Over the past 10 years I have heard many comments about U.S. military forces being spread across too many different conflicts in too many places. However, history shows the U.S. has fought multiple wars and wars on multiple fronts time and again.
World War II had the U.S. fighting a full scale war in Europe while also fighting a major conflict throughout the entire Pacific. The War of 1812 was a true introduction naval warfare for the young country. In addition to both naval and land battles with British troops, the U.S. found itself fighting with British supported Indians. Even before the 13 colonies declared their independence from British Empire, colonists were often at physical odds with the American Indians. As time went on, and more immigrants came to America, the conflicts with various Indian tribes grew. Some of the largest battles came during the Civil War period. Even as U.S. broke in half and fought themselves in the bloodiest war in its entire history, hostilities continued to escalate across the western frontier, ranging as far West as Arizona, Montana, and Utah. Indian nations in these states as well as New Mexico, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, and Missouri fought back against what they saw as an incursion by the white man.
Civil War and the Indian Wars, by Roy Bird, tells tale the events, incidents, and confrontations as written by contemporary authors and historians. The stories are ordered chronologically instead of by battle. Stories cover conflicts between Confederate Soldiers as well as Union Army. However, as the Civil War pulled experienced and regular troops from the west, these positions were often replaced by lesser trained volunteers who often as inept as they were intolerant.
The Introduction of this book provides a short, but distinct, summary of issues and events leading to the increased tension between the Indian Nations and both the Union and Confederate states. The stories share important details about the Indian Wars as it escalated, almost in tune, with increased hostilities and the break out of the Civil War.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1 “The Fight Will Be Settled by White Men Without Indian Assistance”: 1861
Chapter 2 “Let Them East Grass”: 1862
Chapter 3 “I Want Him Dead!”: 1863
Chapter 4 “Soldiers Have Again Covered Themselves with Glory”: 1864
Chapter 5 “Boots and Saddles”: 1865
Selected Bibliography
Index of Battles, Skirmishes, Raids, and Massacres
Learn more for yourself through the fantastic stories told in Civil War and the Indian Wars, available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #:PP807, Price: $12.69.
Look for these other Civil War history books as reviewed on this site:
The Civil War — One State at a Time
