jjares reviewed The Apache Scouts: The History and Legacy of the Native Scouts Used During the Indian Wars on + 3270 more book reviews
The Apaches fought the Spaniards, the Mexicans, and the US government over the years in the southwest part of the US. The Mexicans and the Apaches were mortal enemies; there was no middle ground, Each considered the other only worth killing. The American troops were also unsuccessful with the wily and clever Apache.
After the Civil War, a new commander came into the region: George Crook. He wanted to defeat the Apache but he was willing to listen. He was also sympathetic to those who wanted peace. Over the years, the Army had used various tribal members as scouts. However, there were problems with various tribes for various reasons. However, Crook decided that it took an Apache to find an Apache. Success was instantaneous.
This book tells a very interesting tale about how they were recruited, their terms of employment, problems they had, and why the Apaches were so good. The author explains why Apaches would sign up to work for the Army. At one point, there were 600 Apache scouts working with the Army. Crook understood that the Apache were religious people and the Apaches were allowed to carry the items they considered necessary for their religious rites.
What I liked about this book was that the reader sees another view of the Apache. They did not like scalping; harming an Apache dead body made it hard or impossible to reach heaven. Apaches lived in small bands, so any death was a serious blow to them psychologically and economically. There are also reports written by soldiers explaining how good the Apache scouts were and why it was impossible to catch them without using Apache scouts. The variety of photos were amazing.
Since Crook was good at his word, Apaches knew he would honor their rights after they surrendered. Of course, the US government undid Crook's positive work by combining reservations (to save money) and putting incompatible Apache tribes together. This caused a breakout that led to more deaths. Crook finally resigned in disgust with the US government undercutting his word and breaking Crook's promises.
Unbelievably, after the Apache scouts served, they were still sent as prisoners of war with the same renegade Apaches they helped capture (to distant reservations in Oklahoma). The last of the Apache scouts retired in 1947. This is something that is rarely mentioned and it had great significance.
After the Civil War, a new commander came into the region: George Crook. He wanted to defeat the Apache but he was willing to listen. He was also sympathetic to those who wanted peace. Over the years, the Army had used various tribal members as scouts. However, there were problems with various tribes for various reasons. However, Crook decided that it took an Apache to find an Apache. Success was instantaneous.
This book tells a very interesting tale about how they were recruited, their terms of employment, problems they had, and why the Apaches were so good. The author explains why Apaches would sign up to work for the Army. At one point, there were 600 Apache scouts working with the Army. Crook understood that the Apache were religious people and the Apaches were allowed to carry the items they considered necessary for their religious rites.
What I liked about this book was that the reader sees another view of the Apache. They did not like scalping; harming an Apache dead body made it hard or impossible to reach heaven. Apaches lived in small bands, so any death was a serious blow to them psychologically and economically. There are also reports written by soldiers explaining how good the Apache scouts were and why it was impossible to catch them without using Apache scouts. The variety of photos were amazing.
Since Crook was good at his word, Apaches knew he would honor their rights after they surrendered. Of course, the US government undid Crook's positive work by combining reservations (to save money) and putting incompatible Apache tribes together. This caused a breakout that led to more deaths. Crook finally resigned in disgust with the US government undercutting his word and breaking Crook's promises.
Unbelievably, after the Apache scouts served, they were still sent as prisoners of war with the same renegade Apaches they helped capture (to distant reservations in Oklahoma). The last of the Apache scouts retired in 1947. This is something that is rarely mentioned and it had great significance.
