[Molly Pitcher]

Thanks for this post!

If you want to get a little of Gen. Crook...he's a figure in the historical novel, A Distant Trumpet by Paul Horgan. This is an excellent story of the s.w. Indian wars...honor and Army life, and so forth....

[engrpat]

If you want to get a little of Gen. Crook...he's a figure in the historical novel, A Distant Trumpet by Paul Horgan.

For an excellent read of Crook in Arizona I would suggest On the Border with General Crook by John, G. Bourke who was his aide during this period. The neat thing is it was written by someone who was there and taking part in the decisions and actions.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Crook stressed the importance of having healthy pack mules and horses, and he asked detailed questions about the animals. He had a passionate interest in the mules because he knew the success of any campaign, to a large extent, depended on them. He made it a point to know about the mules on every expedition, about their health and their eccentricities. The best men available were assigned to them.

George Crook's pack mules easily carried twice the load the army manual stipulated because he allowed only the best equipment to be used, and each pack saddle was tailored to fit each mule. He often spent an hour a day with the men and the mules, demonstrating scientific packing and how to check on the physical health of the mules. Therefore, Crook's troopers always had the ammunition they needed and his mule trains never failed in an emergency.

Amateurs study tactics. Professionals study logistics.

[Fiji Hill]

If you want to get a little of Gen. Crook...he's a figure in the historical novel, A Distant Trumpet by Paul Horgan.

I saw the movie version of A Distant Trumpet in 1965 and thoought it was one of the better oaters.