First founded in 1877 by Captain Samuel Whitside and 2 companies of the 6th Calvary, Fort Huachuca is a place of military history straight out of the wild west.
The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 had opened up the southern portions of the territories succeeded by Mexico from the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 to the developing United States of America. A condition of the purchase was that the U.S. would secure the border and keep Apaches from raiding into Mexico.
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| Typical dress uniform of U.S. Army Dragoons from the mid 19th century |
Fort Huachuca provided a base of operations for U.S. Calvary and infantry units to conduct patrols and security operations against the Apache. With the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 the Apache wars were brought to a close.
The story of the Apache wars and Geronimo are quite amazing and a lot more convoluted than generally known by people today. Such things as how the Army used Indian scouts that served with distinction with the army as well as new regiments of black soldiers or that the Apaches also gave the Mexican military just as much a headache as the U.S. Army.
The Buffalo Soldiers
In 1866 six regiments of black soldiers were formed comprising of cavalry and infantry. Many of these units would see action all over the American West during the Indian wars and many earned high honors for their service during those campaigns. The term Buffalo Soldier was given to these troops by the Indians who remarked that their hair was that like the buffalo. This remark is often considered racy today but is a part of the cultural history and the tenacity of these units proves their place in military history.
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| 24th Infantry in the Phillipines 1902 |
The 24th infantry regiment was the first to arrive at Ft. Huachuca in 1892. Various units of the regiment would rotate in and out of the post from then until WWII when they were incorporated into the 93rd infantry unit. During that time these units would see action in the Spanish - American, Philippine-American, Punitive (Mexican Revolution), WWI and WWII.
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| The emblem for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. |
Today Ft. Huachuca is the location of the U.S. Army Intelligence Command and the Intelligence Museum is an interesting visit.
An interesting fact is that the Sphinx was selected as the symbol for M.I. back in 1923. This statue was moved here in 1974 from Ft.George Meade Maryland as Ft. Huachuca became the center for Army Intelligence. The Sphinx is considered to be an ancient creature that represented strength, wisdom, and mystery.
Colonel Eifler was one of the founders of special operations, first serving in the LAPD and border patrol in the 1930's and called to service in WWII. In WWII he was selected to serve with the OSS in Burma, conducting special operations against the Japanese while training Kachin rebels in Northern Burma. These units organized guerrilla operations against Japanese forces throughout the area. Above is a modified Thompson sub-machine gun that Eifler used in the jungles of Burma. A biography of Col. Eifler was written by Thomas Moon in 1975 titled "The Deadliest Colonel".
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| One of the first drones to be tested by the U.S. Army at Ft. Huachuca back in the 1950's. |
The Eye in the Sky
The aerostat balloon is one of many balloons located along the border of the U.S. and Mexico and were formerly operated by the U.S. Air Force as radar detection of low flying aircraft. The balloons were incorporated into Border Patrol surveillance and are now under the umbrella of Homeland Security. However, many people in nearby neighborhoods believe they are used also for local surveillance.
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| Frank McCarthy Artist of late 19th century western life. |
