Sierra Vista Writers Group March 13, 2024

Council Rock-Perspective

Council Rock- A perspective short story

        Council Rock is part of the rock wall face of the Dragoon Mountains visible from Sierra Vista. It is located on the Northwestern end of the rocky range. In 1872 an important meeting was held there. Chicahua Apache leader Cochise and General Oliver Otis Howard met to forge a truce ending an  11-year war. The meeting was facilitated by Cochise’s only white friend, frontiersman Tom Jeffords.

         It is just a simple limestone rock in the midst of a towering rock wall facing west across the San Pedro valley. Warmed by the afternoon sun, it watches over the valley and sees all that passes.  It bore silent witness as history unfolded beneath its weather-worn face. When men came, it stoically observed them scratching the land for sustenance and riches. Hunters in breechcloths stalked all manner of animals, big and small. They dug pits to live in and covered them with brush. Down by the river, they tended crops of beans and squash. Men wearing the shiny helmets of the Conquistadores passed through, but didn’t stay. Then a fierce band of warriors drove the bean eaters off. More men came from the south trailing cattle to the abundant grassland of the valley. The native warriors stole the cattle and killed the herders, but not before the grass gave way to mesquite and creosote bushes.

                        Then the pale-skinned people came with their picks and their greed. They carried a new banner with stars in a deep blue sky and some colorful stripes. At first the warriors who lived in the mountains welcomed them. Their good will would soon be tested beyond all measure. The pale faced men did not trust them and coveted their realm. Some incident in the neighboring mountains had caused them to fight. Whatever it was it started a war that raged for eleven long seasons. The Whites were losing.

         Most of the pale faces who had tried to make their living by raising cattle or digging holes in the ground for rocks they thought precious had left during the war. Only warriors wearing blue coats remained. They patrolled the valley from their camp in the big mountains to the east. They carried their red, white and blue ensign to use as a rallying point in battle. The Bluecoats  guarded travelers passing through the territory of the native warriors.

Camped near the feet of Council Rock were the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua, their wikiups hidden from view among the rocks. They called themselves the Dine’, but everyone else called them Apache. There are good reasons for this term. Apache means enemy in a dozen native tongues. They are a powerful people who survive by cunning and don’t take kindly to intruders.

      Their rocky stronghold offered a good view of the valley of the Rio San Pedro. Sentinels on the crest of the rugged mountains scrutinized the approaches from the east. No movement went undetected. The Bluecoats from the White man’s fort at the springs of the Apache could never surprise the people.

         One morning the alarm was sounded. From the top of the mountain, the cry was relayed to the tall, broad-chested leader of the band. Riders were approaching the northern end of the of their rocky sanctuary. They had travelled undetected across the valley of the Sulphur springs at night. Now they were in full view of the sentinels. There were three white men, two in blue coats. Accompanying them were two men who appeared to be Indian guides. Near the rock, the leading warriors pondered the situation. A company of Dragoons would be a threat, but a handful of White men with horses were a prize.

         Who were these people? No white man, save Red Beard, was welcome in Apacheria. A runner was dispatched to bring the intelligence needed to set the trap. Hours later, the runner returned having concealed himself from prying eyes as he scampered through the rocks.

         Leading the riders was none other than Red Beard, the only white friend of the Apache. Riding with him were two Bluecoat Nantans and two Apache warriors from another band. One of the Bluecoats was a big chief with stars on his shoulders. The other wore the two silver bars of a Bluecoat subchief. Why would Red Beard, who called himself Tom, bring these intruders to the Apache camp?

         A hurried council of warriors concluded that the Dine’ were about to be betrayed by Red Beard. Their own Nantan, called Cochise by friend and foe, was undeterred. He trusted Red Beard. Years earlier, the two had made a peace. Red Beard’s mail carriers were the only whites who could travel through the land of the Chokonen unescorted.

            The decade of war had weakened the Apache. Cochise was getting older and wearing down. Three white men were not a threat. “Let them come. Here their words.”

         Two boys on horses were sent unarmed to guide the intruders. In camp, they were greeted by a subchief. The party camped for the night with the Dine’. The children were fascinated by the visitors. The Bluecoat Nantan with the stars played with them. He seemed kindly, like the holy men who once traveled here form the missions. His right sleeve dangled uselessly at his side. This Bluecoat had been wounded in battle. He must be very brave. Later, by the firelight, he opened a black book and silently peered at its writings. The holy men in the brown robes had carried such books.

         The next day, a tall, handsome Apache appeared in the camp. He embraced his friend Red Beard. “Tom” revealed the nature of the visit. The Great Father in Washington had sent the armless Bluecoat Nantan to make peace. Cochise looked relieved. There would be a parley. The circular space in front of the rock’s stony face was selected for the meeting.

         Pollen was offered in each direction to gain the favor of the mountain spirits. Tobacco was shared. The white Nantan was called General Howard. Cochise greeted him with “Buenos dias Señor.” Then he spoke to Tom in the language of the people. “What was the purpose of this visit?”

         The General explained that he had been empowered by president Grant to make a peace with the Apache. Cochise offered up his many grievances using Red Beard to translate. Howard listened attentively. The General promised rations, cattle and farming equipment if the People would settle on a reservation. He then offered Cochise reservation land on the Rio Grande. Cochise frowned and explained that his band consisted of mountain people. “Why not Apache Pass, from the Dragoons to the Chiricahuas?” He said with a sweeping gesture.

         General Howard acceded to the request. Peace was agreed to. Nantan Howard promised to inform the troops at the white man’s fort at Apache Pass that the war was over. Accompanied by a lone Dine’ guide, he rode to Camp Bowie. By the time Howard returned, Tom and the other Bluecoat Nantan had erected a pole with a white flag on a knoll just below the camp. It could be easily seen by anyone who approached.

         That evening, the warriors held another conference, their fire illuminating the front of Council Rock. By the next morning, the peace with the Bluecoat Nantan was formalized. The final demand was that Red Beard, Tom Jeffords, be appointed to serve as their agent. Howard readily agreed. Then the one-armed Nantan offered presents. Cochise admired the peace medal with the Great Father’s image. The red, white and blue banner symbolizing the peace would hang from his wikiup.

         Before leaving General Howard placed a stone on a mesa, and said, “As long as the stone should last so long would the peace continue.”

         But the peace didn’t last. Cochise would soon be laid to rest in a rocky crevasse not far from the rock where the peace had been made. Jeffords quit as the Peoples’ agent. Some bad Indians raided into Mexico. Greedy, fearful White men would covet the land given to the Dine’ by the Great Father. The People would be forced to leave. This caused Council Rock to weep. The tears from the rocky wall rolled down the valley to where the peace rock had been placed by the Bluecoat Nantan. They soon became a torrent. The stone was washed away.

LDT March 13, ’24

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