Tells the story of the Southern attempt, in 1862, to open a path to California, thus securing a port on the Pacific Ocean. This quixotic undertaking was attempted by a few regiments of Texas cavalry, known as "the Army of the Southwest”, commanded by the ambitious but ultimately incompetent Brig. Gen. Henry H. Sibley.

THOMAS W. CUTRER is Professor Emeritus of History and American Studies at Arizona State University.