Montana Territory and the Civil War: A Frontier Forged on the Battlefield

by Ken Robison

In 1862, gold discoveries brought thousands of miners to camps along Grasshopper Creek. By 1864, the Federal government had carved the Montana Territory out of the existing Idaho and Dakota Territories. Gold from Montana Territory fueled the Union war effort, yet loyalties were mixed among the miners. In this compelling collection of stories, historian Ken Robison illustrates how Southern sympathizers and Union loyalists, deserters and veterans, freed slaves and former slaveholders living side by side made a volatile and vibrant mix that molded Montana. Discover how fiery personalities like Union Colonel Sidney Edgerton and General Thomas Francis Meagher fought to keep order in the newly formed frontier, while brave Confederate and Union veterans and their hardy families created an enduring legacy that helped shape modern Montana.

Genres: History

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2013

Reviews

[Drpsychorat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided wonderful stories about some Civil War veterans who had an impact on Montana after the Civil War. Beyond that, it tended to concentrate on those people connected with Fort Shaw and Fort Benton. It was also somewhat biased in its assessment of some of the Civil War officers who were active participants in the Indian wars. Nevertheless, this book contains good general insights about how veterans impacted Montana after the Civil War.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of connected vignettes describing how the Civil War had long-lasting effects on early Montana - very interesting.