The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-19


thus followed them to their favorite feed
ing grounds
Crook. because OF the two stars on his
shoulders indicating his rank But that
was not a very general title. The Gray
Fox" was what he really was TO the Indians
and this was sincere tribute 10 his
shrewdness and cunning. for no animal
OF the West was superior to the gray fox
in intelligence.
General Crook never learned any Indian
language thoroughly, but was familiar with
the sign language, which enabled him to
understand any Indian. no matter where
he belonged At all councils where he con-
interpreter, so that there should be no mis-
understanding to what he might say TO
the Indians or what they said to him. But
his leading Characteristic and that which
made him successful and powerful among
the Indians, that he never lied TO
them. No Indian ever knew him or knew
of him but had high veneration for
the Gray Fox for what he promised he
performed. He never made pledges for the
government that he knew would not be full
filled promise from Gray Fox" wheth-
er it was for the protection OF the govern
ment, supply OF food, or a sound thrash
ing. was always made good.
peculiar trait Of General Crook was
that he had no hesitancy in going into a
hostile country without a guard. and he
often made long Journeys from one post
to another without escort. With an order
ly and servant he would strike out across
the country occupied by hostiles and remain
away for several days. He knew the In
dian nature so well and was so familiar
never feared molestation and was never
even attacked. On such excursions he
added TO the store of his knowledge con-
corning the foe he was pursuing,
In one of his campaigns he established a
series OF posts on either side OF the region
where the hostile Indians were located. He
would send out attachments with instruc-
tions to cross the hostile country and strike
the Indians so as TO do them the most
harm. The detachments would consist OF
troop or half troop OF cavalry, accord
ing to the nature Of the work in hand.
Each would be accompanied by. ten or. hf--
teen Indian scouts. When an Indian trail
would locate the camp and give the infor-
nation as to how IL might be approached
and. the time 1t would take to reach IL:
routed by a different detachment the morn
ing before and had moved camp. as was
their custom. even when able to make some
resistance. Early in the morning the troops
would strike. taking the Indians by sur
prise, for they never posted pickets- They
depended for their safety upon. putting
distance between themselves and their pur-
suers and not upon keeping their camp
guarded by watchers.
Tn. soldiers upon making an attack would
make IL short and sharp, carrying great
destruction during the encounter. II it
was found that the Indians were strong
force the soldiers would get away when
shock OF surprise. The Indians, fearing
their return with an increased force would
break camp and move. perhaps TO be at
tackled in the same way by another detach-
ment the next morning.
This sort of warfare was very dishearten-
ing to the Indians. The daylight attacks.
when they were utterly unprepared, was a
great shock. Many would be killed or
wounded before they could strike a blow
in defense. Their resistance was weak be-
cause they never seemed to be ready. IL
they fed their entire camp was burned. II
the band was largely superior In numbers
the troops would ride through the camp.
spreading death and terror. and then dis
appear, oftentimes not leaving single
scalp to offset the dead and wounded among
the warriors.
time the Indians concluded that IL was USE
less to remain on the warpath against the
Gray Fox" and they all came In TO Gen
eral Crooks headquarters, sending peace
messages before them They were not dis
turbed. but they received no word from
Crook. He remained I'm his tent or took
them whatever. They sent word that they
wanted TO hold n council. but he made them
no answer. Finally. after some weeks had
they wanted. For three days he listened to
first one and then another. Each chief and
Indian of any Importance Ind his say. They
all had the same general emo In view. Iney
wanted no more war: they wanted TO Craze
their ponies and cattle and cultivate the
soil end live at peace with the white man.
At the end Crook spoke few words harsh
things; why don't you 60 and do them
and he left the council. The Indians were
troubled, more awed and humbled than ever
before. But they finally acted on his sug-
gestion and have never since given any
trouble.
On another occasion. when he was
charged with subduing the Cheyennes.
who were on the warpath. the situation
was complicated by the proba bflites that
the hostiies would be Joined by the Sioux
This would have meant serious trouble and
doubled the work OF the army. General
Crook selected a young officer In whom he
had confidence and gave him message TO
take to Spotted Tail. Tell him sent you.
and be sure and deliver IL just as I tell
you" said the general
Suppose he asks questions about it,
inquired the officer
Don't tell him anything more: repeat the
message and impress IL upon him. That IN
ALL"
Another message was sent TO Red Cloud.
another Sioux CHIEF. with precisely the
same instructions The officer who was re-
calling the circumstances would not tell
what the messages were. but they were Of
such a character to set the chiefs won
dering what the Gray Fox meant. and
they had the precise effect that Crook In
tended Spotted Tail and Red Cloud pre-
vented the Sioux from joining the Chey-
ennes. and Crock soon whipped the latter
into submission.