, 1876-09-02
IWRrrrES FOR THE STITENAS.l
Sketch Of Gen. George CrOOk.


wss assigned to duty with the 4th infantry
as breYet second lieutenant, President Grant
being at the time an officer in the same regi-
ment; be received his promotion to ID lieut.
in July, 1858; 1ss lieut., March, 1856, and
captain in May, 1861. Having declined
captaincy in the 14th infantry of the same
date, be was promoted major of the 81 in
fantry, July, 1866, and lieut.. colonel Of the
93d infantry also in July, 1866, on the reor-
ganization of the regular army He receiv-
ed his commission as brigadier general in the
regular army, October, 1873, while in COM
mand Of the department of Arizona, as a rec
oguition Of his services in subduing the hos
tile Indian tribes scattered through Oregon,
Idaho and Arizona.
In 1861. while captain in the 4th infantry,
he was appointed colonel of the 36;h Ohio
volunteers, his native State became a briga-
der general of volunteers in October, 1862,
and major general in October, 1864; he is
also major general by brevet in the regular
army for distinguished services during the
war His early life in California as a lieu
tenant WAS chiefly occupied in active ope-
rstiuns against the many hostile tribes of
Indians then infesting Northern California
and Southern Oregon. On one occasion, IL
1865, he almost annihilated q large band of
Pitt River Indians with 2 small company of
infantry, armed with the OLD "yager +" rife,
an incident some of them well membered
when be overbauled one of their marauding
bands in August, 1868.
Being strictly temperate, keen observer
of human nature, quick and piercing eye,
and particularly active, he found constant
employment, either IL reading and study, or
in the field. Associating, as be did, with
men of education and culture, among our
from; iersrnen, he ever maintained the char
acteriIics of gentleman, and gained vast
amount of information in woodcraft and
other qualifications SO essential to a success
full campaign against the crafty Indians, be-
sides becoming thoroughly cOnVersant with
Indian character, habits and customs, which
to-day places him 50 conspicuously before the
people as the most successful Indian fighter
in the country. This assertion may, TO some,
appear iuvidious, but actions speak louder
than words, and let General Crook 5 actions
speak for themselves. Quiet and unassum-
ing, and particularly reticent in official mat
tiers, he Is very amusing and entertaining
around the campfire, cracking jokes and mar
rating anecdotes with zest that never fail
TO give pleasure, and adds much toward soft
ening the hardships of winter campaign in
the cold northern climate.
When General Crook arrived on this coast
after the war, in 1866, be at once organized
an active campaign against the Snake and
Piute Indians, then injecting Eastern Ore
gon and Idaho, and in 1868 thoroughly and
etfectually subiued them, and to-day the
new settlements throughout that section If
vices rendered by him and the hardy troops
under his command. The record Of hard
Il shts during that brief period attest tie te-
nacIty with which the Indians were followed
up-both winter and summer-regardless of
climate or season, following them into their
mountain tastness through SNOW or frost,
striking them IN their houses where security
seemed 10 them II certainty. little thinking
that deep snow-coyered mountains, or ruarirg
torrents would be no inpediment 10 the in
domitable courage and perseverance Of Crock
and his cavalry. The engagements on the
Owyhee river, D=cember 70, 1866; Stems
Mountain, Oregon, JANUARY %, 1867, and
March, 1868; Silver Lake, Oregon, Septem-
TENDER 8, 1867; the Internal Caverns, Sept.
S6, y aud Is, 1867; Slaughter Mountain,
March, lS6S, besides many other minor en-
gagements and skirmishes, can be well re-
membered by many of our citizens who ac-
compauIcd the troops on those occasions
Soon after settling 80 successfully the In
dian question i'll Oregon, California aud Ida
no, iand that too without the interference of
any Indian ring commissioners), he was
again called into active employment in Ari-
%4Jua, HhCiC tHC ~ i4CuC IuuIdus UeCdIne o.
jec.s of interest 10 HIM. An effort was made
IN Arizona TO subdue the Apaches through
peace commlSsivnerS an effort that General
Crook chesriully anu energerically sustained
TO the utmost Of his ability, but all efforts
proved only too clearly that nothing but Sc
we're chastisement at the hands of the troops
could ever bring them into subsection, aud
that done, there Is 10 man more humane, OF
will do more to amclIorate the suffering of
the Indians and improve their condition than
General Crook. His successes in Arizuna
were equally as brilliant as those in the North
Pacific, and when he left that country the
demonstrations by the people showed that
they appreciated his efforts IN their behalf,
and that they began to realize 4 security TO
life and property that hitherto they had been
strangers TO.
4 campaign in the winter season he con-
considers much more fruitful in results, al
though eutuiling more hardship to the troops
engaged in it. The Indians then cougregate
i'll large bodies III their mountain homes,
where their winter supply of provisions is
stored, being unable to scatter into small
parties, one or two severe blows struck at
such time Is certain TO conquer lasting
peace, for through fear alone can hostile Ia
dia:ls De brought TO peaceabie terms
Ii fhe clanors of the Indian ring, and
peace policy maniacs will be ignored by our
government, and let Generals Crook and
Terry follow up their plans, the death of the
brave Custer aud his followers will be fully
avenged, tAe Sioux will crave for peace, aud
gladly and eagerly accept any terms that
may be offered to save themselves from absO-
lutte aunIhilation. WAR WHOoP.
SCANDAIoUS LETTERS.-A year or two
since Washington society was thrown into a
spasm Of Indignation over a series of anony-
nous letters that were addressed to Mrs