JANUARY 27, 1861

COYOTERO APACHE RAID LEADS TO THE BASCOM AFFAIR AND THE APACHE WARS

On this date, Coyotero Apaches raided John Ward’s ranch taking his stepson Felix. Lt. George Nicholas, ordered to use any means to recover Felix and based on information from Ward, assumed that the raid was by the Chiricahua Apache. Bascom met with Cochise who claimed no knowledge of the raid. Skeptical, Bascom imprisoned Cochise & his family. Cochise escaped and requested his family’s release. When Bascom demanded the boy, Cochise’s band attacked a group of American & Mexican teamsters killing the Mexicans, but offering the Americans for his family. When Bascom again demanded Felix, Cochise attacked Bascom’s soldiers, fled to Mexico & killed the Americans. On February 19^th, the Army hanged Cochise’s brother & nephews. With this, Cochise claimed that the Chiricahua transferred their hatred of Mexicans to the Americans. The Bascom Affair is seen as a catalyst for the Apache Wars. Felix Ward remained with the Coyotero Apache and became a U.S. Army scout known as Mickey Free.

Source: “The Bascom Affair,” aaanativearts.com.  Retrieved 8/19/2022, The Bascom Affair (aaanativearts.com)

Photo: Mark A. Wilson, Department of Geology, The College of Wooster, 3/11/2009.  Site at Apache Pass where Lt. Bascom met with Cochise.  Public Domain.