Army Regulars on the Western Frontier

by Durwood Ball

Deployed to posts from the Missouri River to the Pacific in 1848, the United States Army undertook an old mission on frontiers new to the United States: occupying the western territories; suppressing American Indian resistance; keeping the peace among feuding Indians, Hispanics, and Anglos; and consolidating United States sovereignty in the region.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Schoppie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who believes the U.S. Army did nothing but fight Indians between the Mexican War and the Civil War must read Durwood Ball's book. While fighting Indians did comprise an important part of the Army's mission in the American West, it also guarded the international borders with Mexico and Canada, attempted to stop fillibusters, protected U.S. interests, served as a frontier constabulary force, and intervened in civil unrest at the request of civil authorities (the California Gold Rush, the so-called Mormon rebellion in Utah, and the Kansas-Missouri violence in the 1850's to name just a few examples). The U.S. Army also faced trouble from within its own officer ranks as the year 1860 and the Civil War approached. Few officers were truly nationalized by service in the U.S. Army. Most were divided along sectional lines and viewed their duty primarily as one to their state or region rather than the U.S. government - their oaths not-withstanding. A few exceptions to this rule were Colonel Edwin V. Sumner and Captain Nathaniel Lyon, who placed national loyalty above that of sectionalism. This book also contains a very fair treatment of the Utah War of 1857-1858, something difficult to come by in most histories of the subject. Ball manages to treat both sides fairly and avoids the too-often prevalent bias against Brigham Young and the Mormons in Utah. Any student of history seeking to understand the U.S. Army in the decades before the Civil War would be well-advised to begin with this book.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am impressed by Ball’s meticulous researched and insightful study of the United States Army’s role in the American West. Ball covers these years between the years 1848-1861.

Ball covers in-depth the Army’s Indian fighting record. The author also covers the constabulary duty of the Army particularly the pro and antislavery settlers in Bleeding Kansas and Mormons in Utah, the rebellion Cortinistas (Tejanos and Mexicans) in Southern Texas, the vigilantes in California. Ball also discusses the role of the Army regarding the countries boarders, such as the 1859 San Juan Island boundary dispute with Britain. Ball also covers the internal organization, manpower and training of the Army of the Frontier.

I quickly realized from the book that the Army of the West was nothing like portrayed in Hollywood. I found the book an interesting review of the history of the American West as well as the history of the Army. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Keith Sellon-Wright did a good job narrating the book.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

ommmggggggg this is such a good book!! totally read it!!

durwood ball is the best author in the whole world omg he's just wow

i havent actually read, i'm his daughter. obviously i have to leave a good review. :)