Crawford affair facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crawford affair
Part of Geronimo's War, Apache Wars
Date January 11, 1886 Location near Nacori Chico, Sonora, Mexico Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Emmet Crawford  †	Mauricio Corredor  †
Strength
~100	~150
Casualties and losses
1 killed 4 wounded	4 killed 5 wounded

The Crawford affair was a battle between Mexico and the United States. It happened in January 1886 during the Geronimo Campaign. Captain Emmet Crawford led a group of Apache scouts. They were attacked by Mexican Army soldiers in Sonora, Mexico. Captain Crawford was shot and later died. His death almost caused a war between the United States and Mexico.

Why Did the Crawford Affair Happen?

Following Geronimo's escape from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona, the United States Army began a mission. This mission was called the Geronimo Campaign. Its goal was to capture Geronimo, an Apache leader who had fled into Mexico.

Captain Crawford's Mission

During this mission, Captain Crawford of the 3rd Cavalry was ordered to go south. He was to pursue the Apache natives. He took nearly 100 Apache scouts with him. Lieutenants Marion P. Maus, William Shipp, and Samuel L. Faison were also part of his team. Famous scout Tom Horn and a translator named Concepción joined them.

Crawford and his group left Fort Apache on December 11, 1885. They crossed the border at Agua Prieta. Crawford told the Mexicans he was chasing hostile natives into the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. He also made a truce with the Mexicans. This was to keep his group safe from the Mexican Army.

Finding the Apache Village

On January 8, while marching through the mountains, the Apache scouts found signs of an Apache village. For the next two days, Crawford pushed his scouts forward. He wanted to attack the village before the enemy could escape. The scouts moved quietly through the canyons all night on January 9 and into January 10. Many scouts got hurt falling in the dark. But they kept going for eighteen hours until they reached the village.

They attacked at daybreak on January 10. A few of Geronimo's Apaches and some horses were captured. Most of the Apaches fled. Crawford decided to let his men rest at the camp. They were very tired from their long journey.

The Conflict Unfolds

Apache Scouts at Fort Wingate in New Mexico Territory during the 1880s.

In the afternoon of January 10, the Americans and their Apache scouts were setting up camp. An Apache woman came to tell Captain Crawford that Geronimo was nearby. She said Geronimo wanted to talk. They agreed to meet the next day to discuss ending the Geronimo campaign. Everyone expected peace.

Unexpected Attack

The next morning, Captain Crawford was woken by a sentry. The sentry warned that Mexican troops were coming. Crawford's Apaches thought they were other Apache scouts. They started shouting calls in their language. But the Mexican force, which included some Tarahumara natives, opened fire.

Captain Crawford quickly grabbed a white flag. He rushed to a large rock and climbed to the top. He was clearly visible to the Mexicans. Crawford, wearing his blue coat, waved the flag. He and Tom Horn shouted "Soldados Americanos" (American Soldiers). Lieutenant Marion P. Maus later reported that the Mexicans knew they were firing at Americans. A Mexican government investigation also agreed with this.

After the first shots, a small group of Mexicans moved forward. Lieutenant Maus went to talk to them. Maus told them they were American soldiers and would not shoot back. He turned to go back to camp. But Captain Crawford told him to speak with the Mexicans again to make sure they stopped firing.

Crawford is Shot

Maus turned back towards the Mexicans. But they opened fire again. One bullet hit Captain Crawford in the head. It was reportedly fired by the Mexican commander, General Mauricio Corredor. The Apache scouts were very angry after seeing their leader shot. They immediately fired back at the Mexicans.

The two sides fought for about an hour. Then the Mexicans waved a white flag. The Americans lost Captain Crawford, who died on January 18. Four other men were wounded, including Tom Horn, who was shot in the arm. The Mexicans lost four men killed and five wounded. General Corredor was among the wounded. He had killed Victorio, an important Apache war chief, six years earlier.

Aftermath of the Affair

Emmet Crawford in 1876.

When the Mexicans raised the white flag, the fighting stopped. Lieutenant Maus and Tom Horn went to talk with the Mexican soldiers. They learned that the Mexicans were trying to get rewards for capturing Apaches. The Mexican government offered money for this.

Tom Horn eventually went back to his side, leaving Lieutenant Maus alone with the Mexicans. As Maus tried to leave, the Mexicans demanded some mules. They needed the mules to carry their wounded. Maus agreed and gave them six mules. However, the Mexicans seemed like they would not let Maus go. So the Apache scouts let out a loud war cry. This scared the Mexicans, and they let the lieutenant go.

Impact of Crawford's Death

The United States Army later said that if Crawford had lived, he would have met with Geronimo. They believed this would have ended the war sooner. Crawford's death was a big event in Nebraska. His funeral was one of the largest in the state's history.

The body of the well-liked captain was moved in 1908 to Arlington National Cemetery. A large marble obelisk was built over his grave. Crawford's death almost started another war between the United States and Mexico. But after the Americans finished their investigation, the matter was not pursued further. Crawford, Nebraska, near Fort Robinson, was named after the captain. Lieutenant Maus received a Medal of Honor for his bravery.