onimo angered Brig. General George Crook and he sent his most loyal scout, Chatto after the renegade Apache.'I am willing to lay down my life for Crook.' Chatto, 1885
In 1886 Brigadier General Crook had every reason to believe the ten month long Geronimo war was over. For three days he had discussed terms of surrender with the Chiricahua leaders Geronimo, Naiche and Chihuahua. The Apaches had finally agreed to peace on the 27th March 1886.
Crook gave the credit for the peace talks to his chief scout, Chatto often spelt Chato) who had led Crook and his army into the Apache camp where Geronimo and the rest of the hostiles were hiding out.
Geronimo and Chatto had once been firm friends but by now they detested each other, with Geronimo claiming that Chatto was serving t
he whites against his own people and had sold his soul.'Geronimo is such a liar that I can't believe a word he says.' General Crook 1890
Geronimo died in 1909. He was a prisoner of war at the time of his death.
Chatto died in 1934 from complications after an auto mobile accident.
History remembers Chatto as a traitor to his own race but the chief firmly believed that by helping the whites he was better serving his people. While Geronimo is a symbol of freedom and great courage. This history however is much more complicated and fascinating.
See Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown for an excellent and exhaustive look at the American Indian wars, including the Geronimo/Chatto saga
No comments:
Post a Comment