Goyahkla (Geronimo) and Lozen surrender

Today we celebrate the long resistance of Goyahkla (Geronimo) and other Apache fighters including Lozen, the sister of Bidu-ya (Victorio). As remembered by James Kaywaykla, an Apache child who was present during Victorio's war, Lozen was a female warrior who helped the women and children cross the Rio Grande in 1877, a “magnificent woman” on a beautiful horse, holding a rifle above her head. After assisting in the crossing she returned to the rest of the warriors. He remembers Bidu-ya (Victorio) saying “Lozen is my right hand. Strong as a man, braver than most and cunning in strategy. She is a shield to her people.” After the fall of Bidu-ya (Victorio), she fought for Apache leader Kas-tziden (Nana) and then finally for Goyahkla (Geronimo) never captured until the day of their surrender in 1886. The final free band of Chiricahua numbered only 37. They included 18 warriors, 13 women, and six children including two infants. They remained at large while around 5,000 employees of the United States Army (a quarter of the force) were stationed in the area to track the Apache. Around 3,000 Mexican soldiers and a little less than 1,000 volunteers were also put to the task. Despite these forces, their surrender was only brought about through the manipulation of American General Nelson Miles who forced the Apache relatives of San Carlos Reservation into a prison in Florida. This surrender is considered the end of the Apache wars, acts of resistance which lasted in many waves and campaigns for 38 years across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Sonora, Mexico.