Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Apache "Broken Foot" On Western Wednesday...!

I think we sometimes write the older guys off when it comes to the important things, like fighting.

Someone forgot to tell ol' "Broken Foot" of that fact. He showed up many of the younger warriors in several encounters with the whites.


Kas-Tziden Nana

Nana_(Nanay),_a_Chiricahua_Apache_subchief,_full-length,_seated,_1886_-_NARA_-_530800


Kas-Tziden, which means “broken foot” in Apache, suggested Nana’s lameness in his left foot and constant suffering from rheumatism. This disability, and the fact that he was 81 years old, meant nothing to the Apache war leader.

Nana of the Chihenne or Warm Springs Apache was born around 1800 and later married the sister of famed tribal warrior Geronimo. They had five daughters, all of whom married tribal chiefs and renowned warriors. It was perhaps his capability in weaving alliances among the various Apache groups that allowed him to form a war band. In 1881, not content to leave the fighting to the younger generation, he led one of the greatest Apache raids the country would see.

Nana and his 15–40 warriors covered 1,600 kilometers (1,000 mi) of enemy territory, from the mountainous regions of Mexico to the plains of the southern United States. Along the way, they fought Mexican and American troops in multiple engagements, killing and wounding dozens of soldiers and capturing hundreds of horses and livestock. For several weeks, the US cavalry chased Nana and his band fruitlessly, never capturing the 81-year-old warrior with the lame foot. The Apache raiders returned to their territory safe and unmolested, bringing unrivaled loot. Nana remained free until 1886, when he was captured while fighting alongside Geronimo, and lived out the rest of his days in peace in Fort Sill, Oklahoma until his death on May 19, 1896.

Well, from one older guy speaking for another, I think the old man was a hero of sorts. Certainly had his share of backbone, ya know?

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Let's toast to the old guys!

8 comments:

Chickenmom said...

We certainly could use leaders with backbone today! All ours are now wearing tutus.

Sixbears said...

Old ain't dead!

linda m said...

I'm raising my coffee cup to the "old guys". Just because a number tells people your age doesn't make it so. So here's to us old guys. Long may we live!!

texasann said...

Hear, hear to all of the above! Don't know what I'd do or where I'd be today without my older guy Big Brother!
Big Old Hugs today ~

Baby Sis

Dizzy-Dick said...

Don't ever count out the old guys!! If we have to fight, we fight to win with no holds barred!!

Mamahen said...

I raise my cup also in honor of this brave man and all of us older folks :))

JO said...

Of all the reading I have done on the Apache it never did mention anything about his broken foot. He was a tough old guy fighting for what they felt was theirs. I surely will raise my cup to him.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
Guess that most of ours don't consider having any backbone an important thing. That's a shame.

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Sixbears...
Boy, you got that right!

Thanks for the visit today!



Hey Linda M...
Man, I'll certainly drink to that!

Thanks for the visit this morning.



Hey Sis...
I'll take all the hugs I can get! None wasted there!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Dizzy...
Boy, ain't that the truth. Only way to go!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Mamahen...
Wasn't much quit in the old guy, that's for sure!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Jo...
He was definitely tough.

Thanks, sweetie, for dropping in today!