Description
Born Warrior
Lozen Chiricahua Apache Warrior and Prophet
Lozen (c. 1840 – June 17, 1889) was an Apache warrior and prophet born to the Mimbres tribe of Apache in 1840. She was the sister of Victorio, a prominent chief. In legend, she used her powers to gather information about enemy movements during battle. She was thought to understand horses and hear and see enemy movements. By observing the intensity of the heat, she could determine the enemy’s distance. According to Kaywaykla, “She could ride, shoot, and fight like a man, and I think she had more ability in planning military strategy than did Victorio.”
When Lozen was a very young child, she began riding horses and was considered an expert rider by the age of eight. Her parents knew from an early stage that she would not follow the traditional female role. As her father and his father before him, she was a born warrior who enjoyed hunting and playing rough games with her brother, Victorio, and the other boys in the tribe. Her skills with a bow and arrow and a sling were excellent.
Lozen’s homeland Ojo Caliente in New Mexico was a stretch of land rich with gold. Apaches were often slaughtered during so-called peace negotiations between Indian council members and gold seekers. These included Mexicans, Spaniards, and the incursion of white fortune seekers also called “white eyes”.
As Victorio’s apprentice, Lozen rode alongside him and led warriors on many successful raids against white prospectors who attacked peaceful Apache camps. However, their efforts failed to stem the tide of settlers entering their country.
Throughout the Southwest, the U.S. government sent troops to provide protection for settlers along the Santa Fe Trail by building army posts. To prevent further war, Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes sent representatives to various Indian nations to negotiate peace. Although Lozen and Victorio attended these meetings, they were skeptical about the promises made by white leaders. Prior to this, the U.S. government breached agreements made with the Apaches and forced Lozen and other Chiricahuas to settle on the Warm Springs Apache Reservation in San Carlos, Arizona.
The Apaches fled Warm Springs on September 2, 1877, after much discussion, Victorio, Geronimo, and Lozen decided to leave the reservation along with all those who desired to return to New Mexico. Following the departure of the group, the soldiers attempted to convince them to return to the reservation. A warning was given that any Indians found outside the reservation would be killed by soldiers.
“We’ll not be killed; we’ll be free,” Lozen replied. “What is life if we are imprisoned like cattle in a corral?” As a result of Lozen’s words, her brother vowed to stay and fight to return to his homeland. A warrant was issued shortly thereafter for his arrest. Apaches waged war against soldiers attempting to bring their chief to justice. The Chiricahuas experienced trials and conflicts throughout which Lozen demonstrated her value as a warrior and scout.
Victorio and Lozen fought together against Americans who had appropriated their homeland around Black Mountain in west New Mexico. Lozen inspired women and children who were frozen in fear to cross the surging Rio Grande while the band fled and fought American forces in Victorio’s War (1879–1881). “I saw a magnificent woman on a beautiful horse—Lozen, sister of Victorio. Lozen the woman warrior!”
Late in Victorio’s campaign, Lozen reluctantly agreed to remain behind to assist the mother with birth. Once she delivered the infant, Lozen then escorted the mother and newborn to the Mescalero Apache reservation through the Chihuahuan Desert from Mexico. When she arrived in Tres Castillos, she learned that Mexican and Tarahumara Indian forces under Mexican commander Joaquin Terrazas had killed Victorio and most of his warriors.
Following Geronimo’s breakout in 1885 from the San Carlos reservation, Lozen fought alongside him in the last Apache war campaign. Apache leaders were relentlessly pursued. Lozen was exhausted and sought to negotiate a peace treaty that stipulated that Apache leaders would only be imprisoned for two years before release. Geronimo would cease fighting if they all returned to Turkey Creek, New Mexico, and lived on farms. General Miles explained to Geronimo that he could only convey the message to his superior officers. He stated that this was their last opportunity to surrender. Geronimo reluctantly surrendered.
Apache rebels believed they had a strong resolve until it was discovered that all Chiricahuas had been rounded up and sent to Florida. The American leaders rejected the peace treaty. In retaliation for the Chiricahua Apache’s resistance to imprisonment, the entire tribe – more than 500 people most of whom lived on the San Carlos Reservation – was deported from Arizona. In a manner similar to packing cattle, US soldiers placed all the Indians in two cars. A number of people died en route to the coast. Lozen traveled as a prisoner of war to Mount Vernon Barracks in Alabama. Like many other imprisoned Apache warriors, she died of tuberculosis while in confinement on June 17, 1889.
Numerous times native tribes tried to make treaties with the emigrants who deceived their trust. Time revealed these individuals intended to conquer the land and its resources. Lozen along with her tribe desired freedom. Freedom on a land they they rightfully own, lived on, and occupied for generations. In her time, few women were recognized as warriors. She fought side by side some of the greatest names in American History. Her strength and gifts lead her tribe as far as it could. Lozen inspired women and children who were frozen in fear to cross the surging Rio Grande while the band fled and fought American forces in Victorio’s War (1879–1881). “I saw a magnificent woman on a beautiful horse—Lozen, sister of Victorio. Lozen the woman warrior!” Though she passed away in confinement, her gifts and courage and legacy could never be confined.
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