George Nicholas Bascom
Encyclopedia
George Nicholas Bascom U. S. Army officer, in Arizona
and in the American Civil War
.
George N. Bascom was born in Owingsville
in Bath County, Kentucky
. Bascom was appointed to the United States Military Academy
at West Point
, and graduated 26th in a class of
27 in 1858. Following his graduation he was first stationed at Camp Floyd
in Utah
and then in Arizona
at Fort Buchanan
as a 2nd Lieutenant of the U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment. In January 1861 he was involved in what became known as the Bascom Affair
at Apache Pass
, that is considered to be the key event in triggering the 1861-1872 Apache War
.
After the American Civil War
began, Bascom, was promoted to captain, of the U.S. 16th Infantry Regiment. However before he could return to join his new regiment, the three companies of the 7th Infantry that had moved to Fort Craig
were involved in the Battle of Val Verde in New Mexico Territory
. Bascom was killed in action by Confederate forces on February 21, 1862, during the battle. Subsequently Fort Bascom
, New Mexico
, was named in his honor.
Captain Bascom was originally buried at nearby Fort Craig
, in the post cemetery. When the Fort Craig was closed in 1885, all the bodies were reburied at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Bascom's burial was one of that was not indentifiable and is believed to be one of the unknown markers.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
George N. Bascom was born in Owingsville
Owingsville, Kentucky
Owingsville is a city in Bath County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,488 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bath County, and is roughly in the center of the county, at the junction of US 60 and Kentucky Route 36....
in Bath County, Kentucky
Bath County, Kentucky
Bath County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1811. As of 2010 the population is 11,591. Its county seat is Owingsville, Kentucky...
. Bascom was appointed to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
, and graduated 26th in a class of
27 in 1858. Following his graduation he was first stationed at Camp Floyd
Camp Floyd
Camp Floyd was a short-lived U.S. Army post near Fairfield, Utah, United States. The site is now a Utah state park known as Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum.-Camp Floyd:...
in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and then in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
at Fort Buchanan
Fort Buchanan
Fort Buchanan is the name of two United States Army forts:* Fort Buchanan, Arizona, is a former United States Army base in Arizona to control land purchased in the Gadsden Purchase* Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico is the only active U.S...
as a 2nd Lieutenant of the U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment. In January 1861 he was involved in what became known as the Bascom Affair
Bascom Affair
The Bascom Affair is considered to be the key event in triggering the 1860s Apache War. The Apache Wars were fought during the nineteenth century between the U.S. military and many tribes in what is now the southwestern United States...
at Apache Pass
Apache Pass
Apache Pass is a historic passage in the U.S. state of Arizona between the Dos Cabezas Mountains and Chiricahua Mountains, approximately 32 km E-SE of Willcox, Arizona.-Apache Spring:...
, that is considered to be the key event in triggering the 1861-1872 Apache War
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
.
After the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began, Bascom, was promoted to captain, of the U.S. 16th Infantry Regiment. However before he could return to join his new regiment, the three companies of the 7th Infantry that had moved to Fort Craig
Fort Craig
Fort Craig was a U.S. Army fort located along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, near Elephant Butte Lake State Park and the Rio Grande in Socorro County, New Mexico....
were involved in the Battle of Val Verde in New Mexico Territory
New Mexico Territory
thumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
. Bascom was killed in action by Confederate forces on February 21, 1862, during the battle. Subsequently Fort Bascom
Fort Bascom
Fort Bascom, established in 1863, is located in New Mexico on the Canadian River slightly west of the Texas border. The fort was named in honor of Captain George Nicholas Bascom who was killed during the American Civil War on February 21, 1862 while defending Fort Craig against Confederate forces...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, was named in his honor.
Captain Bascom was originally buried at nearby Fort Craig
Fort Craig
Fort Craig was a U.S. Army fort located along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, near Elephant Butte Lake State Park and the Rio Grande in Socorro County, New Mexico....
, in the post cemetery. When the Fort Craig was closed in 1885, all the bodies were reburied at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Bascom's burial was one of that was not indentifiable and is believed to be one of the unknown markers.
See also
- Apache Pass Station
- Butterfield Overland Mail in New Mexico TerritoryButterfield Overland Mail in New Mexico TerritoryThe Butterfield Overland Mail was a transport and mail delivery system that employed stagecoaches that traveled on a specific route between Saint Louis, Missouri and San Francisco, California and which passed through the New Mexico Territory. It was created by the United States Congress on March...