From 1860 to 1890 the United States military engaged in war after war with the indigenous peoples of the West. This informative work serves as a guide to the battlefields and fits the episodes into the larger historical drama. 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 & ArrowFirearms
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