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A Guide to the Indian Wars of the West

A Guide to the Indian Wars of the West

Over One Hundred Historic Sites in Seventeen States

by John D McDermott

From 1860 to 1890 the United States military engaged in war after war with the indigenous peoples of the West. Although numerous treaties recognized the rights of individual tribes, the U.S. government often did nothing to stop settlers from expanding into Indian territory. Some Indians fled, and others attempted to coexist with the newcomers, but many fought against the loss of homelands and traditional ways of life. Superior numbers, organization, and technology benefited the United States, yet Indian resistance was often skillful, heroic, and tenacious.

This informative work serves as a guide to the battlefields and fits the episodes into the larger historical drama. John D. McDermott, who has spent a lifetime researching the events, discusses the equipment, organization, and lifeways of the combatants. He explains circumstances underlying the encounters and analyzes the significance of events. This detailed guide also leads students, tourists, and history buffs to monuments, parks, museums, and other sources of information about the wars.

John D. McDermott is a retired historian and administrator for the National Park Service and the Council on Historic Preservation. He is the author of Dangerous Duty: A Study of Outposts Protecting the Oregon Trail in the South Pass Area of Wyoming and Forlorn Hope: The Battle of White Bird Canyon and the Beginning of the Nez Perce War.

Table of Contents

Notes to Contributors

Preface

List of Abbreviations

Part 1. The Context

1. Causes and Limiting Factors

Differing Ideas of land Use

Treaties

The Indian Ring

Manifest Destiny & Nationalism

Underestimating the Adversary

Distrust of a Large Standing Army

Division of Authority

Immigration Policy

Railroads

2. Opponents

Indians of the West

The Plains

The Great Basin

The Plateau

The Northwest Coast

California

The Southwest

The Army

Artillery

High Command

Regimental Organization

Company Officers

Noncommissioned Staff

Enlisted Men

The Strength of the Army

Material Culture

Indians of the West

Plains Indian Clothing

Other Tribes

Bow & Arrow

Firearms

The Army

Clothing

Firearms & Accoutrements

Artillery

Medical Needs

Women

Civilian men

Warfare

Indians of the West

Code of Courage

Scalping & Mutilation

The Warrior

Leadership

Indian Strategy

Living off the Land

Tactics & Methods

Defense

Strengths & Weaknesses

The Army

The Problem of Distance

Climate

Training

Horses

Tactics & Methods

Strengths & Weaknesses

Indian & Army Life

Indians of the West

Women

Habitations

Camps

Food

Buffalo

Dance & Music

Religion

Death & Mourning

The Army

The Land

Shelter

Enlisted Men

Officers

Army Life in general

Health

Women of the post

Civilians

The Indian Wars in Literature & the Arts

Early Literature

Poets

Novelists

Historians & Anthropologists

Modern Literature

Historians

Western Novelists

Indian Novels

Indian Writers

The Arts

Western Films

Indians in Films

Western Painters

Indian Art

Conclusions

Part 2. Places to Visit

Historic Sites & Museums

California & the Northwest

California

Historic Sites

Lava Beds National Monument

Museums

Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum

Southwest Museum

Oregon

Historic Sites

Fort Dalles

Washington

Historic Sites

Fort Simcoe State Park Heritage Site

Vancouver Barracks

Fort Walla Walla

The Great Basin

Nevada

Historic Sites

Fort Churchill State Historic Park

Fort McDermit

Utah

Historic Sites

Fort Douglas

The Plateau

Idaho

Battlefields

Clearwater Battlefield

White Bird Battlefield

Museums

Museum of Nez Perce Culture

The Southwest

Arizona

Historic Sites

Fort Verde State Historic Park

Fort Apache

Fort Bowie National Historic Park

Battlefields

Cibecue Creek Battlefields

Museums

The Heard Museum

Indian Heritage Sites

Cochise Stronghold

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

New Mexico

Historic Sites

Fort Stanton

Fort Union National Monument

Texas

Historic Sites

Fort Concho

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Fort McKavett State Historic Site

Battlefields

Adobe Walls

Palo Duro Canyon Battlefield State Park

The Southern Plains

Colorado

Historic Sites

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

Fort Garland

Battlefields

Beecher’s Island Battlefield

Milk Creek Battlefield

Sand Creek Battlefield

Summit Springs Battlefield

Museums

Colorado History Museum

Koshare Indian Kiva Museum

Ute Indian Museum

Kansas

Historic Sites

Fort Hays

Fort Larned National Historic Site

Fort Leavenworth

Fort Riley

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Battlefields

Punished Woman Battlefield

Sappa Creek Battlefield

Indian Heritage Sites

Quannah Parker Starr House

Missouri

Historic Sites

Jefferson Barracks Historical Park, St. Louis

Museums

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial National Historic Site

Museum

Oklahoma

Historic Sites

Fort Gibson

Fort Reno

Fort Sill

Fort Supply

Battlefields

Washita Battlefield

Museums

Gilcrease Museum

Kiowa Tribal Museum

Southern Plains Indian Museum

248 pp ~ illustrated — ©1998

 

 

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8080-328-246 softcover $19.95 $16.95 $3.00 Buy
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ISBN: 080328246X
CATEGORY: Travel
UNIV OF NEBRASKA PR
November 1998
 
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