From 1859 to 1861, two U.S. Army officers traveled throughout the Texas Frontier and the New Mexico Territory to conduct inspections and inventory of the frontier forts and the soldiers that were stationed at the forts. The officers were Lt. Col. Joseph E. Johnston and Col. Joseph K. F. Mansfield. These officers were charged with investigating and evaluating the welfare, efficiency, and combat readiness of the troops. These reports, were factual, thorough, and accurate and gave the U.S. Inspectors office an overview of the readiness of these forts and troops as they dealt with hostile Indian tribes of Texas and New Mexico Territory, defense of nearby towns and villages, cattle trails, and outlaws. Jerry Thompson, editor of this outstanding book, tells the story of how these officers were tasked with a difficult assignment by the U.S. Army department. These officers had to travel hundreds if not a few thousand miles overall, in the harsh conditions of frontier life in the Texas and New Mexico frontier. Johnstons and Mansfields reports provide a fascinating profile of the officers and men of these forts, overall conditions of the forts, many were unsatisfactory in conditions such as buildings that were barely able to stand up, spoiled food sources such as the meats, vegetables, and sugar that often was bad before arriving at the forts, the number of horses and oxen in good condition, the morale of the troops, and those who were awaiting court-martial for serious offenses or were placed on extra duty for minor charges. The reports take not of the relations between the forts and the local population of the Hispanic communities, White settlers, and the Native American tribes in the area. Lt. Col Johnston inspected 20 forts throughout Texas and the New Mexico territory and the forts he inspected were: Fort Union, Fort Marcy, Fort Garland, Fort Burgwin, Fort Defiance, Post at Los Lunas, Fort Craig, Fort Fillmore, Fort Stanton, Fort Buchanan, Fort Bliss, Fort Fillmore, Fort Quitman, Fort Davis, Camp Stockton, Fort Lancaster, Camp Hudson, Fort Clark, Fort Inge Col Mansfield inspected 16 forts and some of the forts were the same forts that Lt. Col. Johnston inspected earlier and were: Fort Inge, Camp Wood, Fort Davis, Fort Quitman, Fort Stockton, Fort Lancaster, Fort Hudson, Fort Clark, Fort Duncan, Fort McIntosh, Ringgold Barracks, Paymaster Cunningham, Capt. George Stonemans Cavalry, Department Headquarters. Some of these forts are still standing today, but most were abandoned not long after the inspections due to the Civil War, conditions of the forts, assignments of the troops to other forts, and other factors. These reports are a fascinating read and provide a vital glimpse into frontier life in the western United States on the eve of the Civil War. Not long after the inspections were complete, the Civil War began and Lt. Col. Johnston resigned his commission to join the Confederate Army and rose in rank to become a full general. Col Mansfield, would later become a General in the Union Army and later was mortally wounded at Sharpsburg (Antietam) and died on September 18,1862. Mr. Thompson does an excellent job in telling the history of these inspectors and how they rose in the ranks in both the Union and Confederate armies. Also, the editor tells of the soldiers who were at the forts during the inspection and whether they stayed in the Union Army or resigned their post or commission and joined the Confederate Army. It is an interesting what if, if General Johnston would of been assigned command of the troops in Texas during the war and if the outcome of the invasion of New Mexico territory would of ended differently than General Silbys invasion that ended in failure. General Johnston certainly knew the strengths and weaknesses of the various forts and their locations due his familiarity with the forts, troops, and the land. In the reports, both Colonels note the morale which was generally low overall of the officers and men due to the remoteness of the forts, the overall unsatisfactory supplies and conditions of the forts, and other details. It is easier to understand why some of the officers would join the Confederacy after feeling they were alone in the frontier being stationed in the remote Texas and New Mexico deserts and prairies. This excellent book is a vital snapshot into the soldiers life in the frontier before the Civil War, and the conditions of these forts. It is an important work that is VITAL for anyone who wants to know about the US Army in Texas and New Mexico on the eve of the Civil War, the logistical history of the US Army on the Texas and New Mexico frontier, and the overland trails that connected the forts. It definitely is an important book for U.S.,and Texas History, and the history of the frontier army on the eve of the Civil War. I cant recommended this book highly enough and it is a definite MUST READ for anyone interested in frontier army life before the Civil War in Texas and New Mexico Territory. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 11:37:55 +0000
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