Lot
869 
Fort Bayard, N. Mex., Feb 1, 1886, discernible cds on cover to Rhode Island, franked with 1883, 2¢ red brown canceled by quartered cork, with original enclosure with interesting content regarding Apache leader Geronimo…It seems as if this Indian War was almost over. Geronimo has sent his squaw, four children and Nanni in as hostages - wants to meet Gen'l Crook in old Mexico at the next moon to have a talk to settle things…Capt Crawford's death was very sad…the Mexican troops mistook his Navajo scouts for hostiles and fired into them. The Capt. was shot while tring to explain who they where, F.-V.F. Estimate $300 - 400.
Geronimo and his band was one of the last major forces of independent Native American warriors who refused to accept the United States occupation of the American West. In the Geronimo Campaign, the Army with Apache Scouts pursued Geronimo and his small band, initially under the command of General George Crook. Geronimo negotiated a "surrender with General Crook but fled the next morning with a small portion of his followers." In 1886 Captain Henry Lawton lead the expedition that brought Geronimo and his followers back to the reservation system for a final time. With Lawton's tenacity for wearing the Apaches down with constant pursuit, Geronimo and his followers had little or no time to rest or stay in one place. Completely worn out, the little band of Apaches returned to the U.S. with Lawton and officially surrendered to General Miles on September 4, 1886 at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona.
Realized: $425