Pionsenay
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Pionsenay | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1830 |
| Died | c. January 1878[1] near Janos, Chihuahua[1] |
| Other names | Peñon |
| Occupation | military leader |
| Years active | 1870s |
Pionsenay (c. 1830–c. 1878) was a Chiricahua Apache war chief from Arizona. He was a fierce raider who advocated for war against the Americans, in opposition to the sons of Cochise who advocated for peace. Pionsenay killed several white men including U.S. Army Sergeant Orizoba Spence. His actions sparked the Americans' forced relocation of the Chiricahua to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
Pionsenay was the brother of Skinya, also a leader in the Chiricahua band of Apache.[2] In 1872, he had acted as a peace envoy of Cochise at the town of Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico.[3] After the death of Cochise, Pionsenay remained loyal to his brother during the schism between Skinya and Tahzay in 1875. The brothers and their allies relocated to the Dragoon Mountains in southeastern Arizona.[4]
Sulphur Springs raid
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In 1876, the Sulphur Springs overland mail station in the Arizona Territory was raided by a band of Apaches led by Pionsenay. The attack was instigated after an argument over whiskey sales. After Pionsenay brought his whiskey back to camp, he quarreled with Skinya, and killed his two sisters when they tried to intervene.[5] On April 7, Pionsenay returned to the station and shot and killed Orizoba Spence, the cook, and Nicholas Rogers, the station operator.[6] The two were initially buried at the station, however, the bodies were later exhumed for interment at Fort Bowie.[7] Pionsenay raided further down the San Pedro River, killed two more men, and stole several horses.[5] He was unsuccessfully pursued by soldiers from Fort Bowie. The governor of the Arizona Territory subsequently demanded the removal of the Chiricahua.[8]