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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 13, 2012 9:13:40 GMT -5
Does anyone have information, or know of a good source of information, regarding the demographics of the U.S. Army during the post-Civil War era and in the Plains Indian Wars? I'm most familiar with Custer's regiment, which seemed to include a lot of Irish immigrants and other recent European immigrants (famously, Private John Martin (nee Giovanni Martini), who carried Custer's last message to Benteen, but who spoke only broken English).
It seems the officers were Civil War hold-overs, but I'd like to know where the enlisted men were coming from.
My book club just finished discussing "Wounded Knee" by Heather Cox Richardson and this question came up. Where were most recruits coming from during this period? I recall that there were some serious economic recessions in the east during the late 19th century that restulted in more men opting for the military than might otherwise have been the case, since it at least offered an income.
Thanks for any help!
Allen
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Post by Herb on Jul 13, 2012 13:04:07 GMT -5
It's dated, (1973) but probably the best all round source is Robert Utley's "Frontier Regulars". It covers the period 1866-90.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 13, 2012 13:31:31 GMT -5
Thanks Herb! Tom also suggested that one, which is the top of my list as I have really enjoyed all of Utley's stuff that I've seen. Tom also mentioned Forty Miles a Day on Beans and Hay, by Don Rickey, Jr.; and The Buffalo Soldiers, by Leckie and Leckie.
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Post by Herb on Jul 13, 2012 13:50:40 GMT -5
"Forty Miles" is indeed excellent. While it's a collection of biographies of leaders not enlisted men, "Soldiers West" edited by Paul Hutton is worth a look, too.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Jul 18, 2012 7:12:31 GMT -5
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