Regular Army O!: Soldiering on the Western Frontier, 1865-1891

783 Pages·2017·19.76 MB·English

by  Douglas C. McChristian

Regular Army O!
QQ77112244..iinnddbb ii 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5577 AAMM
Original song sheet for “The Regular Army, O!” published by William A. Pond Co.,
1874, and performed by the duo Harrington & Hart. (Courtesy Paul L. Hedren)
QQ77112244..iinnddbb iiii 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
Regular Army O!
Soldiering on the
Western Frontier, 1865–1891
Douglas C. McChristian
Foreword by Robert M. Utley
University of Oklahoma Press : Norman
QQ77112244..iinnddbb iiiiii 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: McChristian, Douglas C., author.
Title: Regular Army O! : soldiering on the Western frontier, 1865–1891 /
Douglas C. McChristian ; foreword by Robert M. Utley.
Description: Norman, OK : University of Oklahoma Press, [2017] | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifi ers: LCCN 2016039781 | ISBN 978-0-8061-5695-8 (hardcover : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: West (U.S.)—History, Military—19th century. | United
States. Army—Military life—History—19th century. | Soldiers—West
(U.S.)—Social conditions—19th century. | Frontier and pioneer life—West
(U.S.) | Soldiers’ writings, American.
Classifi cation: LCC F594 .M118 2017 | DDC 355.10978/09034—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016039781
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of
the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on
Library Resources, Inc. ∞
Copyright © 2017 by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing
Division of the University. Manufactured in the U.S.A.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechani-
cal, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—except as permitted under Section 107
or 108 of the United States Copyright Act—without the prior written permission
of the University of Oklahoma Press. To request permission to reproduce selections
from this book, write to Permissions, University of Oklahoma Press, 2800 Venture
Drive, Norman OK 73069, or email [email protected].
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
QQ77112244..iinnddbb iivv 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
To Jose, Kim, Daniel, and Alexa
QQ77112244..iinnddbb vv 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
QQ77112244..iinnddbb vvii 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
I could never begrudge a soldier a bit of cheer after the hard marches in
Arizona, through miles of dust and burning heat, their canteens long emp-
tied and their lips parched and dry. I watched them often as they marched
along with their blanket-rolls, their haversacks, and their rifl es, and I used
to wonder that they did not complain.
Martha Summerhayes, wife of 2nd Lieutenant
John W. Summerhayes, Eighth Infantry
QQ77112244..iinnddbb vviiii 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
QQ77112244..iinnddbb vviiiiii 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM
Contents
List of Illustrations xi
Foreword, by Robert M. Utley xiii
Preface xv
Introduction 3
1. “Taking to Soldiering”: Enlistment 13
2. “We Are Kept Pretty Busy”: Life at the Recruiting Depot 44
3. “Don’t Grieve after Me”: The Journey West 79
4. “Deployed as Skirmishers”: Regiments and Companies
in the West 98
5. Brain, Bone, and Sinew: Offi cers and Noncoms 131
6. “It Is Just Dragging Out a Miserable Existence”:
Forts and Garrison Routine 171
7. “The Bed Bugs Are Too Numerous for Me to Sleep”:
Some Material Aspects of Army Life 212
8. “Off ensive in Every Particular”: Medicine, Hygiene,
and Sanitation 251
9. “It Is So Lonesome Out Here”: The Domestic Side of
Enlisted Life 294
10. “We Have Our Little Amusements”: Recreation and
Pastimes 323
11. “The Moral Condition Is Very Poor”: The Seamy Side
of Enlisted Life 360
ix
QQ77112244..iinnddbb iixx 22//2222//1177 1100::2255::5588 AAMM