Cochise was one of the most noted Apache leaders to resist intrusions by Mexicans and Americans during the 19th century.
14 Facts About Cochise
2.
Cochise was described as a large man, with a muscular frame, classical features, and long, black hair, which he wore in traditional Apache style.
3.
Cochise was about 6 feet tall and weighed about 175 pounds.
4.
Cochise deepened his resolve, and the Chiricahua Apache pursued vengeance against the Mexicans.
5.
Cochise maintained his innocence and offered to look into the matter with other Apache groups, but the officer tried to arrest him.
6.
Cochise escaped by drawing a knife and slashing his way out of the tent, but was shot at as he fled.
7.
Cochise eventually took hostages to use in negotiations to free the Apache Indians.
8.
However, the negotiations fell apart, because the arrival of US troop reinforcements led Cochise to believe that the situation was spiraling out of his control.
9.
Cochise joined with his father-in-law Mangas Coloradas, the powerful Chihenne-Chiricahua chief, in a long series of retaliatory skirmishes and raids on the white settlements and ranches.
10.
Cochise believed that the Americans had violated the rules of war by capturing and killing Mangas Coloradas during a parley session.
11.
Cochise evaded capture and continued his raids against white settlements and travelers until 1872.
12.
Cochise died of natural causes in 1874, and was buried in the rocks above one of his favorite camps in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains, now called the Cochise Stronghold.
13.
Whether a portrait of Cochise exists is unknown; a reported portrait is actually that of a 1903 Pueblo of Isleta man named Juan Rey Abeita.
14.
Cochise married Dos-teh-seh, the daughter of Mangas Coloradas, who was the leader of the Warm Springs and Mimbreno local groups of the Chihenne band.