George Crook

Born: September 8, 1828, Taylorsville (near Dayton), Ohio
Died: March 21, 1890 (age 61) Chicago, Illinois

George Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.  He spent his last years speaking out against the unjust treatment of his former Indian adversaries.

What do you know about George Crook? Try this US Old West History Made Easy Quiz. "Check Your Answers" at the end of the page.

1. George Crook was nominated to the United States Military Academy by Congressman Robert Schenck.
What year did he graduated?

• 1850
• 1852
• 1854

2. He became a colonel of what Ohio regiment at the start of the Civil War?

• 5th Ohio Cavalry
• 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
• 19th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

3. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on September 7, 1862.

• True or False?

4. He commanded a brigade of Ohio regiments in the Kanawha Division (attached to the IX Corps, Army of the Potomac) in the Maryland Campaign. Who commanded the Union Right?

• Burnside
• Pope
• McMillen

5. In the West, General Crook commanded a cavalry division in the Army of the Cumberland. What was the battle he lead his division?

• Battle of Chickamauga
• Battle of Atlanta
• Battle of Vicksburg

6. On October 21, 1864, he was promoted to major general of volunteers.

• True or False?

7. At the end of the Civil War, George Crook received a brevet as major general in the regular army, but reverted to the permanent rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1872 the Arizona Territory was at peace and Crook was appointed brigadier general in the regular army, a promotion that passed over and angered several full colonels next in line for promotion to general. What battle did he give a strategic Lakota/Cheyenne victory and a tactical Crook victory?

• Battle of the Rosebud
• Battle of Cheyenne Springs
• Battle of Denver

8. During the Civil War, who was a future U.S. president he did NOT commanded?

• Rutherford B Hayes
• William McKinley
• John C. Breckenridge

9. The Apache, as a mark of respect, nicknamed Crook Nantan Lupan. What does it mean?

• Grey Fox
• Grey Beard
• Old Grey Woman

10. Red Cloud, a war leader of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux), said of Crook when he died, "He, at least, never lied to us. His words gave us hope."

• True or False?

11. He dies suddenly in Chicago while serving as commander of the Division of the Missouri. Crook is originally buried in Oakland, Maryland, but is moved on November 11, 1898.

• True or False?

12. Where is the George Crook buried?

• Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
• Cole's Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts
• Princeton Cemetery of the Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, New Jersey