No Greater Calling: A Chronological Record of Sacrifice and Heroism During the Western Indian Wars, 1865-1898

by Eric S. Johnson (compiler)

In May of 1865, the United States celebrated the end of the American Civil War, but even as this nation celebrated the end of war, violence continued in the West, as it would for much of the rest of the century. Indians, pushed ever westward by the encroachment of civilization, fought back. They made war upon the settlers, the infrastructure, and the economy of the West, while men of bad character attempted to gain their own advantage. Indeed between the end of the Civil War and the turn of the century it was upon the Western frontier that the men of the U.S. Army were called to service. Over 1,200 men would answer their nation’s greatest calling, giving their lives in service to their country. These men, their service, sacrifice and heroism have finally been recognized in this comprehensive work.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will only appeal to those with an ardent interest in the Indian Wars. Johnson has complied a list of (almost) every hostile encounter between Indians, civilians and the United States Army from the years 1865 to 1898 (some skirmishes with Confederates and bandits are also listed). The names of the soldiers, scouts and civilians either killed or wounded are listed alongside further details about the nature of their injuries, e.g. “gunshot wound, right hip, slight wound.” Unsurprisingly with a book of this magnitude, there are some omissions, and if I had one complaint, it is that Johnson does not specify the tribes involved in each of the engagements. The locations offer clues but it left me wanting more. Nevertheless, the exhaustive research presented here deserves appreciation.