The Wrath of Cochise: The Bascom Affair and the Origins of the Apache Wars

In a powerful evocation of the drama of the American West, here is the harrowing story of the feud that ignited the Apache Wars.In February 1861, the twelve-year-old son of an Arizona rancher was kidnapped by Apaches; a band of Chiricahua Apaches led by the infamous warrior Cochise was blamed for the attack. Lt. George Bascom organized a patrol and met with the Apache leader, who, not suspecting anything was amiss, had brought along his wife, his brother, and two sons. Despite Cochise’s asser…