Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona
The arid landscape of what is now Coconino County, Arizona, served as the backdrop for a significant clash in the late 19th century. On July 17, 1882, the Battle of Big Dry Wash unfolded, pitting a column of the 6th Cavalry, dispatched from Fort Whipple, against a band of White Mountain Apache warriors. This engagement, led by Captain Adna R. Chaffee on the U.S. Army side and the Apache leader Nantiatish, marked a pivotal moment in the Apache Wars, representing one of the last major confrontations between the U.S. military and the Apache people. The Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona, stands as a testament to the complex and often violent interactions that defined the American West during this era.
The roots of the conflict at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona, lay in a confluence of factors. The White Mountain Apache, already burdened by the constraints of reservation life, were further incensed by the death of their influential medicine man, Nakaidoklini, in the Battle of Cibecue Creek the previous year. This event, coupled with the ever-increasing encroachment of settlers and miners onto their ancestral lands, fueled a deep-seated resentment. Driven to action, a group of 54 warriors, under the leadership of Nantiatish, abandoned the confines of the White Mountain (Fort Apache) Reservation. Their departure was not a quiet retreat; they raided the San Carlos Agency, plundered settlements scattered throughout the Tonto Basin, and embarked on a campaign of evasion, skillfully avoiding the numerous cavalry troops dispatched from various Arizona forts to bring them to heel.
Captain Adna R. Chaffee, a career military man, played a crucial role in the events leading up to and during the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. His leadership and tactical acumen would be tested against the Apache warriors, renowned for their guerilla warfare tactics and intimate knowledge of the terrain. Tasked with tracking down and subduing the renegade Apache band, Chaffee led his column of the 6th Cavalry through the rugged terrain of central Arizona. His experience and the skills of his troops would prove essential in the ensuing engagement.
The stage for the battle was set when the Apache warriors, observing Chaffee’s approaching force from the vantage point of the Mogollon Rim, devised an ambush. Selecting a canyon approximately seven miles to the north, they planned to use the natural terrain to their advantage, hoping to ensnare the cavalry column in a deadly crossfire. However, Chaffee’s command benefited from the invaluable services of scouts, individuals familiar with the land and the ways of the Apache. These scouts forewarned Chaffee of the impending ambush, allowing him to adjust his strategy and turn the tables on his adversaries.
The Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona unfolded with a strategic maneuver by Captain Chaffee. Recognizing the danger of marching directly into the planned ambush, Chaffee ordered his men to dismount. He then formed a skirmish line along the brink of the canyon, effectively pinning down the Apache warriors positioned on the opposite rim. This initial action served to fix the enemy in place, preventing them from launching a coordinated attack.
With the Apache warriors engaged and contained, Chaffee executed the next phase of his plan. He deployed two flanking parties, sending them out to surprise the Apache on their flanks. This maneuver required careful coordination and precise timing, as the flanking parties had to navigate the challenging terrain undetected. The success of this tactic was crucial to the outcome of the battle.
The flanking maneuver proved decisive. The surprised Apache warriors, caught off guard by the unexpected assault on their flanks, found themselves in a desperate situation. The battle raged within the confines of the canyon, the sounds of gunfire echoing through the arid landscape. Despite their fierce resistance, the Apache warriors were ultimately outmaneuvered and outgunned by the U.S. cavalry.
The Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona holds a unique place in the history of the Apache Wars. It represents one of the few instances in which the U.S. Army successfully engaged and defeated the Apache in a conventional battle. The Apache, typically masters of guerilla warfare, rarely allowed themselves to be drawn into a direct confrontation. However, in this instance, the circumstances and Chaffee’s tactical decisions forced them into a more traditional engagement, resulting in a decisive victory for the U.S. Army.
Today, the site of the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona stands as a historical landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The trail road leading from the Mogollon Rim follows the same route taken by Chaffee’s troops, culminating at the canyon brink where the fighting commenced. A stone monument, erected at the southern edge of the canyon, commemorates the battle and lists the names of the soldiers who participated. The surrounding landscape, characterized by heavy pine forests and rugged canyons, remains largely unchanged since 1882, providing a tangible connection to the events that unfolded there.
For those wishing to visit the site, a marker describing the battle is located at General Springs. The battlefield itself is situated within the Coconino National Forest, accessible via a rough trail road approximately seven miles north of General Springs, which is located on Mogollon Rim Road. The journey to the battlefield offers a chance to experience the beauty and solitude of the Arizona wilderness, while also paying homage to the historical significance of the site.
The Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona, serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of the American West. It highlights the clash of cultures, the struggle for land and resources, and the human cost of conflict. By preserving and interpreting sites like Big Dry Wash, we can gain a deeper understanding of our past and learn valuable lessons for the future.