#mangascoloradas

Yanozha; Chiricahua Apache

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Taken in Florida, circa 1885

Domingo; Mescalero Apache

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Notchi more known as George Noche, Chiricahua Apache

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Chato, Subchief of the Chiricahua Apache

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Chief Mangas Coloradas

 A Bedonkohe, more commonly known as Mangas Coloradas, was an Apache tribal chief and a member of the Mimbreño (Tchihende) division of the Central Apaches, whose homeland stretched west from the Rio Grande to include most of what is present-day southwestern New Mexico. He was the father-in-law of Chiricahua chief Cochise, Mimbreño chief Victorio, and Mescalero (Sehende) chief Kutu-hala or Kutbhalla (probably to be identified with Caballero). He is regarded as one of the most important Native American leaders of the 19th century because of his fighting achievements against the Mexicans and white Americans. In the summer of 1862, after recovering from a bullet wound in the chest, Mangas Coloradas met with an intermediary to call for peace. On January 18th 1863 he was brutally murdered by U.S Army Soldiers under command by Joseph R. West after having decided to meet with U.S military leaders Fort McLane (Apache Tejo) in southwestern New Mexico. Mangas Coloradas was promised provisions in return for peace but the cruel American Government did not want peace with the Apache people.  He arrived under a flag of truce to meet with Brigadier General Joseph R. West, an officer of the California militia and a future. He was taken into custody by white armed soldiers. Sinister General Joseph R. West gave an execution order to the sentries. The same night Mangas Coloradas was cruelly, inhumaly tortured, shot, and had his life taken under the pretext of a supposed escape attempt.