Cochise Character Analysis in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Apache chief who, inspired by his father-in-law, Mangas Colorado, waged war against white settlers in the Southwest. Cochise was a beloved, influential Apache chief, and as a result he was an important part of the government’s negotiations with the Apache tribe in the 1870s. Cochise died in 1874, leaving the Apaches without a strong leader.

Cochise Character Timeline in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

The timeline below shows where the character Cochise appears in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

In the spring of 1871, white men made contact with the Apache chief Cochise, and invited him to Washington, D.C. In 1861 Cochise had been ambushed by American soldiers... (full context)

For the next ten years, the Apaches—led by Chief Cochise, as well as his father-in-law, Mangas Colorado—waged violent war against white men in the Southwest.... (full context)

After the end of the Civil War, the government made peace overtures to Cochise and the Apaches. Cochise refused to cooperate with a peace delegation. Apache fights continued to... (full context)

...need for food to the president. Colyer met with other chiefs, but never spoke to Cochise. He arranged for a courier to find Cochise, but the courier failed to find him.... (full context)

After months, General Crook’s agents tracked down Cochise. By this time, Cochise was an old man. Crook’s agents offered to move to Apaches... (full context)

While Cochise’s agreement gave the Apaches good land, some of the Apaches continued to defy the U.S.... (full context)

In 1874, Cochise became ill. Without a strong leader, the Apaches were mostly confined to their reservations, or... (full context)

...Chiricahua and Apache reservations. Crook, a gentler man than he’d been when he hunted down Cochise ten years ago, took care of the Native Americans under his control, providing them with... (full context)