24 Facts About Emmet Crawford

Emmet Crawford was an American soldier who rose through the ranks to become an officer.

Emmet Crawford was most noted for his time spent in the Arizona Territory under General George Crook in the United States Cavalry.

Emmet Crawford was killed in pursuit of the Apache leader Geronimo in January 1886 in Mexico.

Emmet Crawford was the second of four sons of William and Jemima Crawford of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Emmet Crawford received his appointment as a first lieutenant with the colored troops, but was not reassigned until September 1864.

The war's ending found Emmet Crawford assigned to the 13th Colored Artillery in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Emmet Crawford was recommended for retention of service and, in February 1866, accepted an appointment as second lieutenant in the 37th Colored Infantry in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Emmet Crawford survived the post-war trimming of the army in the late 1860s and on January 2,1871, was assigned to the 3rd Cavalry as a first lieutenant.

Emmet Crawford was sent to Fort Verde in Arizona Territory, north of Tucson.

Emmet Crawford's company was sent to the Red Cloud Agency to assist JJ Saville in March 1874.

In late 1876, Emmet Crawford was reassigned to recruiting duty in Baltimore, Maryland for two years.

Emmet Crawford returned to the 3rd Cavalry in Nebraska before the end of 1878.

Emmet Crawford was assigned to Fort Thomas, near the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

On December 11,1885, they crossed the border into Mexico, and according to the border agreement, Emmet Crawford stopped to inform the Mexican authorities that they were in pursuit of the hostiles before pushing on into the rugged Sierra Madres.

Geronimo sent an old woman to Emmet Crawford to talk, and a meeting was set the following morning.

Emmet Crawford attempted to get them to stop by waving a white handkerchief, but was shot in the head.

Emmet Crawford did not die immediately, but he never regained consciousness.

Emmet Crawford's body was buried in the little village of Nacori Chico.

Later, Crook stated his belief that if Emmet Crawford had not been killed, he would have been successful in obtaining Geronimo's surrender and ending the Apaches' bloody raids.

Emmet Crawford's body was exhumed and reburied in Kearney, Nebraska, where his younger brother Zachary lived.

Emmet Crawford had never married, and Zachary and his family were his closest relatives.

On December 1,1908, with full military honors, the body of Emmet Crawford was put to rest.

Emmet Crawford's grave is located down the hill from General Crook's tomb and is marked by a marble obelisk.

In 1986, the descendants of Zachary Emmet Crawford were invited to the centennial celebrations of the town and served as grand marshals of the centennial parade.