Davis penned numerous journals about his service and the Apache language; toward the end of his life, he wrote a biography of Geronimo.

[2] In the spring of 1882, Davis received orders to the Arizona Territory to take command of companies B and E of the Apache Scouts.

[3] On May 15, 1885, a group of well-armed Chiricahuas, including Nana and Geronimo, confronted Davis outside his tent and confessed to an all night tiswin drinking session and demanded to know what the army intended to do about it.

Geronimo, fearing an arrest, fled from San Carlos accompanied by Chihuahua, Naiche, Mangus, Nana, Ulzana and their bands .

The Apaches made way to Mexico and were in turn pursued by Davis and Lieutenant Marion Perry Maus.