The Force of Evil Circumstances: The Apache Scouts at Cibecue

Abstract

Led from their cells to the waiting gallows, the three Apache scouts walked past the assembled witnesses: three troops of cavalry, a single infantry company, and two companies of their fellow Indian scouts.¹ Upon surrendering themselves they had protested their innocence, but were now resigned to their fate. They refused to beg for their lives. That would not be the Apache way. Addressing the onlookers for a last statement, one stated that to beg would only bring laughter and ridicule.²