Indian Scouts

The United States Army recruited Indian allies or scouts after the Civil War. The recruitment of Indian scouts was first authorized by the Congress in 1866. The scouts were very valuable assets to the Americans because they were fast-moving, aggressive, and knowledgeable. They knew how to follow trails and to observe the enemy without being seen. This allowed the U.S. Army to locate and attack the enemy more efficiently. Some scouts were praised by commanders, and some were even awarded the medal of honor. Still, there was doubt about whether the Indians would stay loyal. The Cubicue Apaches were one of the first group to be recruited as scouts and also the only group that turned against the U.S army. They were asked to attack their relatives which resulted in a mutiny against the army.