 The ridge where the posse was positioned | |
| Date | October 8, 1901 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Apache Indian Reservation, Arizona Territory, United States |
| Also known as | Battleground Shootout |
| Participants | Bill Smith |
| Outcome | Outlaws escape |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2 |
The Battleground Gunfight,[1] also known as the Battleground Shootout,[2] was a gunfight between a posse of American lawmen and the Smith Gang. It was fought on October 8, 1901, within Arizona Territory's Fort Apache Indian Reservation, at a clearing in the forest known today as the "Battleground". Nine Arizona Rangers and deputies caught up with the cattle rustler Bill Smith and his gang. During a long exchange of gunfire that followed, Ranger Carlos Tafolla[3] and Deputy Bill Maxwell[4] were killed and one or two of the outlaws may have been wounded. In the end, the Smith Gang escaped the posse and fled into Mexico.[2]
- ^ Hunsaker, Gordon A. (2010). Gunfights and Gunfighters: Reflections from a Phoenix Police Officer. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1450207201.
- ^ a b McKnight, Ray A. "The Battleground Shootout—Arizona Rangers Fight Smith Gang" (PDF). asoac.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-20. Retrieved January 8, 2022. Carlos Tafolla's surname is spelled "Tafoya" in this article.
- ^ "Ranger Carlos Tafolla, Arizona Rangers, Arizona". The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Deputy Sheriff William Thomas Maxwell, Apache County Sheriff's Office, Arizona". The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Retrieved 8 January 2022.