— Ch. 1 · Early Life And Military Beginnings —
George Crook.
~6 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
George R. Crook was born on the 8th of September 1828 to Thomas and Elizabeth Matthews Crook on a farm near Taylorsville, Ohio. He received his nomination to the United States Military Academy from Congressman Robert Schenck. Crook graduated in 1852 but ranked near the bottom of his class. His first assignment placed him with the 4th U.S. infantry as brevet second lieutenant in California from 1852 until 1861. He served in Oregon and northern California where he alternately protected or fought against several Native American tribes. The Pitt River Expedition of 1857 fell under his command during these early years. An Indian arrow severely wounded him in one of several engagements. He established Fort Ter-Waw in what is now Klamath Glen, California. These years extended his prowess in hunting and wilderness skills. He often accompanied Indians whose languages he learned. One aide likened him to Daniel Boone for his abilities.
Civil War Campaigns And Leadership
The Civil War broke out when Crook accepted a commission as Colonel of the 36th Ohio Infantry. He led it on duty in western Virginia. A small fight at Lewisburg wounded him while he commanded the 3rd Brigade in the District of the Kanawha. He returned to command his regiment during the Northern Virginia Campaign. John Pope's headquarters escort included him and his regiment at the Second Battle of Bull Run. Union forces suffered defeat there before attaching Crook to the Kanawha Division. On September 12 Augustus Moor was captured and Crook assumed command of the 2nd Brigade. He led this brigade at the Battle of South Mountain near Burnside's Bridge at Antietam. He received promotion to brigadier general on the 7th of September 1862. A lifelong friendship developed with Col. Rutherford B. Hayes of the 23rd Ohio Infantry. Crook later assumed command of the Kanawha Division detached from the IX Corps. His division became part of the Army of the Cumberland fighting at Hoover's Gap. He fought at Chickamauga and pursued Joseph Wheeler during the Chattanooga campaign. In February 1864 he returned to command the Kanawha Division designated the 3rd Division of the Department of West Virginia.