William Alchesay

Alchesay, also known as William Alchesay, Alchisay and Alchise (,, ; May 17, 1853 – August 6, 1928), was a chief of the White Mountain Apache tribe and an Indian Scout. He received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Indian Wars.

He tried to convince Geronimo to surrender peacefully on behalf of the United States government and remained friends with Geronimo until his death. After the wars were over he returned home to his wives and became a rancher and was active in Indian affairs.

Biography He was born May 17, 1853, in a part of the Arizona Territory known as Limestone Canyon. He joined the Indian Scouts at Camp Verde December 2, 1872 and served under General George Crook in actions against an uprising of the Chiricahua Apache in the winter of 1872–1873, holding the rank of sergeant. He was cited for gallantry, and acted as an envoy from Crook to Geronimo, trying to convince him to surrender peacefully.

Crook's aide (and fellow Medal of Honor recipient) John G. Bourke described Alchesay as "a perfect Adonis in figure, a mass of muscle and sinew of wonderful courage, great sagacity, and as faithful as an Irish hound." He was an adviser to Indian agents and to President Grover Cleveland. He fought again under Crook in the campaign against the Chiricahua Apache in the Sierra Madre of Mexico in 1883 and his last military duty was as an advisor during the pursuit of Geronimo in Mexico in 1885.

Other honors

Alchesay Canyon in Maricopa County, Arizona, near Roosevelt Dam, is named for William Alchesay. Alchesay High School in Whiteriver is named in his honor as are Alchesay Barracks at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and the Alchesay National Fish Hatchery in Navajo County, Arizona.