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

  • By: Douglas C. McChristian
  • Narrated by: Philip Benoit
  • Length: 26 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (18 ratings)

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

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

By: Douglas C. McChristian
Narrated by: Philip Benoit
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Publisher's summary

At once panoramic and intimate, Regular Army O! uses the testimony of enlisted soldiers - drawn from more than 350 diaries, letters, and memoirs - to create a vivid picture of life in an evolving army on the western frontier.

After the volunteer troops that had garrisoned western forts and camps during the Civil War were withdrawn in 1865, the regular army replaced them. In actions involving American Indians between 1866 and 1891, 875 of these soldiers were killed, mainly in minor skirmishes, while many more died of disease, accident, or effects of the natural environment. What induced these men to enlist for five years and to embrace the grim prospect of combat is one of the enduring questions this book explores.

Douglas C. McChristian plumbs the regulars’ accounts for frank descriptions of their training to be soldiers; their daily routines, including what they ate, how they kept clean, and what they did for amusement; the reasons a disproportionate number occasionally deserted, while black soldiers did so only rarely; how the men prepared for field service; and how the majority who survived mustered out.

In this richly drawn, uniquely authentic view, men black and white, veteran and tenderfoot, fill in the details of the frontier soldier’s experience, giving voice to history in the making.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2017 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2019 Redwood Audiobooks
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

“This monumental study is the most complete rendering of the topic I have ever seen...provides in-depth knowledge on virtually every page.” (Jerome A. Greene, author of American Carnage: Wounded Knee, 1890)

"This is a smart, richly rewarding book." (Paul L. Hedren, author of Powder River: Disastrous Opening of the Great Sioux War)

What listeners say about Regular Army O!: Soldiering on the Western Frontier, 1865 - 1891

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The real story.

Great story about haw it really was! As a follower of the 9th & 10th Calvary, (entered over 12000 records from reg returns) I have read the actual records, Story was interesting and true.

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Phenomenal telling of the subject

Fantastic story of the regular army on the frontier. Narrator was bit dry but the story was second to none. Highly recommend.

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Excellent book!

This is a very good overall history of the Frontier Army. Some mispronunciations, but well performed.

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