Reading the first edition I found that Mr. Athearn's work hold up well in the early 21st C. Writing before the advent of the Internet, he grubbed around in numerous libraries to read books, journal articles, and bound volumes of newspapers to obtain the facts. The introduction is well worth the short time it takes to read it.
The time that Gen. Sherman commanded the huge area between the Mississippi River and the coastal Pacific Division, followed by being the commanding general of the US Army is what is dealt with. These vast areas had widely scattered settlements and there were many complaints that the troops were not chastising the Indians quickly enough. On the other hand, there were Easterners complaining about 'lo, the poor Indian.'
Congress wanted to cut the army below the 25,000 post-civil war strength.
The time that Gen. Sherman commanded the huge area between the Mississippi River and the coastal Pacific Division, followed by being the commanding general of the US Army is what is dealt with. These vast areas had widely scattered settlements and there were many complaints that the troops were not chastising the Indians quickly enough. On the other hand, there were Easterners complaining about 'lo, the poor Indian.'
Congress wanted to cut the army below the 25,000 post-civil war strength.
