Omaha daily bee., 1883-05-28
CROOKS CAMPAIGN.
The Situation and Prospects Of
the Apache Hunter in Mexico
Thoroughly CanVaSSed.
General o. 0. Howard Inter.
viewed and y ielding Up En-.
pertaining Recollections.
No Authentic Nows from tho Scat
Of War in tho Sierras.
st, Paul Pioneer Press.

Gen. o. o. Howard, commandment
of the department. of the Platte, &C.
companied by Lieut.. Guy Howard,
his uon and sid-de.csmp, Is at the
Merchants on route to Omaha. The
general Is on his way home from Fort
Mckinney, whore he has been
looking up tho condition of
affairs In tho country tributary
TO that post. Two companies
of tho Ninth infantry have boon
transferred to Fort Russell, near
Cheyenne, to give place to two com
panies of the Fifth cavalry, az that
arm of the service is more effective 81
that point than infantry. There are
now three companies of cavalry and
one of infantry at Mckinney. The
general expressed himself as pleased
with the development Of the country
where he followed the Ne z Perces
on that long and wesrisome march
over rugged mountains, through for
bidding canyons and over trackleBs
plains. The great civilizer has opened
up the wild wastes to settlement and
cultivation.
ARIZONA MATTERS.
General matters having been talked
over for some time, the interviewer
asked Gen. Howard the following di.
rect question:
cit has been stated In the papera
that you went to Arizon ma and made
peace with the Chirleahua band OF
Apaches; and the allegation wns fur
ther made that Gen. Crook was Just
then prepared to conquer them"
The general hesi,ated somewhat, and
said he did not desire to enter into
eny controversy with a brother officer
nor to mako any reply to the state
ment that could be construed Into al
attempt at defense, when none wa
needed. Finally he requested tina
the question, as above given, be writ.
ten, and then dictated the following
answer:
SIN 1872 President Grant, atthe re-
quest of Mr.. Delano, secretary of TIT
interior, sent me to attempt to maxi
peace with these Indians, tho ONLY
tribe then at war with the UniteC
States. The president gave me letter.
to the division and department COM
manders, the latter being Gen Crook
and directed mo to report for speoi6,
instruction to the secretary of the In
terror. The letters and instruction
are matters of record. l succeeded II
carrying out the latter, but never OK.
ceeded them. Gen. Crook and my
self we're acting under orders theI
as now. He Is a judicious officer, ane
L wish him abundant success."
A~DANGERoUs TRIP.
The general gave a sketch of hi,
trip at the time of the treaty and said
with q halt smile:
II may have been too jealous Ii
obeying orders, but 1t certainly wa
not q pleasant commission. / never
went into battle with as many chsnceI
of death sgsint me as I took wher
with an aide, an interpreter, and two
scouts l went into the lair OF Cochise
the Chiricahua chief, In the heart O
the Dragon mountains. My SCOUT
|, found the trail and finally the hiding
place of the band, and / was told
could 60 In, but only with four or five
men with me. / rode the last IL!
miles through the most difficult
country, scarred with the deepest ant
most preclpitous oanons you ever saw
The entrance to Cochise's den ooulc
have been defended by ten mel
against an army. 1t was through
narrow canyon, with walls 200 or 30(
feet high, and of sheer rock on boil
sides. | spent the night In thu
camp, and next night 90
chise saw me. / made tn,
treaty with him on my second trip,
upon which 1 took back provisions
etc. Tho Indians went to the reser
walton provided for them at Gam
Apache ard were ffterward moved
why / know not, further north to Sal
Carlos, and oongregated with Indian
with whom they were not friendly
, Cochiac died and atterward his e!d3s
son died also. l guoas the Indian
kept faith sn long as we did; they ger
orally do, / take 1t. / simply did as
Q vas ordered. i was ordered TO max
. the treaty, If possible--as l Nigh
: have been to take a battery-snd l di
i II. The treaty was deemed then
very desirable thing-and II wa
Con. Crook and / were on the best
terms. He wrote me a beautiful let
: tor In acknowledgment Of what l sal
concerning him In my report of II
i whole thing, He Is an able, brave
iudicious and faithful officer, and l
n not wish any controversy betwee
q as"
THE PRESENT CAMPAIGN.
"Havs you any fears q to Gener
Crooks safety at PRESENT.
khInL ha uould thtu