Yavapai and Tonto Apache removal to San Carlos Reservation
- When
- 1875–1900
- Where
- Camp Verde Reservation; Verde Valley
- Episodes
- 2
In March 1875, the U.S. government closed the Camp Verde Reservation and forcibly marched Yavapai and Tonto Apache residents 180 miles to the San Carlos Reservation. This event, known as the March of Tears, resulted in significant mortality. Most Yavapai were not permitted to return to the Verde Valley until 1900.
Episodes
- March of Tears
In March 1875, Yavapai and Tonto Apache residents were forcibly marched 180 miles from Camp Verde to San Carlos, with 375 Yavapai deaths recorded out of 1,400 deported.
- Return to Verde Valley
By 1900, most Yavapai left the San Carlos Reservation to return to the Verde Valley.
Background and detail
Background. The San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation was established in 1872 in southeastern Arizona. General George Crook devised a strategy to set various Apache tribes against one another, leading to the removal of Yavapai and Apache bands from their original homelands. The reservation was initially managed by the Dutch Reformed Church, with John Clum serving as Indian Agent.
Forced Removal. In March 1875, the government closed the Yavapai–Apache Camp Verde Reservation and marched the residents 180 miles to the San Carlos Reservation. This forced relocation, known as the March of Tears, resulted in the death of 375 Yavapai out of the 1,400 deported. The 8th Cavalry had been stationed in Arizona until 1875, when the 9th Cavalry replaced them.
Return to Verde Valley. By the early 1900s, Yavapais were drifting away from the San Carlos Reservation and requesting permission to live at the original Camp Verde Reservation. By 1900, most Yavapai left the San Carlos Reservation to return to the Verde Valley and neighboring homelands.
People involved
- George Crook · General who devised strategy for Apache removal
- John Clum · Indian Agent for San Carlos Reservation
Sources
- Yavapai Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-05
- San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
- George Crook Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-06
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.