Life of a Soldier on the Western Frontier, by Jeremy Agnew

Their heads filled with images of glory and battle, most young men joined the frontier army only to endure a life of tedious drills, bad meals, uncomfortable quarters, and ill-fitting uniforms. Focusing on the Indian Wars period of the 1840s through the 1890s, this fascinating study captures the daily challenges faced by the typical enlisted man and explores the role soldiers played in the conquering of the American frontier. More than a convenient reference book, it is also a gripping and affecting story.