Near Bowie in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Bascom Affair
Photographed By James Nuti, March 14, 2011
1. Bascom Affair Site
Photo displayed on the marker is of Lt. George M. Bascom. In the area reserved for a photo of Cochise it is written:
No known photograph or painting of Cochise exists.
"Cochise was as fine a looking Indian as one ever saw. He was about six feet tall and straight as an arrow, built from the ground up. Perfect as any man could be."
James Travis, Apache Pass stage station keeper.
"Cochise was as fine a looking Indian as one ever saw. He was about six feet tall and straight as an arrow, built from the ground up. Perfect as any man could be."
James Travis, Apache Pass stage station keeper.
On February 4, 1861, 2nd Lt. George Bascom, and his detachment of 54 men encamped two hundred yards east of here. Bascom’s mission was to find Cochise, recover a kidnapped boy and return livestock assumed taken by the Chiricahua Apaches.
During the meeting with Cochise and members of his band, Bascom ordered Cochise held hostage until the boy and his livestock were returned. Knowing neither he, nor his people had committed the acts, the Apache chief was insulted and bolted from the tent.
In the ensuing confusion, the remaining Apaches were captured.
For sixteen days the mayhem of warfare bloodied the Apache Pass. Both Indians and soldiers captured hostages and executed them out of vengeance, creating bitterness and hatred that lasted eleven years. Terror reigned until 1872, when President U.S. Grant sent an emissary, General Oliver O. Howard, to join army scout Thomas Jeffords and Cochise in making peace.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1843.
Location. 32° 8.993′ N, 109° 26.982′ W. Marker is near Bowie, Arizona, in Cochise County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bascom-Cochise Meeting Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Stage Station Ruin (about 400 feet away); Parke Camp Site (about 400 feet away); The Butterfield Overland Mail (about 600 feet away); Post Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); The Chiricahua Apache Indian Agency (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Apache Pass; July 15-16, 1862 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mining Cabin (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowie.
Also see . . . Bascom Affair. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 8, 2017
2. The Bascom Affair Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 8, 2017
3. The Bascom Affair Marker
circa 1861
4. Photo displayed on marker.
Lt. George M. Bascom
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2011, by James Nuti of Bisbee, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,155 times since then and 102 times this year. Last updated on April 26, 2011, by James Nuti of Bisbee, Arizona. Photos: 1. submitted on April 25, 2011, by James Nuti of Bisbee, Arizona. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 13, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
