George Crook

• 1. Early Life And Military Beginnings

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  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.

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• 2. Civil War Campaigns And Leadership

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  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.

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• 3. Tactics In The Snake War

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  Crook successfully campaigned against the Snake Indians in the 1864, 68 Snake War earning nationwide recognition. He arrived in Boise to take command on the 11th of December 1866. The general noticed that Northern Paiute tribes gathered food during fall winter and spring seasons. He adopted tactics recommended by predecessor George B. Currey to attack during the winter months. Crook had his cavalry approach the Paiute on foot in attacks at their winter camps. Soldiers drew them in before remounting to defeat the Paiute and recover stolen livestock. He used Indian scouts as troops to spot enemy encampments while campaigning in Eastern Oregon. During the winter of 1867 scouts located a Paiute village near Steens Mountain. After covering escape routes Crook ordered charges on the village. His horse got spooked and galloped ahead carrying him through the village without wounding him. The army caused heavy casualties for the Paiute in the Battle of Tearass Plain. He later defeated mixed bands of Paiute Pit River and Modoc at Infernal Caverns in Fall River Mills California.

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• 4. The Rosebud And Little Bighorn Debates

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  On the 28th of May 1876 Crook assumed direct command of the Bighorn and Yellowstone Expedition at Fort Fetterman. He gathered a strong force from his Department of the Platte leaving Fort Fetterman on May 29. The column consisted of 1,051 men including 15 companies from the 2d and 3d Cavalry. It also included 5 companies from the 4th and 9th Infantry plus 250 mules and 106 wagons. On June 14 the column joined by 261 Shoshone and Crow allies prepared for a quick march. Each man carried only one blanket 100 rounds of ammunition and four days rations. The wagon train stayed at Goose Creek while infantry mounted pack mules. On June 17 the column set out at 0600 marching northward along the south fork of Rosebud Creek. Soldiers heard intermittent gunfire coming from bluffs to the north around 0800. A scout shouted Lakota Lakota as the Battle of the Rosebud began. By 0830 Sioux and Cheyenne had engaged Crook's Indian allies on high ground north of the main force. Greatly outnumbered scouts fell back giving Crook time to deploy forces. Low on ammunition with numerous wounded he decided to return to Fort Fetterman. Historians debate whether killing of five companies under George Armstrong Custer could have been prevented if Crook pressed his advantage.

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• 5. Geronimo Surrender And Aftermath

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  Crook was made head of the Department of Arizona forcing some Apache members to surrender. Geronimo continually evaded capture until March 1886 when they met in Cañon de los Embudos. Photographer C. S. Fly took about 15 exposures of the Apache on glass negatives during three days of negotiations. One picture showed Geronimo with two sons standing alongside taken at Geronimo's request. These images remain the only known photographs of an American Indian while still at war with the United States. Geronimo camped on the Mexican side agreeing to Crook's terms that night. A soldier sold them whiskey claiming their band would be murdered crossing the border. Geronimo and 25 followers slipped away costing Crook his command. Nelson A. Miles replaced Crook in 1886 bringing end to Apache Wars. Miles captured Geronimo and Chiricahua Apache band detaining scouts as prisoners-of-war. They were transported to Florida where most spent 26 years in captivity before release. Crook sent numerous telegrams protesting arrest of faithful scouts to Washington.

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• 6. Advocacy For Native American Rights

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  In 1879 Crook spoke on behalf of the Ponca tribe during trial of Standing Bear v. Crook. The federal judge affirmed that Standing Bear had some rights of U.S. citizens. That same year his home at Fort Omaha was completed now called General Crook House. He served as Commander of Department of Platte from 1886 to 1888. His portrait was painted by artist Herbert A. Collins during this tenure. Crook spent last years speaking out against unjust treatment of former Indian adversaries. Red Cloud a war chief of Oglala Lakota said he never lied to them giving hope through words. He died suddenly in Chicago in 1890 while serving as commander of Military Division of Missouri. He was originally buried in Oakland Maryland before remains transported to Arlington National Cemetery reinterred the 11th of November 1890.

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• 7. Legacy And Commemoration

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  His good friend Rutherford B. Hayes named one son George Crook Hayes honoring him though boy died before second birthday. Crook Counties in Wyoming and Oregon were named for him along with town of Crook Colorado. An unincorporated place called Crook City exists in Black Hills of South Dakota named for his 1876 camp there. Nearby Crook Mountain stands between Deadwood and Sturgis South Dakota. Crook Peak in Lake County Oregon elevation rises in Warner Mountains near Camp Warner set up 1867, 1874. Crook Mountain in Chelan County Washington elevation peaks in North Cascades bears his name. Cañon Pintado Historic District south of Rangely Colorado contains Ute petroglyphs locals call Crook's Brand Site. Forest Road 300 in Coconino National Forest is General Crook Trail blazed from Fort Verde to Fort Apache. Fort Crook served as Army post near Fall River Mills California 1857, 1869 then later as depot in Bellevue Nebraska 1891, 1946. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team nicknamed Greywolf honors his Apache title Chief Wolf.

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