Biography of Cochise

Cochise (c. 1805–1874) was one of the most respected leaders of the Chiricahua Apache. Born in the early 1800s in what is now Arizona, Cochise grew up during a time when his people lived freely across the deserts and mountains of the Southwest. Known for his strength, intelligence, and leadership, he became chief of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apache.

Early Life

As a young man, Cochise earned a reputation as a brave warrior and a skilled horseman. His people depended on him to protect their lands from enemies, both Native and non-Native. He learned traditional Apache ways and valued honor, loyalty, and freedom above all else.

Conflict with the U.S. Government

In the 1860s, tensions grew between the Apache and U.S. settlers and soldiers. In 1861, an American officer wrongly accused Cochise of kidnapping a boy. When Cochise denied it and tried to talk peacefully, the soldiers attempted to arrest him. He escaped, but his family was taken captive and killed. This betrayal started more than ten years of warfare between Cochise’s band and the U.S. Army.

Leadership and Resistance

Cochise proved to be a clever and determined leader. He used his knowledge of the land to resist U.S. forces, often outsmarting soldiers in battles across the deserts and mountains. Many Apaches and even some non-Native allies respected his fairness and courage. Despite the fighting, Cochise was not cruel—he wanted his people to live freely, not to destroy others.

Peace and Death

By the early 1870s, after years of conflict, both sides were tired of war. In 1872, U.S. General Oliver O. Howard worked out a peace treaty with Cochise, allowing the Apache to live on a large reservation in their homeland. Cochise honored this peace until his death in 1874. He was buried secretly in the Dragoon Mountains, a place sacred to the Apache.

Legacy

Cochise is remembered as one of the greatest Apache chiefs, a man who fought fiercely for his people’s freedom but also sought peace when it became possible. Today, places like Cochise County in Arizona are named after him, honoring his role in American history.

Discussion Questions

1. What qualities made Cochise a respected leader among the Apache?
2. How did misunderstandings and broken trust lead to war between Cochise and the U.S. Army?
3. Why was the peace treaty of 1872 important for the Apache people?
4. How can Cochise’s story help us understand conflicts between Native Americans and settlers in the 1800s?

Glossary

• Apache – A group of Native American tribes from the Southwestern United States.
• Chiricahua – A band of the Apache people led by Cochise.
• Reservation – Land set aside by the U.S. government for Native Americans to live on.
• Treaty – A formal agreement between two groups or nations.
• Betrayal – Breaking trust by acting against someone unfairly.

Interesting Facts

• Cochise’s name may mean “oak” or “having the quality of oak,” symbolizing strength.
• He was over six feet tall, unusually tall for his time and people.
• The peace treaty of 1872 was one of the few U.S. treaties with Native leaders that was kept during his lifetime.
• Cochise’s burial place is still a secret, known only to his people.
• Cochise County, Arizona, was named in his honor.

Timeline

• c. 1805 – Cochise is born into the Chiricahua Apache in present-day Arizona.
• 1861 – Wrongly accused of kidnapping, Cochise escapes an ambush; war with the U.S. begins.
• 1861–1872 – Leads resistance against U.S. soldiers in Arizona and New Mexico.
• 1872 – Signs peace treaty with General Howard; Apache allowed to remain in their homeland.
• 1874 – Cochise dies and is secretly buried in the Dragoon Mountains.