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 General George Crook
N 38° 52.813 W 077° 04.347
18S E 320232 N 4305525
General George Crook, fought during the Civil War, but was most widely recognized for his efforts in the West during the Indian Wars.
Waymark Code: WMBXA7
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 06/30/2011
Views: 10
George Crook was born in Taylorsville, Ohio on September 23, 1829. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1852, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Infantry. Prior to the Civil War, Crook was stationed at Fort Vancouver and saw action against the Yakima. Crook served in the Union Army during the Civil War seeing action at Antietam, Cedar Creek, Cloyds Mountain, Sailors Creek and Appomattox. After the Civil War he was stationed at Boise, Idaho where over the next several years battled the Paiute. In 1871 Crook was given command of the District of Arizona and promoted to Brigadier General. In 1875 served on the Platte where he was involved in a number of battles against the Sioux and Cheyenne. In June 1876, Crooks forces battled the Sioux and Cheyenne at the Battle of Rosebud Creek. The battle lasted for more than 6-hours and was the first time the Indians had banded together to fight the white man. Crooks greatest success came during the Indian Wars and while he fought the Native Americans, he also showed compassion for them. His compassion was recognized by the Native Americans who call him Chief Grey Wolf. When Geronimo went on the warpath in 1885, General Crook tried to persuade the Apache Leader to come and talk peace. For peaceful attempts, General Crook was widely criticized and eventually replaced by General Nelson Miles. Miles repeated attempts to force Geronimo to surrender were an overwhelming failure and he eventually resorted to General Crook’s tactics of peaceful negotiation. In 1866, Geronimo signed a peace treaty effectively ending the Indian Wars. In 1888, Crook was promoted to Major General and given command of the Division of Missouri. It was his last command. General George Crook died in Chicago, Illinois on March 21, 1890. He is resting in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery. Source/Credit: ( visit link)
Description:
George Crook was born on 23rd September, 1829, near Taylorville, Ohio. After being educated at West Point he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of the 4th Infantry. His first post was at Benicia Barracks in California. In 1853 he was moved to Fort Jones. Later he was sent to Fort Vancouver, Washington where he saw action against the Yakima. He also fought as a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War.
On 28th July, 1866, Crook was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was given command of the District of Boise in Idaho. Over the next five years Crook was involved in action against the Paiute. In one skirmish in September, 1867, eight of his men were killed at Pitt River.
Crook was given command of the Department of Arizona in June 1871. He was considered a great success in this difficult job and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. In 1875 Crook was appointed commander of the Department of Platte and over the next couple of years was involved in massive operations against the Sioux and Cheyenne On 17th June 1876, Crook and about 1,000 troops, supported by 300 Crow and Shoshone, fought against 1,500 members of the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. The battle at Rosebud Creek lasted for over six hours. This was the first time that Native Americans had united together to fight in such large numbers.
Crook was seen as America's most successful commander in the Indian Wars. As well as a good commander of his troops, Crook showed a genuine sympathy for the plight of the Native Americans. They recognized this and he was affectionately known as Chief Grey Wolf. In 1882 he was sent to Arizona to deal with the Apache. The following year he led the Sierra Madre Expedition in Mexico.
In May 1885, Geronimo went on the warpath. Crook tried to persuade the Apache leader to take part in peace negotiations. Crook was criticized for the way he was dealing with the situation and as a result he asked to be relieved of his command. General Nelson Miles replaced Crook and attempted to defeat Geronimo by military means. This strategy was also unsuccessful and eventually he resorting to Crook's strategy of offering a negotiated deal. In September 1886 Geronimo signed a peace treaty with Miles and the last of the Indian Wars was over.
Crook was promoted to the rank of Major General, and in April, 1888, was given command of the Division of Missouri. George Crook died of a heart attack in Chicago on 21st March, 1890.
Date of birth: 09/23/1829
Date of death: 03/21/1890
Area of notoriety: Military
Marker Type: Headstone
Setting: Outdoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily - 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
Fee required?: No
Web site: [Web Link]
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