The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-06-14
Antlerspn 9ntelli9enfer.
The WAR With the Red Men.

statement OF the view tahti W III my
headquarters Of the situation of affairs
on the Mexican frontier and of the plans
and circumstances Of Gen. Crook is made
by authority:
nThe United States acquired Texas, New
Mexico and Arizona from Old Mexico in
the war of lS46-4S. Ever since that
time our army and adventurous emil
grants have been fighting with the
many bands of Indians of about the
same type, known dstinctively as Ton
tos, Jicarillas, Warm Spring Indians and
Chiricahuas, who for two hundred years
have been contcnding for possession of
the territory lying along what Is now
the Mexican frontier. According to the
policv of the United States such Of the
Apachcs az 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 Indian bureau
and garrison of troops. One of these
reservations is in New Mexico, Fort
Stanton and the other in Arizona, Al San
Corlos. Fort Thomas A large part O:
the Apachcs, however, still rcIn2in in
Sonora and Chihuahua. These Indians
occasionally come North 10 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 every
BODY whom they encounter. They are
the natural and common enemies Of
both Americans and Mexicans. They
give no quarter aud expect none. Such
visits or raids across the border create n
panic, but the cause is gone before cry
can be raised. Some time since Secretary
l'relinghuyscn in behalf of the United
States and Senior Romero, Mexican min
lister, with the approval of his own Gov
ernment, entered into an agreement not
Il trenty) that the troops of either nation
might follow such raiders across the
national boundary and destroy them.
Pursuit must, however. be immediate,
in shot blood on "fresh TRAIL" and
according to International law, due
notice being given to the other party,
and must cease the moment the authori-
ties Of the territory invaded are able and
willing to take it up. Gen. Crook was
assigned to the command Of tho Depart
ment of Arizona on account OF his spc-
cial fitness and experience, and he was
given al increased force to enable him
TO prevent these Apache raids which 40
interfcrcd with the development Of the
resources of tho territory. This force
consisted of two full regiments Of cavnl-
ry, the Third and Sixth ono regiment
of infantry, the First, and 200 Indian
scouts, two thirds Of all now employed
by the United States. Gen. Crook was
convinced by recent raid that peace
and security in Arizona could only be
obtained by making tho Apaches in
Sonora respect and fear the power of this
Government, and he therefore dctermin-
cd to follow the raiders to their hiding
place in tho mountains which separate
the Mexican States of Sonora and Chi
huahua. 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 authorities with regard 10 his
contemplated movements. They were
only too glad to have such an auxiliary
in the work Of preventing Apache raids,
and having assured himself of this Gen.
Crook returned to his command and
began the movements now in progress.
The WEI department has given Gen.
Crook the fullest liberty to conduct this
hold enterprise in his own time, reposing
in him absolute confidence and furnish
ing 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 railway and
mining operations and other pursuits
of the people of that Territory are going
on without interruption, and his presence
Or the other side Of the border will keep
all hostile Apaches there from undertak-
ing another raid. Gen. Crook in due
time will account for everything in his
own way, or perish.
Lieut.. William Baird, of the 9th Cav
airy, who has just returned from tho Mex.
lean frontier, said to reporter TO day in
reply to inquiries, that he did not think
the reports OF Gen. Crooks engagement
with the hostiles were trustworthy.
"Very likely" he said, "there has been
fighting, but I do not think any decisive
action has taken place. Gen. Crook did
not intend to send back word until he
had accomplished something or had en-
tirely failed"
In reply to question why Gen. Crook
did not take with him iuto Mexico g
large force of Cavalry. Lieut.. Baird
said: "Gen. Crooks action in that re-
spect is not fully understood. He took
all the men that he could possibly pro-
vide transportation for. Everything in
tho way of provisions and baggage had
to be carried on pack mules. The coun-
try was secured and oil the mules that
could be procured at different posts were
brought in. These mules are not very
plentiful and the size of the force had to
be regulated in accordance with the
supply. It was absolutely necessary to
take scouts TO track the enemy. Gen.
Crook took with him as far as the border
eight Of ten companies, with which he
formed Gordon along the line. Six
companies were left in the vicinity Of
San Benardino under Col. Biddle. 1t
was with one of these companies that l
was stationed. lis terrible country
that Gen. Crook entered, perfectly desc.
late. Tho prosperous ranches that used
to stand along the base of the mountains
have been swept away by the savages,
and On occasional isolated hamlet is all
that is left of the villages. The great
difficulty that Gen. Crook has to contend
with is the scarcity of water. The scouts
only know one or two places where water
can be found, but tho fugitives know
where every drop Is in the mountains.
The most cordial relations existed be-
tween Crook and the Mexican authori.
ties, and his plans and intentions were
fully approved by them. think that
no uneasiness need be felt for the eafety
of Crook and his men. We had no idea
down there other than that he knew what
he was about, and that he would come
out all right"
WILCOX, ARIZONA, May 31.-Advices
from San Carlos state that Loco's wife,
son, son.in.law, daughter and grand.
children with n Sffaan women and aixtean