New-York tribune., 1909-04-11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE CAPTURE OF GERONIMO.
Captain Lawton and Leonard Wood Only Ones
In Chase from Start to Finish.
To the Editor OF The Tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: When General Miles was given command
of the campaign to capture Geronimo Lawton,
who was then captain in the 4th Cavalry, went
to him and asked to be allowed to undertake the
work submitting TO General Miles plans he had
carefully thought out and weighed. General Miles
approved the plans and gave Captain Lawton COM
mand Of the expedition. promising to keep him
supplied with such things the command would
need. Catain Iawton started about May
o. 1856, from Fort Huachuca, Arizona Leonard
Wood, who had received appointment as doctor,
arrived in time to accompany the expedition Cap
tain Lawton and DR.. Wood were the only men
who endured the whole five months Of hard work.
The difficulties and hardshps encountered In
strange country-sO rough that shoes were worn
out in day two: the feet blistered and cut
from the rocks and and swollen from the cactl
that covered the ground; water SO scarce that the
suffering was great and no shade or blade OF
grass visible: then the rainy season. when not only
the trail washed. but the dry little river BEDS
were turned into raging torrents Impossible 10
cross without great danger and loss OF tlme-t
would fill pages to tell.
Lieutenant Gatewood. 9Th Cavalry was sent with
two friendly Apaches to communicate with the
renegade. At his own request voluntarily putting
himself under Captain Lawton's orders, ne Jolheu
his command. After a treess, steady pursuit,
allowing the Indians time 10 provide cIoth-
ing food for themselves capturing everything
but their persons, they finally came up with them
In the Torres Mountains, where Gatewoods INDIANS
went to talk with them, after which IdeuteHant
GatewOod went. Geronimo then agreed 10 talk
with Captain Lawton, who lost time in meeting
him. Geronimo, after a short conference, prom
ised to accompany Captain Dawt0n to q certain
point, where he would surrender General Miles.
They did this with difficulty and annoyance, as
Geronimo very suspicious and as watchfui as
q hawk. They finally arrived at Skeleton Canyon
Arizona, and the surrender made uncondi-
tionaly, and the territory freed from the maraud-
ing and unspeakable atrocities of the Indians
Meantime the supplies did not reach the command,
and officers scarce as shoes. When
company Of infantry left without any officer
DR., Wood volunteered to take command. which he
did in a very efficient manner. This was his first
experience as q commander.
When Geronimo captured by Captain Lawton
he fell down upon his knees before the captain.
and CIasping him around the waist said he wanted
to the only white chieftain that was able 70
capture him, and he marched through the
villages the brought their children to see
the great soldier who had been able to rid them
Of the cruel Indian Lawton out three COM
panies of soldiers making the capture. and
each company of soldiers became exhausted he
ordered it back to the barracks and got another
Henry CIews has been able to obtain the above
facts owing family relationship with the late
General Iawton. The foregoing is true II. every
particular, and l glad concur fully in these
statements. 1 commanding the military
division at the time of this expedition.
OLIVER 0. HOWARD,
Major General. L. S. A. retired)
New York April 9, 1903