The Bascom Affair was a conflict that occurred in 1861 between the United States Army and the Apache tribe in Arizona. It began when a group of Apaches, led by Cochise, was accused of stealing cattle from local settlers. In response, the Army sent a detachment under Lieutenant George Bascom to negotiate and retrieve the stolen cattle. During the negotiations, tensions escalated, leading to a violent confrontation. The situation worsened when Bascom's troops captured several Apache individuals, including a relative of Cochise. This incident marked the beginning of a prolonged conflict between the U.S. government and the Apache tribes, contributing to the larger Apache Wars.