Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-07-13
THE VICTORIOUS GENERAL.
Crooik's brilliant Army Record aud
success as an Indian Fighter.

success as AN Indian Fighter.
General Crook was born in Wayne town
ship, in Montgomery county, Ohio. He
entered the United States Military Academy
In 1S4S graduated in 1859 and received his
commission as second lieutenant of the
Fourth infantry, In 1856 lie became first
lieutenant. Prior 10 the war he was on duty
in California, where he gained high reputa-
ton for his successful expeditions against the
Pitt River Indians, tie bravcst and most
hostile tribe on the Test slope of the Rocky
Mountains Through his intelligence and
bravery he opened up to the pioneer, the
miuer and the farmer a territory OF un-
bounded wealth. In 1861 he was recalled to
the States, and on May 14th of that year
was promoted captain of the Fourth in
fantry.
In the following September, by permission
of the War Department, he accepted the
colonclcy of the Thirty sixth Ohio Noun-
teers. In May. 1862, he commanded sue
cessful expedition, composed of the Thirty
sixth and Forty-fourth Ohio volunteers,
| against the Virginia Central Railroad, near
Dublin station. In the same month he at.
| tackled and broke up rebel camp of $500
men, under General Heth, in Louisburg,
West Virginia. AT the second battle of Bull
Run aud Antietam he commanded a brigade
and behaved with gaantry. He was con
firmed Brigadier General IN March, 1868,
and July following was ordered to the COM
| mand of the Second division of cavalry,
Army Of the Cumberland. He operated
principally in the protection of railroad COM
munications, frequently encounteriug the
forces of Wheeler, Rodiy and Forrest. AT
the battle of Chickamauga he commanded
the cavalry on the right. In February, 1864,
he was ordered to the Department of West
Virginia and fought the successful battle of
Floyd Mountain in May, after which he took
part in General Hunters forces in the move
ment against LYnchburg and Stauntun. On
July II, 1864, he was promoted Brcvet
Major General of Volunteers. In the follow
| ing month he was assigned to the command
of the Department of West Virginia, rcliev-
ing Major General Hunter. Under General
Sheridan he commanded the troops of the
Eighth corps in the field aud fought in the
Successful battles of Opcquim, Fishers
Hill and Cedar Creek After the last named
battle he was promoted fun Major General
Of Volunteers to date from October 81, 1864,
and was confirmed in his rank of Major Gen
cral on FEBRUARY II, 1865. After the war he
was placed IN the command OF the District
Of Boise, Idaho, where he subducd the Snake
Indians.
From 1871 TO 1875 General Crook was in
command Of the Department of Arizona.
AT the time he assumed command the
Apachcs occupied a territory about 200 miles
square and numbered 90, 900. These were
divided into twenty or more bands. Six
thousand or more of these were hostile and
lived in the White Mountain country, and
from eight to ten thousand above the San
Carlos country. When General Cook first
took charge the government would not con-
sent to acampaign against the hostiles, but in
the following year the raids were SO frequent
that the order to fight was given. The
Indians showed most desperate front and
fought with great bravery and skill until
May, 1873, when they surrendered. The
next command he held was that of the
Department Of the Platte, where he subdued
the Sioux and conducted the operations OF
the famous Black Hills campaign. General
sherman awarded him high praise for his
efforts in subduing the savages, and spoke of
him as a splendid Indian fighter. He was
again placed in command of the Department
Of Arizona, and up to date has displayed
all those soldicry qualities which have gained
him SO great reputation.