An account of the Salt River Cave conflict from the diary of John Bourke, aide to General Crook:

"...The next morning we were at the summit. We now rested for nearly an hour every man closing up to his proper position in the ranks and then lying prone to the ground. Apache scouts were soon sent ahead, who soon returned with the information of fires being discovered in the canyon below."

"Our policy was obvious-- the incorrigible Apaches were now entrapped beyond possibility of escape. Orders were given to make no charge upon the works, to pick off every Indian showing his head, to spare every woman and child, but to kill every man. Twice the besieged were asked to surrender their families, promises being given that no harm should befall them but their only answers were yells of defiance. These shouts of scorn were soon changed into groans of despair as our shots began to fall with deadly accuracy about them, reckless attempts at escape being made but in each case resulting in the death of those who tried to run our gauntlet of fire."

"A charge was now ordered and the men rushed forward; upon entering the enclosure a horrible spectacle was disclosed to view-- in one corner eleven dead bodies were huddled, in another four and in different crevices they were piled to the extent of the little cave and to the total number of fifty-seven. Seventy-six altogether were killed in the fight and twenty women and children were taken prisoners."

"One of our Pima Indian allies was killed, but with this exception, no losses occurred."

Conquest of Apacheria, by Dan Thrapp, p.127-130