimbrënos.

He undertakes a war of resistance against the white colonists who invade his territory. With the battle of Apache Not in 1862, it undergoes a defeat vis-a-vis artillery of the general James Carleton. He becomes shortly after the Apache main leader following the death of Mangas Coloradas captured by treachery, tortured and put at death. He takes refuge with his companions in the mounts Dragoon and Chiricahua and they escape their prosecutors during nearly 10 years, making reign terror on all the Apache territory. Then, one day, a White, Thomas Jeffords, charged to transport the mail and to cross the Apache territory, saw Cochise, without weapons, with a white flag. They were, all two the, honest ones, men of word, honest. A friendship was born that time will not destroy. Cochise engaged so that the mail always passed without being attacked, since it was about personal mail, and not from message of the army. The guerilla continued but “the mail” always passed without the least hitch. In 1872, advised by Tom Jeffords, Cochise agrees to engage of the peace negotiations with the general Oliver O. Howard. The two parts get along on the cessation of hostilities and the creation of a reserve with Sulfur Springs, on the Chiricahua territory in the condition that which will direct the reserve is his/her friend, Thomas Jeffords. Cochise lived there until its death in 1874.

Quotations

" They are always the weak ones which loses. A long time we were strongest. Now, we are weakest. We will be beaten and we will die, slowly if one succeeds in locking up us in reserves, quickly if one destroys us during a battle. Then it will be your turn. After finishhaving finished some with us, you will turn to other people. I am certain that you will never cease beating you counter these people which are on remote grounds, on the other side of the oceans and which speak about the incomprehensible languages. Will you be stronger than them? Will they crush you? It does not matter. I know only one thing: you will fight without respite. Everywhere where there are living beings, the war is permanent. We other Indians, we approach our end. Yours will come too. A strong man always meets a man stronger than lui." With his/her friend Thomas Jeffords.

" Shikissen, my brother, do you believe that you will still re-examine me in life? I feel death to come, it will be for tomorrow morning around ten hours. Do you believe whereas one finds oneself? During my disease, I on the occasion to very often think of it, and I came from there to the conclusion which friendly truths meet up there, further that the mountains, some share beyond the skies. It is what I crois." With Thomas Jeffords. 1874.

" This is a good long voyage. Over there, the flies devour the eyes of the horses. Bad spirits haunt these places. I want to remain in our mountains, where their water so often refreshed me. I do not want to leave my pays." Answer made after the proposal concerning the displacement of its people on the reserve of Tularosa to New Mexico.

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