 (sic)"" While Crook was recruiting natives to fight for him, he was also fighting against the Western Apaches and the closely associated Yavapai tribe in central Arizona Territory.During the Tonto Basin Campaign in 1872, Crook deployed his scouts at the Battle of Salt River Canyon on December 28.Over 100 Yavapai and Tonto men, women and children were held up inside a cave overlooking the Salt River.