The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-06-13
CROOKS CAMPAIGN:
Omcial Account of the Chase after
the Apaches.
A Gallant and Successful Expedition.

Tucson, Arizona, July ia courier ar
rived at Tombstone last night from Gen,
Crooks headquarters at Silver Creek, bringing
the first official information of Crooks expedi-
tion. 1t left American soil May Sd, marching
200 miles southeast from San Benardino on the
boundary line of Chihuahua aud Sonora, fol-
lowing the trail of the Indians. Crook was
guided by an Apache named Nadaski, who was
captured near San Carlos just previous to the
departure of the expedition Leaving IL at a
point about 200 miles south of the line the
command crossed the Sierra Madres range and
advanced fifty miles over an indescribably
rough trail, eight mules being killed by falling
over precipices. They passed on without do.
lay, rendered nearly barefoot by the hard
rocks.
After fourteen days hard marching, night
and day, the Indian camps of Chato and Boni-
to were discovered in the heart of the Sierra
Madres in an almost impregnable position.
The ApacheS did not dream of an attack, for
the entrance OF their stronghold was next TO
impossible, and the warriors were principally
out on raid under Ju, only thirty-seven bucks
being in camp with the women and children.
The San Carlos scouts. under Capt. Crawford
and Lieut.. Atwood and Mickey Free, the chief
of the scouts, surrounded the camp before the
Indians were aware of their proximity, ad-
vancing from fifteen different points, and were
near them before they were discovered. The
scouts secreted themselves behind rocks and
commenced firing upon the camp, creating
perfect panic. A number succeeded in escap-
ing, though nearly all surrendered Seven
were found dead in the camp. Five Mexican
women and little girl were recaptured. They
were taken from Carmen and chihuahua and
are now with Crook in good health
Everything in the camp was burned or car
ried of by the scouts Among the property
captured we're 100 ponies and mules, forty be-
ing loaded with plunder, saddles, Clothes gold
and silver and greenbaoks, showing that they
have been very successful in their raid. After
the fioht NJ thOea xyh acoapa1 In
Altogether SS3 prisoners were taken. The
chiefs captured were Chato, Bonito, Geronimo,
Nachez, Loco and Mana. The latter two were
long reported dead. The chiefs say that an
American boy six years old, captured a month
ago in New Mexico, is with squaws in the
mountains. He it no doubt Charley McComas.
Runners were sent out and be is expected in
hourly.
After the fight the command with the pris-
oners marched leisurely back to American soil
and the entire command with prisoners is now
encamped on Silver Greek about 60 miles south
OF Tombstone. Not one OF Crooks command
was lost during the campaign.
The courier states that the reason that Crook
remains at Silver Creek is that he is awaiting
news from the Secretary OF War as to what dis
position he shall make of the Indians, as Mr..
Wilcox, the agent at San Carlos, has refused
to receive them and he tCrook) will so back to
the Sierra Madres after the rest OF the Indians
II they do not come in. In conversation with
the courier he stated that they had plenty of
money. Quite number OF the bucks had sill
yer stars and other ornaments beaten out OF
Mexican dollars on their headgear, while sew
ersi had American double eagles made into
necklaces A rough estimate of the wealth
among them is fully 5000 and probably more.
The troops say the place where the capture oc-
Cured is the prettiest spot on earth, and the
road leading to it rougher than mortal man
ever trod. A large number of the captiyes
seemed pleased with the situation, evidently
expecting an immediate return to San Carlos
reservation. The only complaint was from
some Equaws whose husbands we're among
those who made their escape. The officers Of
the expedition state that General Crook had
OF his presence and that If he had not done SO
it would have taken six months and all the
men in Arizona TO have captured them.
As an illustration of Gen. Crooks modesty
and the total absence of fuss and feathers in
his makeup, it may be stated that although
the tight and capture occurred on the 17th OF
last mouth, he lesurely retraeed his steps to
Camp Supply at Silver Creek, not sending
courier ahead to signal his movement. The
first intimation had Of Crooks return was the
arrival of lieutenant at Col. Biddles head
quarters at q. m. Sunday with .despatches
from Camp Bowie, the nearest army telegraph
station. Upon making inquiry concerning the
General, who was supposed to be 100 miles dis
tant in the Sierra Madres, imagine the sur
prise that awaited the camp when informed
that Gen. Crook was only two hours behind
with the captured Apaches. About 10 o'clock
the General rode into camp with an escort and
greeted Col. Biddle with "Nice morning, Col
onel," and straightway struck out for wash
basin, which he had spied, and was soon en-
gagged Ia performing his ablutions after which
he threw himself onto camp stool and en-
gagged in conversation about his campaign in
an of-hand way as If hunting tho f1eetest and
most cruel foe on the continent, in the widest
and most inaccessible country to be found was
matter of every day occurrence.