Elsatsoosu // Elsatsoosh, Corporal

Elsatsoosu, also called Elsatsoosh, was a Apache Indian scout in the U.S. Army who served under Lieutenant Colonel George Crook during the Apache Wars. He guided cavalry troopers against renegade Apaches in the Arizona Territory during Crook's winter campaign of 1872-73 and was one of ten scouts later received the Medal of Honor for gallantry.

Biography

Born in the Arizona Territory, Elsatsoosu (or Elsatsoosh) was one of ten Apaches hired by the U.S. Army as an Indian scout for Lieutenant Colonel George Crook's campaign against the renegades still active following the surrender of Cochise in late-1872. He specifically guided cavalry troopers in the Tonto Basin, where the Western Apache and Yavapais had been successfully conducting raids and eluding troops for several years, battling the Apache in the mountains during Crook's winter campaign of 1872-73. A total of 23 men were received the Medal of Honor. Of these, all 10 Indian scouts, including Elsatsoosu, received the award on April 12, 1875 for "gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches".[The other scouts were William Alchesay, Blanquet, Chiquito, Jim, Kelsay, Kosoha, Machol, Nannasaddie and Nantaje

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, Indian Scouts. Place and date: Winter of 1872-73. Entered service at:------. Birth: Arizona. Date of issue: 12 April 1875.

Citation:

Gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches