Civil War History - The South & Western TheatersCheck this forum for all South and Western Theater Questions. Included are the Western, Pacific, Trans-Mississippi, & Lower Seaboard and Gulf Approach Theaters.
Hey everyone, new to the forums.
I am doing some reseacrh on the far west during the civil war. I've searched the net and haven't seen anything so far. It would seem that it's all on the east coast and so on. I know there were problems in texas, but I was wondering about states a little ****her west, perhaps in nevada, utah, colorado...maybe even the dakotas. For instance, what was the situation with the native americans ie, the sioux and apache(?) nations, railroads, anything that might be useful, even if it's just legend or useless trivia. Anything is helpful. Thanks.
Minnesota in the Civil War and Indian War, Park Genealogical Books.
Convis, Charles L., Soldiers, Pioneer Press, 1996.
Engle, Stephen D., The American Civil War, the War in the West 1861-July 1863, Osprey Publishing, 2001.
Glatthaar, Joseph T., The American Civil War, The war in the West 1863-1865, Osprey Publishing, 2001.
Heidler, David S. & Jeanne, Encyclopedia of the American Civil War A Political, Social & Military History, W.W. Norton & Company, 2000.
Katcher, Philip, US Cavalry on the Plains 1850-90, Osprey Publishing, 1985.
Just a start; there is ample information out there. There are numerous NPS sites in TX & AZ in particular w/ CW provenance. A search under Dakota War, 1862 Sioux Uprising etc should come up w/ something. Look at the Texas Rangers for info on the Commanche troubles during the CW etc. There is a lot out there, just have to look.
__________________ Shane Christen
American Legion Post 352
SUVCW Camp Abernethy# 48
Lifetime NRA member
3rd MN VI
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Eccl 1:18
In general, the "big" wars took place after the WBTS -- which is not to say that there were no troubles during. People were moving west and settling on Indian lands and they occasionally ran afoul of some hostility, but I sense that this sort of thing doesn't qualify as "war."
The Dakota uprising in '62 in Minnesota makes some fascinating reading when you finally locate it. It is there. Try "Sioux Uprising Minnesota." Try "Redwood Falls" and "Mankato" and "New Ulm." I located significant information some time ago, but can't remember how -- only that it's there.
The Comanche -- a particularly fractious group -- gave Texas no end of nervousness. But, in general, the real troubles didn't begin until the US Army was able to turn its attention to the west and the post-war migration began in earnest.
There is a whole bunch of history during that period. I hope you find it. Keep us posted on your discoveries.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Try this link www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/nm
You can get a map and brief descriptions of the battles at Valverde Crossing (Feb, 20-21, 1862) and Glorieta Pass (March 26-28, 1862) Leave off the "/nm" and you get an index of all other states
Calicoboy
__________________ My dear mother:- I have come safely through two more terrible engagements with the enemy, that at South Mountain and the great battle of yesterday (Antietam). Our splendid regiment is almost destroyed. We have had nearly 400 men killed and wounded in the battles. Seven of our officers were shot and three killed in yesterday's battle and nearly 150 men killed and wounded. All from less than 300 engaged. The men have stood like iron....Maj. Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers
I know there was some sort of fracas between the Union sympathizers and the Corn-fed sympathizers out here in California. Supposedly there was a shoot-out around San Jose and perhaps even one around Bakersfield... but then again, I'm no Civil War historian.
I know there was some sort of fracas between the Union sympathizers and the Corn-fed sympathizers out here in California. Supposedly there was a shoot-out around San Jose and perhaps even one around Bakersfield... but then again, I'm no Civil War historian.
One near Temecula also, IIRC. I ran across a mention of that during research for something else, have now forgotten the source!
The Confederacy had many supporters in western and northwestern Missouri, but the Confederate States had no way to sustain those supporters or field an army, with enough logistics, to hold the area.
Most Civil War students and readers study the battles and the main ones were east of the Mississippi.
Except for raids, the Confederacy lost control of most areas in Missouri, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and western Virginia, early in the war.
Years ago I remember coming into Phillipi, West Virginia, crossing the covered bridge there, and finding out for the first time, where the first battle of the Civil War was located.
I don't recall I knew any significant military history of what became West Virginia.
Some twenty years ago, I was visiting relatives in Pittsburgh, PA. There was a festival near the Three Rivers and we took a steamboat ride. I was amused at first, that we were riding a Mississippi paddleboat out of Pittsburgh. I was quickly disabused of my lack of historical knowledge about steamboats. The first steamboat on the Mississippi River was built in Pittsburgh. In fact many of the steamboats, ironclads, and rams on the Union side, on the Mississippi, came out of Pittsburgh during the Civil War. Lots of iron sheathing available in Pittsburgh!
Steamboats could also steam up the Missouri River, from the Mississippi River, past what is now known as Kansas City.
When one looks at the importance of steamboats in war in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, you wonder what the Confederate founding fathers were thinking. They certainly didn't spend five minutes studying logistics in modern war.
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Far west during the civil War 
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