The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-07

Crooks the Famous Indian Fighter. NomL
mated 60 Ee NIA1or-GenoraI
Special TO the Indianapolfs journal
WASHINGTON. April 6.-The nomination ot
Brigadier-eeneral George Crook to be major
general, vice Alfred Fl. Terry retired. gives gem
eral satisfaction, and nothing but words Of com
mendation can be heard in regard to the course
of the President, who guided solely by the
record of this distinguished soldier General
Crook, . native OF Ohio, graduated from the
military academy at West Point in 1852 and was
assigned to duty in the Fourth Infantry, then
serving in California and Oregon. He
soon became noted for courage cool
meas and skill in Indian warfare, and
his name has since become household
word in every State and Territory west of the
Mississippi river. During the war OK the rebel
lion he became one of the prominent command
ers of the national forces, reaching the command
or separate army. and at the close of the war
was in command Of Sheridans cavalry in Vir-
ginia. With the surrender Of Lee he was
promptly ordered back to his Oil field of duty in
northern Califcrnia and eastern Idaho, TO quell
the Piut-s and Bannocks. then in those States
well as in Nevada and Washington Territory.
He pursued them during the worst winter ever
known IN that region, and at last brought them
to bay in the Internal caverns of the lava beds
OF Idaho, killing great number. and reducing
duced President Grant to order him to Arizona,
to ouell the Apaches. who had been at hosfilities
since the first coming of the Spaniards Cook
endeRvored to secure peace by gentle means.
but these failing he began his operations with
startling energy. attacking the hostiles In their
chosen stronghold. At the head of San Maria,
at Salt river. at Turret Butte, at Superstition
mountain, and dozens of other places the
Apaches were surprised Dy forced night marches,
thoroughly whipped and forced to surrender to-
the number of ). 600. They were not permitted
to live in peaceful deness, but were compelled
TO farm for their living. Only band
exempted by name from Crooks control-the
Chiricahuas, who afterwards gave the authori-
ties much trouble.
Promoted to theposition OF brigadier- general,
Crook transferred TO the department of the
Platte. where the Sioux, Cheyennes, Bannocks
and Utes we're elements of danger the public
peace In his campaigns against the Sioux and
Cheyennes, in 1876 and 1877, he led his troops
for two winters in the face of blizzards in Dako-
"a. Wyoming and Montana at temperature of
40 degrees below zero. and through summer OF
unusual heat and unprecedented rains. The
tire command narrowly escaped starvation. be-
ing reduced for eleven days 60 diet of horse
meat and water His troops fought the hostiles
on Powder river. Wyoming. in Feb
the village of Crazy Horse, on the
lower Powder, in Montana, in March; again
Montana on june 9. 1876: whipped Crazy Horse
and Sitting Bull on the Rose bud, June IL, 1876
again on Goose creek, Montana. in August. 1876
again at Slim Butte. OAK, Sept. 3. 1876 and
totally destroyed the village OF the Cheyennes.
on Willow creek, Wyoming in the arctic
weather of Nov. 25 1876. This last blow proved
too much and the hostiles sent in runners beg
gins for terms
In subssouens operations against disaffected
Utss and Bannocks. Crook showed the same
energy. ekill and courage. Recalled to Arizona
in 1882 10 subdue the Chiricahua Apaches, who
were again on the wnr-path. he made the memoir
able march against them into the heart
of the Sierra Madre, 800 miles
the Mexican border, surprised Geronimo's
stronghold. killing nine and inducing the others
surrender. Five hundred and twenty five
Chiricahnas returned 10 the agency. being every
soul of the hostiles, aud seventeen white
captives restored to freedom.
General Crook is known to the country at
large as firm friend to all Indians. anxious to
do right and live at peace. His firm advocacy
of the cause of the Dakota Poncas in 1881, and
bis answering friendship for such of the
Apache bands as have kept faith with the
whites, has attracted favorable attention
throughout the country. He will hold his new
position for six seven years, retiring in 1894
His headquarters will, in all probability, be
Chicago.