Wandering Lizard
Arizona

Cochise County

Fort Bowie National Historic Site - The Wagon Massacre Site - Spring

The So-called "Bascom Affair" took place in Apache Pass in February 1861. Chiricahua Apache Indian Chief Cochise met with United States Army Second Lieutenant George Bascom to discuss the whereabouts of a kidnapped youngster. When Cochise denied any knowledge of the kidnapping Bascom attempted to capture him. Cochise escaped, but six of his party were held by the soldiers. Two days later a wagon train was ambushed on the Butterfield stage road by Apaches at this location. Eight teamsters were killed and three were taken prisoner. Cochise attempted to trade his prisoners for those held by Bascom but to no avail. Cochise killed his prisoners and Bascom hung his on a Cottonwood tree at the site of the wagon massacre. One of the six that Bascom hung is thought to have been a son of Cochise. Eleven years of brutal war followed.