George N. Bascom was born in
Owingsville in
Bath County, Kentucky. His ancestors were of French Huguenot and French Basque. 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 Territory and then in
New Mexico Territory 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 Fort Craig was closed in 1885, all the bodies were reburied at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Bascom's burial was unidentifiable and is believed to be one of the unknown markers. The actor
Dick Simmons portrayed Bascom in the 1966 episode, "The Hero of Apache Pass", on the
syndicated television anthology series,
Death Valley Days. ==See also==