the fictional date

The beginning and ending dates of War Drums (1957) aren't stated. Part way through the movie, Apache chief Mangas Coloradas goes on the warpath. Later local newspapers report his raids. The first has a date in 1860, the second has a date in 1861, and also reports that some of the soldiers are being sent east to fight in the Civil War - specifically to Fort Sumter, which would not make any sense in real life since there wasn't enough time to get there from Arizona.

Sometime after the second newspaper, Mangas Coloradas is wounded during a random skirmish with a small group of of soldiers. In real history he was wounded in a skirmish with army couriers during the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862 but the creators of War Drums didn't show that large battle or even mention it. Despite saying there were 2,000 soldiers and 5,000 Apache warriors in the region at the beginning, the fights in War Drums are small scale.

In War Drums Mangas's followers take him to an American town for treatment of his wound, telling the doctor they won't massacre every man, woman, and child in the town - if Mangus survives. In real history Mangus's followers took him to Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico, if I remember correctly, and made the same promise to the doctor there. Mangus survived, but was murdered in 1863 during a peace meeting with General Joseph West.

In War Drums cavalry pursuing Mangus arrive at the American town. the commander arranges for a truce, giving Mangus and his people a head start before resuming the chase. During the conference Mangus asks if the commander will be going east to fight and he says no, not yet. So the final scenes in War Drums should happen sometime in 1861 to 1865.

Thus the first scenes in War Drums (1957) could happen as early as the 1850s, some scenes happen in 1860 and in 1861, and the final scenes in War Drums should happen sometime in 1861 to 1865.

Thus it is sort of amusing to know that Mangas Coloradas is believed to have been born about 1793 and thus was in his sixties during the period of War drums (1957)