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Scarce Resume of Operations Against Apache Indians, 1882 to

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Scarce Resume of Operations Against Apache Indians, 1882 to

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Crook, Brig. Gen'l. George. [Washington]: U.S. Army, 1886. 12mo, in printed wraps, stapled, 25 numbered pp. Cover with Confidential on front wrap. A quick look at the content would indicate why. The first communication from J.P. Martin, AAG, notes that the Apache campaign has ended with the surrender of Geronimo, Natchez, and others, so it seemed "proper" to recount the history of "Indian troubles" in the territory (Arizona Terr. primarily). Some of the early communications deal with the possibility of Crook negotiating a surrender of the Apache. It is important that this matter should not gain publicity, so as to get to the ears of the Indians.

In March 1886 General Sheridan communicated with Crook, stating that negotiations should continue, since the President could not go along with the terms suggested. In the meantime and on the receipt of this order your are directed to take every precaution against the escape of the hostiles, which must not be allowed under any circumstances. You must make at once such disposition of your troops as will insure against further hostilities by completing the destruction of the hostiles, unless these terms [unconditional surrender] are acceded to. The telegram sent the next day to Crook from Sheridan, in response to a communication not included herein, in total: Your dispatch of yesterday received. It has occasioned great disappointment. It seems strange that Geronimo and party could have escaped without the knowledge of the scouts.

Then the deception really begins: Crook to Sheridan: To inform the Indians that the terms on which they surrendered are disapproved would in my judgment no only make it impossible for me to negotiate with them but result in their scattering to the mountains, and I can't at present see any way to prevent it. A few days later, a couple of men who left with Geronimo returned. Crook reported to Sheridan: They report that there are several others with Geronimo who are very tired of the life they have been living. Upon investigation it appears that a man named Tribolett who has been selling the Indians large quantities of bad whiskey is at the bottom of all this trouble. Ah, demon rum!

Arrangements are then made to transport those who did not leave with Geronimo to Fort Marion, FL, before word can get to the others that their terms of surrender have changed. Sheridan tells Crook: The present terms not having been agreed to her and Geronimo having broken every condition of the surrender, the Indians now in custody are to be held as prisoners and sent to Fort Marion without reference to previous communications and without in any way consulting their wishes in the matter. Crook is replaced by General Miles the following week. In a long, last communication defending his actions, Crook notes that the actions of the troops in the field were totally ineffective in bringing the Apaches in. It was only through negotiation, as he pushed from the beginning, that any Apaches surrendered. 

Descended directly in the family of General Thomas H. Ruger

Condition: Moderate toning of front wrap, old fold.