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The Battle of Salt River Canyon, the Battle of Skeleton Cave, or the Skeleton Cave Massacre, is the first principal engagement during the 1872 Tonto Basin Campaign.

Crook's men encounter the Yavapai stronghold at Skeleton Cave located in Salt River Canyon on December 28, 1872.

His force, composed of one hundred and thirty troopers from the 5th Cavalry Regiment led by Captain William H. Brown and another thirty Apache Scouts, takes up a position around the mouth of Skeleton Cave and surprises the natives when they try to leave.

Surrounded, the warriors refuse to surrender and the soldiers open fire.

Some of Brown's men aim for the roof of the cave, causing the deaths of women and children within the cave.

Others, who are personally accompanied by Crook, roll rocks and boulders down from the cliffs above.

Seventy-six dead are found in the cave afterward.

A few who are captured are taken to Camp Grant.

Among the dead within the cave is Chief Nanni-chaddi, who had claimed that no soldier would ever find his stronghold here.

In 1872, Crook is appointed brigadier general in the regular army, a promotion that passes over and angers several full colonels next in line.

Brigadier General George Crook follows up his victory at Salt River Canyon with another at Turret Peak several weeks later, in which twenty-three Yavapai are killed and ten captured.