By: HISTORY.com Editors

1886

Geronimo surrenders

Geronimo, Apache Chief
Corbis via Getty Images
Published: November 24, 2009Last Updated: August 27, 2025

On September 4, 1886, Apache leader Geronimo surrenders to U.S. government troops. For 30 years, the Native American warrior had battled to protect his tribe’s homeland; however, by 1886 the Apaches were exhausted and outnumbered. General Nelson Miles accepted Geronimo’s surrender, making him the last Native American warrior to formally give in to U.S. forces and signaling the end of the Indian Wars in the Southwest.

Geronimo was born in 1829 and grew up in what is present-day Arizona and Mexico. His tribe, the Chiricahua Apaches, clashed with non-Native settlers trying to take their land. In 1858, Geronimo’s family was murdered by Mexicans. Seeking revenge, he later led raids against Mexican and American settlers. In 1874, the U.S. government moved Geronimo and his people from their land to a reservation in east-central Arizona. Conditions on the reservation were restrictive and harsh and Geronimo and some of his followers escaped.

This Day In History: 09/04/1886 - Geronimo Surrenders

George Eastman patented his roll film camera and registered the trademark Kodak on September 4, as Russ Mitchell recaps for us in this video clip from This Day In History. Many other historical events also happened on September 4, and are recapped. Thomas Edison supplied the first electricity to the first customers of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company in New York City, and President Truman made the first live, coast to coast television broadcast, which was about the Peace Conference in San Francisco. Also on September 4, Geronimo surrendered to General Nelson Miles after thirty years of fighting.

Over the next decade, they battled federal troops and launched raids on white settlements. During this time, Geronimo and his supporters were forced back onto the reservation several times. In May 1885, Geronimo and approximately 150 followers fled one last time. They were pursued into Mexico by 5,000 U.S. troops. In March 1886, General George Crook (1829–90) forced Geronimo to surrender; however, Geronimo quickly escaped and continued his raids. General Nelson Miles (1839–1925) then took over the pursuit of Geronimo, eventually forcing him to surrender that September near Fort Bowie along the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Geronimo and a band of Apaches were sent to Florida and then Alabama, eventually ending up at the Comanche and Kiowa reservation near Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory. There, Geronimo became a successful farmer and converted to Christianity. He participated in President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade in 1905. The Apache leader dictated his autobiography, published in 1906 as Geronimo’s Story of His Life.

He died at Fort Sill on February 17, 1909.

How Geronimo Eluded Death and Capture for 25 Years

The legendary medicine man and guerrilla warrior was so expert at eluding the enemy, he was considered to be protected by supernatural powers.

Close up portrait of Geronimo

The legendary medicine man and guerrilla warrior was so expert at eluding the enemy, he was considered to be protected by supernatural powers.

By: Dave Roos

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Citation Information

Article title
Geronimo surrenders
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
August 29, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
August 27, 2025
Original Published Date
November 24, 2009

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