Talk:Bernard J. D. Irwin

Bascom Affair
The blurb on the Bascom Affair differs substantially from other sources on the event, including Wikipedia's own page on the Bascom Affair. Thisdaytrivia (talk) 19:17, 19 March 2018 (UTC)

Irwin's role in committing a War Crime
Major Irwin was the senior officer present during the Bascom Affair; and would have either given or approved the order to execute the Apache prisoners that had walked into the Army camp voluntarily under an invitation to parlay. When Cochise denied involvement in the kidnapping of a white settler boy, and offered to help find the boy; he and his family were not believed and were instead arrested by Lt Bascom. Cochise escaped but his family remained in custody of the Army. Cochise later captured Soldiers trying to gather water for the camp and then attempted to use them as a prisoner exchange for his family. After the Army refused Cochise executed his prisoners (an Apache war crime). Then Irwin either approved or ordered the execution of the adult male Apaches from Cochise's family (an American war crime). This event triggered the Apache Wars which lasted several decades. Irwin should not have been honored for committing a crime and starting a war, but that was the political situation and the lack of consideration for the Native Americans during this period. As a foot note The white settler boy had been kidnapped by a Pima Apache group that was totally unrelated to Cochise. 73.43.57.97 (talk) 01:57, 7 March 2023 (UTC)