From the beginning of the European migration to North America Native American peoples were used by the newcomers as resources in adapting to the new world. The Apache Scout so familiar to most Americans from Western movies filled that role for the U.S. Cavalry from the middle of the nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. With American’s westward expansion brought the Army of the United States into direct conflict with the Native American tribes of the midwestern plains and the southwestern deserts, the clash of so very different cultures made it imperative that the army not only learn about their new opponents but that they learn from them as well.
On July 28, 1866 by an act of congress the President of the United States was authorized to “…enlist and employ in the Territories and Indian Country a force of Indians not to exceed one thousand to act as scouts…” This legislation created the U.S. Army Indian Scouts. Apache scouts were foremost among the Native American scouts that the army recruited and used in the west. These scouts came from a number of different Apache tribes including the White Mountain, Chiricahuas, Mescalero, Tonto, San Carlos, and Jicarilla. At the beginning of their service in the army they were distinguished from other Apaches by their red turbines, but as time went by they generally also wore the U.S. Army Cavalry blue coats.
In August 1871 General Cook was made commander of the U.S. forces in the Arizona Territory and was given the principal task of bringing the Apaches under control and onto the reservations. He recognized the necessity of Apache scouts and was convinced that the American horse soldier could not defeat the Apache without their help. He knew what few others in the army were willing to admit. The Apaches warriors were better horsemen, they were better conditioned to live and fight in the harsh desert conditions, and that he and his army would never find the Apaches they were after using standard cavalry tactics. Although many in the army questioned his policy of using Apaches to find Apaches it proved to be the answer the army needed for victory. During the later stages of the Apache Wars (1851-1886) Apache scouts working for the army were the principal reason for the eventual defeat of the great Apache chiefs Cochise, Victorio, and Geronimo.
Apache scouts continued to work with the U.S. Army into the 20th century. They were involved in the Punitive Expedition in 1916 as the U.S. 11th Cavalry pursued Pancho Villa into northern Mexico. Their courage, unique qualities of analysis, and attention to detail earned them high praise from officers in the 11th Cavalry.
Apache scouts were active with the U.S. Cavalry through World War I until 1921 when the army discontinued the Indian Scouts. Their work for the U.S. Army from 1866 to 1921 was invaluable, providing a service no one else could have done.
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