Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-12
GENERAL CROOK
OfnCiaI Information as to His
Whereabouts.
His Perilous March Through an
Almost impossible Country.
The Successful Way in Which
He Surprised and Captured
an Apache Camp.

TUcsoN, A. T., June PA courier
arrived at Tombstone last night from
Crooks headquarters, at Silver Greek, Ari-
zona, bringingth first official information
OF Crooks expedition. 1t left American
soil on the Sd Of May, marching 200 miles
southeast from San Bernardino, on the
boundary line of chihuahua and Sonora.
following the trail of the hostiles. Crook
was guided by the Apache, Nadski, who
was captured near San Carlos Just previ-
ous to the expedition Leaving at a point
about 2OO miles south of the line the COM
mand crossed the Sierra Madras range and
advanced fifty miles over an indescribably
rough trail, eight mules being killed by
falling over the precipices, but pressed on
without delay. Rendered nearly bare
footed by the sharp rocks, after fourteen
days of hard marching night and day, the
Indian camps of Chat and Bonite were
discovered in the heart of the Sierra Mad
ras, in an almost impregnable position.
The Apaches did not dream ofan attack.
for the entrance to their stronghold was
next 10 impossible and the warriors were
principally out on a raid under Juh. only
thirty-seven bucks being in the camp with
the women and children. The San Carlos
scouts, under Captain Crawford and Lieu
tenants Atwood end Mackey, with AL
Sebree, Mcintosh and Mickey, free chiefs
Of the scouts, surrounded the camp before
the hostiles were aware of their proximi-
ty and advanced from different points AMI
were too near before they were discov-
cred. The scouts secreted themselves be-
hind rocks and commenced firing upon
the camp, creating a perfect panic. A
number succeeded in escaping, though
nearly all surrendered. Seven were found
dead in camp, and 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 camp was burned or carried
off by the scouts. Among property taken
were 100 ponies and mules, forty of them
being loaded with plunder, saddles, Cir
dies, clothes, gold and silver watches, and
several thousand dollars in gold, silver and
gTeenbacks, showing that they had been
very successful in their raids. After the
fight most of those who had escaped came
in. There were altogether 1888 prisoners
taken. The chiefs captured were Chato,
Bonito, Geromemo, Nache Laco and
Mana. The two latter were long reported
dead. The chiefs say an American boy
years old, captured Il month ago in New
Mexico, is with the squaws in the noun
tains. He is no doubt Charlie McComas.
Runners were sent out and he is
expected in hourly. After the fight
the command, with the prisoners, marched
leisurely back to American soil, and the
entire command, together with the pris.
oners, are now encamped on Silver creek,
| aboet sixty miles south Of TombsLGne.
Not one of Crooks command was lost
| during the campaign. The courier states
that the reason why Crook remains at
Silver Creek is that he is awaiting news
from the Secretary of War as to what
disposition to make Of the Indians, as
Wilcox, agent az san Carlos, refused to
receive them, and that he win go back to
Sierra Madras after the rest of the Rostiles
ifthey do not o1wo in. In q ponyeraation
with the courier be stated that the hosties
had plenty of money, One old sauaw,
who was the possesser of three five dollar
bills, made inquiry of some one at Col.
Biddle's as to the value of her possessions.
Upon being informed that the notes were
for five dollars each, she grunted and de-
cidQd TO negotiate, and pointed with her
skinny finger to the fought after tRa five
on the note. Quite number of the bucks
had silver stars and other ornaments
beaten out of Mexican dollars on their
headgear and several of them American
double eagles made into necklaces. A
rough estimate OF the amount of wealth
among them Is S5Q0, ana prQhably
more, The troops and packers of the
command state that the place where the
capture occurred is the prettest spot on
earth, and the road to it rougher than
mortal man ever trod A large number of
the hostiles seem pleased with the situa-
tien, eEldently eggectiHg IN iWmediate
return 10 the flesh pots at San Carlos.
The only complaints c6mes from some of
the squaws whose bucks are among those
who made their escape. The officers who
were with the expedition state that Crook
had surrounded the lndians Before they
khewof his presence and that if he had
not done so it would have taken six
months and al the men in Arizona to
have gottGn them, Al ILLUSTRATION of
Crooks mhdesty, and The total absence of
fuss and feathers in his make up.
1t may be stated that, although the
fight and capture occurred on the 18th of
last month, he leisurely retraced his steps
to CampSupply on Silver Creek, not even
sending . oogriar ahead to gignal his
moye9eHts Che hlst iltimatiop had of
Crooks return was the arrival 6f a
Lieutenant al Colonel Riddles head
quarters at 8 am. Sunday with dispatches
for Camp Bowie, the nearest army tele-
grapb STA ',6 ION Upon making inquiry
Concerning the General, who was sup
posed to be 100 miles distant in Sierra
Madras, imagine Che sprprisa of the camp
when he was informed that Crook was
only two hours behind with the captured
Apaches. About ten o'clock the General
rode into camp with an escort and greeted
Colonel Biddle with; "Nice morning,
Colonel and straightway struck out for
wash basin which he spied and was soon
engaged in performing his ablutions, after
which he threw himself into camp stool
and engaged in conversation abGpt his
campaign in an oll-hqnd way as if hunting
the most cruel and fiercest foe on the con-
tinent in the widest and most inaccessible
country to be fouRd, was an every
day occurrence A Lieutenant, name
unknown. was the only person wounded