National Park Service

Description

(1) Fort Bowie was established in 1862 in the southeast corner of what is today the state of Arizona. The creation of the Fort followed armed conflict between the U.S. military and Apache groups over the Apache Spring, an important water source along the Overland Stage route. The fort was intended to control Apache pass, the eastern entrance to the land acquired in 1854 through the Gadsden Purchase. The First Fort was little more than a temporary encampment and was replaced by adobe buildings in 1868. (2) Fort Bowie became one of several operating bases for military missions designed to locate, capture, or kill Apache combatants in southeast Arizona. Commonly called the ⿿Apache Wars⿝, this era consisted of a series of armed conflicts between Native American tribes, particularly Apache bands, and the U.S. Military. Conflicts between each group mostly ceased following the surrender of Geronimo and other Chiricahua Apache fighters at Fort Bowie in the mid-1880s. As a direct result of these conflicts, many Apache bands were placed on reservation lands located in Arizona and Oklahoma. (3) A number of publications exist on the history of Fort Bowie and military operations in Arizona Territory. Many of these publications, however, focus on written accounts of battles and perspectives from Anglo-American commanders and soldiers. Similarly, recent publications also identify Apache battle strategies for guerilla style warfare. Few of these publications, however, provide descriptions of Apache perspectives.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Others

Contact

Grants Management Officer Kelly Adams <br/>Kelly_Adams@nps.gov<br/>
Kelly_Adams@nps.gov