Editing Apache Wars (section)

===Battles near Fort Apache===
In August 1881, a force of soldiers from [[Fort Apache Indian Reservation]] was sent to investigate recent reports of Apache unrest and to detain the [[medicine man]] Nock-ay-det-klinne. The arrest of Nock-ay-det-klinne by three Native scouts was peaceful until they made their way back to camp. Upon arrival the camp on August 31, had already been surrounded by Nock-ay-det-klinne's followers. The [[Battle of Cibecue Creek]] began, and Nock-ay-det-klinne was killed. The following day, the Apache warriors [[Battle of Fort Apache|attacked Fort Apache]] in reprisal for the death of Nock-ay-det-klinne.

In the spring of 1882, the warrior Na-tio-tisha lead a party of about 60 White Mountain Apache warriors. In early July they ambushed and killed four [[San Carlos, Arizona|San Carlos]] policemen, including the police chief. After the ambush, Na-tio-tisha led his war-party northwest through the [[Tonto Basin]]. Local Arizona settlers were greatly alarmed and demanded protection from the U.S. Army. It sent out fourteen [[Company (military unit)|companies]] of [[United States Cavalry|U.S. Cavalry]] from forts across the region. In the middle of July, Na-tio-tisha led his war-party up Cherry Creek to the [[Mogollon Rim]], intending to reach General Springs, a well-known water hole on the Crook Trail. Noticing they were being trailed by a single troop of cavalry, the Apache lay an ambush seven miles north of General Springs, where a fork of East Clear Creek cuts a gorge into the Mogollon Rim. The Apaches hid on the far side and waited. The cavalry company was led by Captain [[Adna Chaffee]]. The chief scout, [[Al Sieber]], discovered the Apache trap and warned the troops. During the night, Chaffee's lone company was reinforced by four more from Fort Apache under the command of Major A.W. Evans. Then they were ready to begin the [[Battle of Big Dry Wash]].