Wilcox, AZ: Geronimo, Apache commander, had led the U.S. Cavalry on a chase lasting most of thirty years. ,p> The Mexican Army had ‘started the fight’ when they massacred Geronimo’s family back in 1851. Geronimo then waged war against both the Mexican and against the American expansionists into Apache territory. Americans at the time regarded him as a villain. History does not.