Forts Of The American Frontier 1820-91: Central And Northern Plains (fortress)
by Ron Field /
2005 / English / PDF
8.5 MB Download
A major period of westward expansion took place in the United
States during the first half of the 19th century. Fur trading, the
coast-to-coast railroad, the California gold rush and the removal
of Native American tribes both facilitated and encouraged America's
"manifest destiny" to become a transcontinental nation. The task of
protecting the settlers from the tribes that inhabited the Great
Plains fell to the US Army, and to do this an extensive network of
permanent forts was created via construction and acquisition. This
title examines why the forts were built, as well as their design,
defensive features and the role they played in the settlement of
the American West. The daily lives of the garrison soldiers and
fort inhabitants are also covered, together with the fighting
witnessed at key sites.
A major period of westward expansion took place in the United
States during the first half of the 19th century. Fur trading, the
coast-to-coast railroad, the California gold rush and the removal
of Native American tribes both facilitated and encouraged America's
"manifest destiny" to become a transcontinental nation. The task of
protecting the settlers from the tribes that inhabited the Great
Plains fell to the US Army, and to do this an extensive network of
permanent forts was created via construction and acquisition. This
title examines why the forts were built, as well as their design,
defensive features and the role they played in the settlement of
the American West. The daily lives of the garrison soldiers and
fort inhabitants are also covered, together with the fighting
witnessed at key sites.