George Crook

George Crook
Portrait of George Crook
Nickname(s)	Nantan Lupan, which means "Chief Wolf"1
Born	(1830-09-08)September 8, 1830 Taylorsville, Ohio
Died	March 21, 1890(1890-03-21) (aged 59) Chicago, Illinois
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1852–1890
Rank	Major General
Commands held	36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Kanawha Division VIII Corps Arizona Territory Department of the Platte Department of the West Division of the Missouri
Battles/wars	Indian Wars Pitt River Expedition American Civil War Battle of South Mountain Battle of Antietam Battle of Hoover's Gap Battle of Chickamauga Battle of Cloyd's Mountain Second Battle of Kernstown Battle of Opequon Battle of Fisher's Hill Battle of Cedar Creek Battle of Five Forks Battle of Sailor's Creek Battle of Appomattox Courthouse Indian Wars Snake War Battle of Owyhee River Battle of Steen's Mountain Battle of Infernal Caverns Yavapai War Battle of Salt River Canyon Battle of Turret Peak Great Sioux War Battle of Rosebud Battle of Slim Buttes Apache Wars Geronimo Campaign
Spouse(s)	Mary Tapscott Dailey
Signature

Indian Wars

American Civil War

Indian Wars

George R. Crook (September 8, 1830 – March 21, 1890) was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. During the 1880s, the Apache nicknamed Crook Nantan Lupan, which means "Grey Wolf."

Crook was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Matthews Crook on a farm near Taylorsville, Montgomery County, Ohio (near Dayton). Nominated to the United States Military Academy by Congressman Robert Schenck, he graduated in 1852, ranking near the bottom of his class.

He was assigned to the 4th U.S. infantry as brevet second lieutenant, serving in California, 1852–61. He served in Oregon and northern California, alternately protecting or fighting against several Native American tribes. He commanded the Pitt River Expedition of 1857 and, in one of several engagements, was severely wounded by an Indian arrow. He established a fort in Northeast California that was later named in his honor; and later, Fort Ter-Waw in what is now Klamath Glen, California.

During his years of service in California and Oregon, Crook extended his prowess in hunting and wilderness skills, often accompanying and learning from Indians whose languages he learned. These wilderness skills led one of his aides to liken him to Daniel Boone, and more importantly, provided a strong foundation for his abilities to understand, navigate and use Civil War landscapes to Union advantage.