Apache scouts (U.S. Army Indian Scouts) came from different Apache tribes or bands. Most of their service was in the Apache wars of the 1870s to 1890s, where they were the eyes and ears of the US military and sometimes the cultural translators for the various Apache bands and the US military. This Manual of Style has the simple purpose of making things easy to read by following a consistent format — it is a style guide. ... The Indian Scouts of the United States Army were Native Americans recruited primarily to assist and fight in the Indian Wars of the Western United States. ... It has been suggested that Traditional Apache scout be merged into this article or section. ... Geronimo, before surrender to General Crook, 17 Apr 1886 The Apache Wars were fought during the nineteenth century between the U.S. military and many western tribes. ...

There has been a great deal written about Apache scouts, both as part of US Army reports from the field and more colorful accounts written after the events by non-Apaches in newspapers and books. Non-Apache civilians were also employed by the military as scouts. Men such as Al Sieber were sometimes in charge of small groups of 'Indian scouts'. [German Version] Albert Sieber (1843 - 1907) was born 1843 February 27th in the morning früh 9 Uhr in [Mingolsheim] (= now Bad Schoenborn), Baden, Germany as 13th of 14 children. ...

As was the custom in the US Military, scouts were enlisted with anglo nicknames or single names. Typical military field reports generally list the military unit, officers, sometimes the civilian scouts and the number enlisted men and scouts that were attached. Many Apache scouts received citations for bravery.

Apache Scouts by band

It is important to note that Apaches were lumped together as a group by outsiders. However, while they may have shared many similar customs and language, they defined themselves by loose bands which tended to be associated with a geographical area. A band was semi nomadic and had clan and kinship ties with neighboring groups. Thus, a western Apache band did not have many ties to an Mescelaro (eastern) band and might be very distrustful. Apache Scouts were usually grouped in operational units by band.

Western Apache Scouts

Tonto scouts were recruited to assist General Crook find Delshay group of Tonto Apache (Western Apaches) who fled the Verde reservation in 1873-74. Apaches from the Yumas, Mohaves, and Tonto bands were enlisted. Crook's Chief of Scouts, Albert Sieber always seemed to have 'his' Tonto scouts with him through the Apache Wars. The Tonto Apache (Apache Dilzhę́’é) (also Dilzhee, Dilzhe’eh Apache) is a one of the groups of Western Apaches and also refers to one of the three dialects of the Western Apache language (a Southern Athabaskan language). ... Commanding officers house and reenactor playing General Crook Fort Verde State Historic Park in the town of Camp Verde, Arizona, is a small park that attempts to preserve parts of the Civil War-era fort as it appeared in the 1880s. ... [German Version] Albert Sieber (1843 - 1907) was born 1843 February 27th in the morning früh 9 Uhr in [Mingolsheim] (= now Bad Schoenborn), Baden, Germany as 13th of 14 children. ...

White Mountain scouts served with Company A (Lt Gatewood) from Ft. Apache in 1885-6.

Chiricaua Apache Scouts

General Crook had high praise for this group which is composed of several bands. "Chiricahuas were the most subordinate, energetic, untiring and , by odds, the most efficient of their command" (Crook Resume of Operations quoted in Conquest of Apacheria p 364). These scouts were sent to Florida by General Miles, along with those who they tracked for 16 months (1885-86), as if these Apache Scouts were hostiles to be punished.

Warm Springs (Mimbres band) and Chiricahua (band) Scouts served in Company B under Lt. Britt Davis in the above period.

Mescalero Apache Scouts

In 1885 Mescalero Scouts were with Major Vanm Horn and Cavalry from Fort Stanton on the Rio Grande trying to prevent Geronimo, Nana and others from crossing .

Refrences

Most books which cover any portion of the United States and Apache conflicts will mention Apache Scouts.

• Thrapp, Dan L. (1995). Al Sieber: Chief of Scouts. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. 0806127708. 
• Anon (1956). Record of Enlistments in the United States Army,"Volumes 150-151 (1866-77) Indian Scouts. Washington D.C.: National Archives [Microcopy 233]. 
• Thrapp, Dan L. (1979). The Conquest of Apacheria. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0806112867. 
• Bourke, John G. (1980). On the Border with Crook. Time-Life Books. ISBN 0809435853. 

See also

• Apache wars These roughly covered a period from 1870-1890.
• Medal of Honor list for Indian wars, many are Apache scouts
• Navajo Scouts
• Indian scouts
• Traditional Apache scout