The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-01
Crooks Campaign.
AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT OF MS PLANS
AND MOVEMENTS.
fRr telegraph to the DIspateh. /

quarters Vi ltlt tlludtlon VI diiilN on tlp
Mexican frontier and OF the plans and cir
cumstances OF General Crook Is made NV
authority: The United States acquired
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona from Old
Mexico In the war OF 1916 and 1SiS. Ever
since that time our army and adventurous
emigrants have been fighting with the
Apaches Uhe general name given to many
bands OF Indians OF about the same TYNE.
known distlnctively as Tontos. Jlcarilas.
Warm-Spring Indians, and Chincahuas).
who for 200 years have been contending
for the possession OF the territory living
along what Is now the Mexican frontier.
According to the policy OF the United
States, such Of the Apaches as properly
belong on our side OF the line have been
collected into two reservations. at or near
each OF which is the usual agent OF the In
dian Bureau and a garrison OF troops.
One OF these reservations is in New
Mexico, Fort Stanton, and the other
In Arizona, at San Carlos, Fort
Thomas. A large part OF the Apaches,
however, still remain in Sonora and Chi
huahua. These Indians occasionally come
north TO see their old friends at the agencies.
and the agency Indians return their visits,
and while making such trips they keep
their hands in by stealing cattle and horses
which fall in their way. and by killing
everybody whom they encounter. They
are natural and common enemies Of both
Americans and MeXicans. They give no
quarter and expect none. Such visit or
raid across the border creates panic, but
the cause is gone before the hue and cry
can be raised. Some time since Secretary
Frelinghuysen. in behalf OF the United
States. and Senior Romero, the Mexican
Minister, with the approval OF his own
Government, entered into an agreement
mot treaty. that the troops OF either ma
ton might follow such raiding party across
the national border and destroy them. The
pursuit, however, must be immediate, in
hot blood, on "fresh trail" and
according TO international law. due
notice being given TO the other par
". and must cease the moment the
authorities OF the territory invaded were
able and willing to take il up. General
Crook was assigned TO the command OF the
Department OF Arizona on account OF his
special fitness and experience. and he was
given an increased force to enable him to
prevent these Apache raids. which so in
terfered with the development OF the re-
sources Of the Territory. This force con-
sisted OF two full regiments OF cavalry
Third and SIXTH, one regiment OF in
fantry (the First, and 200 Indian scouts
two thirds OF all now employed by
the United States. General Crook was
convinced by the recent raid that peace
and security in Arizona could only be at
tanned by making the Apachcs in Sonora
respect and fear the power OF this Govern
ment; and he therefore determined to fol-
low the raiders to their hidmg-pace in the
mountains which separate the Mexican
States OF Sonora and chihuahua. lie
made his preparations with great care
and deliberation, and took the precaution
OF first visiting Sonora in person and
consulting with its civil and military au-
thorities with regard TO his contemplated
movements. They were only too glad to
have such an auxiliary in the work OF pre-
venting the Apache raids, and having as
sured himself Of this, General Crook re-
turned TO his command and began the
movements now in progress. The War
Department has given General Crook the
fullest liberty TO conduct this bold enter
prise in his own way and his own time.
repOsing in him absolute confidence, and
furnishing him with men and money
fully up TO his acquisitions and estimates.
There is no hurry in the matter, for
during his absence from Arizona all rail-
way and mining operations and other pur-
suits OF the people OF that Territory are
going on without interruption, and his
presence on the other side OF the border
will keep all hostile Apaches there from UNI
dertaking another raid. General Crook in
due time will account for everything in his
own way or perish.
ONE OF CROOKS OFFICERS INTERVIEWED.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-Lieutenant viii
liam Baird, Of the Sixth cavalry, who has
inst returned from the Mexican frontier,
said TO 4 reporter to-day, in reply to in
Guiries. that he did not think the reports
Of General Crooks engagement with the
savaees were Trustworthy. every likely"
he said. "there has been fighting, hut do
not think any decisive action has taken
place. General Crook did not intend to
send back word until he had accomplished
something or had entirely failed"
In reply TO a question why General Crook
did not take with him into Mexico larger
force of cavalry. Lieutenant Baird said:
" General Crooks action in that respect Is
not fully understood. lie took all the men
he could possibly provide transportation
for. Everything in the way OF provisions
and baggage had to be carried on pack.
mules. The country was secured, and
ALI the mules that could be procured
at different posts were brought IN.
These mules are not very plentiful,
and size OF the force had to be regulated in
accordance with the supply. 1t was abso-
lutely necessary 10 take scouts 10 track the
enemy. General Crook took with him as
far AS the border eight or ten companies,
with which he formed n Gordon along the
line. six companies were left in the yicin-
ity Of san BcnardinO under Colonel Bid
die. II was with one OF these companies
that was stationed. 1t is n terrible colIn-
trv that General Crook entered, and per-
fectly desOlate. Prosperous ranches that
used TO stand along the base OF the noun
tains have been swept away by the saw
AGES. and an occasional isolated hamlet
j. ali that is left OF the villages. The great
difficulty that General Crook has to con-
tend with is the scarcity OF water. The
scouts only know one or two places where
water can be found. hut the fugiuyes know
where every drop Is IN the mountains.
! The most cordial relations existed between
Crook and the Mexican authorities, and his
nlans and intentions were fully approved
bv them. | think that no uneasiness need
be felt for the safety OF Crook and his men.
we had no idea down there other than he
knew what lie was about, and that he
would come out all right"
Indians Surrendering.
IBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch'l