General George R. Crook in the West
Brigadier General George R. Crook (September 8, 1830-March 21, 1890) is popularly recognized as the quintessential 'Indian Fighter' of the late nineteenth century. He frequented the entire 'Intermountain Region', especially the top of the Colorado Plateau during the conflict with the Apache, and in Wyoming and Montana during the war against the Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. Upon close inspection, General Crook's philosophy was much more complicated and sympathetic toward the plight of his Indian adversaries. As a regimental commander, Colonel Crook led the 36th Ohio Infantry to the battle known as Second Bull Run. After his promotion to Brigade Commander, Crook commanded his men in the epic battles of Antietam and Chicamauga. Following the Civil War, in 1871 General Crook was assigned to the unenviable task of forcing the multiple Apache tribes in the Arizona territory onto reservations. After the completion of this assignment, his 5th Cavalry was ordered North to support the 2nd and 7th Cavalry Regiments in pursuing the Sioux and Northern Cheyenne.
General Crook's assignments stationed him at multiple Fort's within the Intermountain region. This tour includes, Fort Verde, Fort Apache, and Fort Fetterman. Featured along with these military installations are tours of one of his frequented routes, on Forest Service Road 300, and the site of a controversial engagement at Rosebud Creek, Montana.
Forest Service Road 300 and General Crook
Brigadier General George R. Crook (September 8, 1828 -March 21, 1890) is popularly recognized as the quintessential 'Indian Fighter' of the late nineteenth century. In the Apache Campaign, Crook's troopers frequented the Mogollon Rim above Fort Verde in central Arizona Territory on the path to engage the Tonto Apache. This crest trail is designated as Forest Service Road 300.
View Story Show on Map
Fort Fetterman State Historic Site and General Crook
Brigadier General George R. Crook (September 8, 1828 -March 21, 1890) is popularly recognized as the quintessential 'Indian Fighter' of the late nineteenth century, despite expressing sympathy for his native adversaries. In the summer of 1876, Crook's forces deployed from Fort Fetterman in central Wyoming on three Yellowstone Expeditions to force the Plains Indians onto…
View Story Show on Map
Fort Verde State Park and General Crook
Brigadier General George R. Crook (September 8, 1828 -March 21, 1890) is popularly recognized as the quintessential 'Indian Fighter' of the late nineteenth century, despite the fact that he sometimes expressed anger not at the native peoples but toward the interfering white settlers. In 1871 Crook's forces deployed from Fort Verde in the northern Arizona Territory in pursuit of the…
View Story Show on Map
Fort Apache Historic District and General Crook
Brigadier General George R. Crook (September 8, 1828 -March 21, 1890) is popularly recognized as the quintessential 'Indian Fighter' of the late nineteenth century, despite expressing admiration for his adversaries. In December 1870, Crook's forces established a camp known as Fort Apache in the territory of the White Mountain Apache.
View Story Show on Map
Rosebud Battlefield State Park and General Crook
At Rosebud Creek, Montana, Northern Cheyenne and Sioux warriors attacked Brigadier General George R. Crook's forces in June 1876. Crook's complex philosophical differences with General Philip Sheridan, and his sympathetic sentiments toward the plight of his Indian adversaries, influenced his cautious, tactical decisions in the days following the battle.
View Story Show on Map