The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-01
Statement of the Agreement Between
Mexico and the United States, and
Crooks Forces.
Il. G. Rathbone Promoted to CHIEF OF
the Special Pension Service.
The Hill Investigation Begun-Mrs Merrick
Charges John Dorsey with Perjury
Notes and Personals.
CROOKS CAMPAIGN.
why the General Did Not Take a Larger
Force with HIM.


Force with Him.
WASHINGTON, May 3L-Lieutenant VIM.
Baird. of the Sixth cavalry Who has just re-
turned from the Mexican ftontier, said to
Star porter to-day. that be did NOT think
the reports of General Cooks engagement
with the hostiles were trustworthy. Very
likely. he said, there hasbeen fighting; but l
do not think any decisive action has taken
place. General Crookdid not intend to send
back word until he BID accomplished some
thing or entirely faihd In reply to ques-
ton WHY General irook did not take with
him into Mexiccfa larger force of cavalry,
Lieutenant Bairdsaid General Crooks action
in that respect isnot fully understood. He
took all the mei he could possibly provide
TRANSPORTATION for. Everything in the way
OF provisions ana baggage hao 10
be carried ouIpack-mules The country was
secured and all the mules that could be pro-
cured at different posts brought in; these
mules are rot very PLENTIFUL and the size OF
the force had to be regulated in accordance
with tbs supply. 1t was absolutely neces-
sary to take scouts to track the enemy. Gen.
Crook took with him far as the border
e;sb, or ten com panies, with which he formed
a Gordon along the line. Six companies
vere left in the vicinity of San Bernardino,
under Colonel Biddle; it was with one of
these companies was stationed. 1t is ter
rible country General Crook entered,
perfectly desolate. Prosperous ranches
that used to stand along the
base of the mountains have been swept away
by the savages. and an occasional isolated
hamlet is all that is left of the villages. The
great difficulty General Crook has to contend
with is the scarcity of water. The scouts
only know of one or two places where water
can be found, but the fugitives know where
every drop is in the mountains. The most
cordial relations existed between General
Crook and the Mexican authorities, and his
plans and intentions were fully approved by
them. I think no uneasiness need be felt Tor
the safety of General Crook; We had no other
idea down there than that he knew what he
was about and would come out all right,
a STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS on THE BORDER.
The following statement of theview laken
at army headquarters of the situation of af-
fairs on the Mexican frontier and the plans
and circumstances of General Crook, is made
by authority. Some time since Secretary
Frelinghuysen, on behalf of the United
States, and Senior Romero, Mexican minis
ter, with the approval OF his government
entered into an agreement, not treaty, that
troops OF either nation might follow an In
dian raiding party across the national border
and destroy them. Pursuit must be made in
"hot blood" on "fresh trail" and accord
ing to information law, tdue notice being
given the other par ty,) and must cease the
moment the authorities of the territory in
yaded were able and willing to take il up.
General Crook was assigned to the
command of the Department OF Ari-
IONA on account of his especial
fitness and experience, and he was given an
increased force to enable him to prevent
these Apache raids, which so interfered with
the development of the resources of the Ter
ritory. This force consisted of two full regi-
.nients of cavalry 1.-THE Third and SIXTH one
regiment of infantry 1.-THE First) and 200 In
dian scouts (two-thirds of all now employed
10y the United Statesl. General Crook was
convinced by recent raid that peace and
security in Arizona could only be attained
by making the Apaches in Sonora respect
and fear the power of this government and
he therefore determined to follow the raid
ers to their hiding place in the mountains
which separate the Mexican States of Sonora
and Chihuahua. He made his preparations
with great care and deliberation, and took
the preeaution of first visiting So.
nora in person and consulting with
its civil and military authorities
with respect to his contemplated
movement. They were only too glad to
have such an auxiliary in the work of pre-
venting Apache raids, aud having assured
himself of this General Crook returned to his
command and began the movement now in
progress.
The War Department had given General
Crook the fullest liberty to conduct this bold
enterprise in his own way and his own time,
reposine in HIM absolute confidence and fur
nishing him with men and money fully up
to his acquisitions and estimates There is
no hurry in the matter, for during his alb
sence from Arizona all railway and mining
operations and other pursuits of the people
of that Territory are going on without inter
rupton, and his presence on the other side
OF the border will keep all the hostile Apa-
ches there from undertaking another raid.
General Crook in due time will account for
everything in his own way or perish.