Battle of Salt River Canyon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Salt River Canyon
Part of the Yavapai War, Apache Wars
Salt River
Date December 28, 1872 Location Tonto Basin, Arizona Territory 33°34′57″N 111°21′57″W / 33.5826°N 111.3659°W / 33.5826; -111.3659 Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Yavapai
Commanders and leaders
George Crook	Nanni-chaddi   †
Strength
130 cavalry 30 native scouts	~110 men, women, and children
Casualties and losses
1 killed	76 killed 34 captured

The Battle of Salt River Canyon, also called the Battle of Skeleton Cave, was a major event in the 1872 Tonto Basin Campaign. This campaign was led by Lieutenant Colonel George Crook. It was part of the larger Yavapai War (1871-1875) against the Yavapai people. The Yavapai are a Native American tribe living in Arizona.

The Battle of Salt River Canyon

This battle took place on December 28, 1872. It was a key moment in the conflict between the United States Army and the Yavapai people.

What Happened at Skeleton Cave?

Lieutenant Colonel Crook's soldiers found a hidden Yavapai stronghold. This stronghold was a cave known as Skeleton Cave. It was located in the Salt River Canyon, northeast of where Phoenix, Arizona is today.

The Army's Plan

Crook's group included 130 soldiers from the 5th Cavalry Regiment. These soldiers were led by Captain William H. Brown. They also had thirty Apache scouts with them. These scouts helped the Army find the hidden cave. The stronghold was known only to the Yavapai and Tonto Apache people.

The Fight Begins

The Army surrounded the entrance of Skeleton Cave. They surprised a group of Yavapai who were gathered inside. The soldiers began to fire into the cave. Some soldiers shot towards the roof of the cave. Others, with Crook himself, pushed rocks and boulders down from the cliffs above. The Yavapai inside the cave did not surrender.

One warrior managed to escape the cave. He crawled out and then jumped onto a large rock. He shouted a war cry and fired at the soldiers. A soldier shot him from about 800 yards away, hitting him in the chest and killing him.

After the Battle

About 75 people were found dead inside the cave. This number included women and children. No warriors survived the fight inside the cave. The women and children who survived were captured. They were then taken to Camp Grant.

Among those who died in the cave was Chief Nanni-chaddi. He had believed that no soldier would ever find his hidden stronghold.

This battle was considered a victory by the United States government. Several weeks later, Crook led another successful attack at Turret Peak. After these events, many Apache groups made peace. This peace was agreed upon at Camp Verde in 1873. However, some smaller fights continued until 1875.