Near Bowie in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Bascom-Cochise Meeting Site
After the events on the afternoon of February 4th, Bascom ordered the command to move toward, and fortify, the stage station. According to Sergeant Daniel Robinson:
“Our wagons were placed end to end, forming a semicircle, covering one side of the station, and the corral, making a basis for outer breastworks. There was a deep ravine on this side, the head or nearest point of it about a hundred yards from the station. Empty grain sacks were filled with earth and placed on the inner side of the circle.”
On the morning of February 5th, “…the Apaches were assembling in force on a hill 800 yards off.” They soon dispersed leaving a white flag. Soon a warrior approached the stage station defended by Bascom and his force. The warrior stated that Cochise wished to have a “talk” with our chief. Sergeant Robinson continued:
“The ‘talk’ commenced by Cochise making a strong appeal for the release of the … captive Indians. He was told that they would not be released until the boy was given up or found … In this manner the talk continued for about an hour.
[Butterfield employee James] Wallace approached the ravine at a point above us apparently unnoticed by anyone … A dash was made by a few Indians from the ravine. They seized and dragged him into it out of sight. This broke up the talk in quick time.”
A firefight ensued between soldiers defending the stage station and Apaches firing from the surrounding hills and ravines.
Three days later, in a final attempt to gain the release of Apache captives, Cochise and his warriors attacked soldiers both at the stage station and Apache Spring. These attacks met without success, compelling Cochise and his followers to abandon Apache Pass and move into the Chiricahua Mountains.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is February 4, 1861.
Location. 32° 8.934′ N, 109° 26.984′ W. Marker is near Bowie, Arizona, in Cochise County. Marker can be reached from Fort Bowie Trail, 0.6 miles Apache Pass Road. Marker is located along the trail at the Fort Bowie National Historic Site. For most visitors access to the fort is via a 1.5 mile hiking trail of moderate difficulty. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowie AZ 85605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Stage Station Ruin (a few steps from this marker); The Butterfield Overland Mail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bascom Affair (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Parke Camp Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Post Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Chiricahua Apache Indian Agency (approx. ¼ mile away); The Battle of Apache Pass; July 15-16, 1862 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mining Cabin (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowie.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Bascom Affair. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 26, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 662 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 13, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.