Research Catalog

Title

General Crook and the western frontier / by Charles M. Robinson III.

Author

Robinson, Charles M., 1949-

Publication

Norman : University of Oklahoma Press, c2001.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xix, 386 p. : ill., maps; 24 cm.

Summary

• "General George Crook was one of the most prominent soldiers in the frontier West. General William T. Sherman called him the greatest Indian fighter and manager the army ever had. And yet, on hearing of Crook's death, the Sioux chief Red Cloud lamented, "He, at least, never lied to us." As a young officer in the Pacific Northwest, Crook emphasized training and marksmanship - innovative ideas in the antebellum army." "Crook's career in the West began with successful campaigns against the Apaches that resulted in his promotion to brigadier general. His campaign against the Lakota and Cheyennes was less successful, however, as he alternately displayed deep insight, egotism, indecision, and fear."
• "Charles M. Robinson pieces together the contradictions of Crook's career to reveal that although the general sometimes micromanaged his campaigns to the point that his officers had virtually no flexibility, he gave his officers so much freedom on other occasions that they did not fully understand his expectations or objectives. Crook resented any criticism and was quick to blame both subordinates and superiors, yet Robinson shows that much of Crook's success in the Indian wars can be attributed to the efforts of subordinate officers. He also details Crook's later efforts to provide equal rights and opportunities for American Indians."--Jacket.

Subject

• Crook, George, 1829-1890
• 1866-1895
• Indians of North America > Wars > 1866-1895
• Generals > United States > Biography

Genre/Form

Biographies

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [363]-374) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Introduction: General Crook and history -- Frontiersman -- Indian fighter -- Volunteer officer -- The Shenandoah campaign -- Sheridan takes command -- The closing battles -- "I got interested ..." -- Arizona : "a sharp active campaign" -- The grand offensive -- The Great Sioux War -- Rosebud George -- A bloody campaign of attrition -- "It is an outrage" -- The Ponca affair -- Arizona : "justice to all--Indians as well as white men" -- Geronimo -- Division commander -- The last battle.

ISBN

0806133589 (alk. paper)

LCCN

^^2001027626

OCLC

• 46882538
• SCSB-10721421

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library