The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-13
Nine Indians Killed and Nearly Four
Hundred Prisoners Taken.
Crook AccOmplishes His Purpose without
Losing Mana Sketch of General
Gallardo's Campaign.
CROOKS RETURN.
An Account of the Capture of the Indian
Stronghold with PInnder.


Stronghold with Plunder.
Tucson, A. T., June ia courier arrived
at Tombstone last night from Crooks head
quarters at Silver Creek, Arizona, bringing
the first official information of Crooks ex-
pedition. 1t left American soil on the Sd of
May, marching 200 miles southeast from San
Bernardino on the boundary line of Chihua-
hua and Sonora, following the trail of the
hostiles. Crook was guided by the Apache,
Nadakis, who was captured near San Carlos,
just previous to the expedition leaving At
a point about 200 miles south of the line the
command crossed the Sierra Madres range,
and advanced fifty miles over an indescriba-
bly, rough tract, eight mules being killed by
falling over precipices and pressed on
without delay. The men were rendered
nearly barefooted by the sharp rocks. After
fourteen days hard marching, night and
day, the Indian camps at Chato and Bonito
we're discovered in the heart of the Sierra
Madres in an almost impregnable position.
The Apaches did not dream of an attack,
for the entrance to the stronghold was next
to impossible and the warriors were princi-
pally out on a raid under Juh only thirty
seven bucks being in the camp with women
and children. The San Carlos scouts under
Captain Crawford and Lieutenants Atv bod
and Mackey, with AL Sebree, Mcintosh and
Mickey Free, chiefs of the scouts, surround
ed the camp before the hostiles were aware
of their proximity, and advanced from differ
ent points and were near enough before they
were discovered. The scouts secreted them
selves behind rocks and commenced firing
upon the camp, creating perfect panic. A
number succeeded in escaping, though nearly
ali surrendered. Nine were found dead in
the camp; five Mexican women and a 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 carried off by
scouts. Among the property captured were
100 ponies and mules, forty being loaded
with plunder-saddles, girdles, clothes gold
and silver watches, and several thousand dol
lars in gold, silver and misunderstanding
that they had been very successful in their
raids.
came in. Altogether 1888 prisoners were
taken. The chiefs captured were Chato,
Bonito, Geronimo, Nachez, Loco and Mama.
The two latter were long reported dead The
chiefs say an American boy. six years old,
captured month ago in New Mexico, is
with the squaws in the mountains. He is,
no doubt, Charley McComas Runners were
sent out and he is expected in hourly.
After the tight the command, with the
prisoners, marched leisurey back TO the
American side, and the entire command,
with the prisoners, is now encamped on
Silver creek, about sixty miles south of
Tombstone. Not one of Crooks command
was lost during the campaign. The courier
states that the reason Crook remains at
Silver Creek is that he is awaiting news from
the Secretary of War as to what disposition
is to be made of the Indians, as Wilcox
agent at San Carlos, refused to receive them,
and that he will so back to the Sierra Madres
after the rest of the hostiles if they do not
come in.
In conversation with the courier, he stated
that the hosties had plenty of money. One
old squaw who was the possessor of three $5
bills, made inquiry of some one at Colonel
Biddes as to the value of her possessions.
Upon being informed that the notes were for
S. each, she grunted, and decided to nego-
tiate, and pointed with her skinny finger to
the naught after the "5n on each note
Quite a number of bucks had silver stars
and other ornaments beaten out of Mexican
dollars on their head gear, and several
of them American double eagles made into
necklaces A rough estimate of the amount
of wealth among them is fully So, 600 and
probably more. 4-.
SCENE OF THE CAPTURE
The troops and packers of the command
state that the place where the capture oc-
Cured is the prettiest spot on earth, and the
road to it rougher than mortal man ever
trod Large numbers of hostles seem pleased
with the situation, evidently expecting an
immediate return to the heshpots OF San Car
The OnlV Cf
the squaws, whose bucks are among those
who made their escape, The officers who
were with the expedition state that Crook
had surrounded the Indians before they
knew of his presence; that If he had not
done SO it would have taken six months and
all the men in Arizona TO have gotten them.
AS an illustra lion of Crooks modesty and
total absence of fuss and feathers in his
makeup, it may be stated that although
the fight and capture occurred on the
18th of last month, he leisurely re-
traced his steps to the camp of sup
ply at Silver Greek, not sending courier
ahead to signal his movements The first
intimation had of Crooks return was the
arrival of lieutenant at Colonel Biddle's
headquarters at o'clock on Sunday fore
noon, with dispatches for Camp Bowie, the
nearest army telegraph station. Upon max
ing inquiry concerning the General, who
was supposed to be 100 miles distant in the
Sierra Madres, imagine the surprise that
awaited the camp when informed that Crook
was only two hours behind, with the cap
tured Apaches. At about 10 o'clock the
General rode into camp with his escort and
greeted Colonel Biddle with, Mice morning.
Coonelm and straightway struck out for
the wash-basin, which he had spied, and was
soon engaged in performing his ablutions,
after which he threw himself into a camp
stool and engaged in conversation about his
campaign in an off,handed way, rs if hunting