Today in Manhunting History -- August 7, 1885: "Geronimo!!!"

On August 7, Major Wirt Davis’ 4th U.S. Cavalry Apache scouts attacked Geronimo’s camp west of Casas Grandes, Chihuahua. The renegades were caught by surprise, and the warriors were forced to jump over a steep bluff in order to avoid capture. Although Geronimo personally escaped, he lost 13 horses and mules – along with saddles, blankets, and dried meat – in the attack. More devastatingly for the old warrior, two of his wives and five children from his family were among the Chiricahuas captured.

This small tactical success had little strategic impact on the Geronimo Campaign, but is possibly the origin of U.S. World War II paratroopers screaming “Geronimo!” as they leaped from airplanes.