Long considered one of the best of the captive narratives from the 19th century, Abbie Gardner's thrilling and graphic tale of her abduction by a band of Santee Sioux in 1857 will captivate you from beginning to end. Barely 14 years old, her family was butchered before her eyes and she witnessed the deaths of two other women captives before her release by Chief Inkpaduta.Gardner suffered years of illness after her return to white culture but eventually made a successful and prosper...

In 1836, Irving published " Astoria ; or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise beyond the Rocky Mountains ;" a somewhat curious example of literary skill. A voluminous commercial correspondence was the dull ore of the earth which he refined and wrought into symmetry and splendor. Irving reduced to a regular narrative the events to which it referred, bringing out the picturesque whenever he found it, and enlivening the whole with touches of his native humor. His nephew, Pierre M. Irving, lightened his...

John Tanner's fascinating autobiography tells the story of a man torn between white society and the Native Americans with whom he identified.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introduc...

The diaries and letters of women who braved the overland trails during the great nineteenth-century westward migration are treasured documents in the study of the American West. These eight firsthand accounts are among the best ever written. They were selected for the power with which they portray the hardship, adventure, and boundless love for friends and family that characterized the overland experience. Some were written with the skilled pens of educated women. Others bear the marks of ...

In the years 1804, 1805, and 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark commanded an expedition which explored the wilderness that stretched from the mouth of the Missouri River to where the Columbia enters the Pacific, and dedicated to civilization a new empire. This book relates that adventure from it’s inception through it’s completion as well as the effect the expedition had upon the history of the United States (Roger Melin).William Rheem Lighton

On the Border with Crook is considered one of the best firsthand accounts of frontier army life, as the author of the book gives equal time to both the soldier and the Native American. John Bourke, the author of this book was a captain in the United States Army. He served as an aide to General George Crook in the Apache Wars from 1872 to 1883. As Crook's aide, Bourke had the opportunity to witness every facet of life in the Old West—the battles, wildlife, the internal squabbling among the ...

Captives Among The Indians, Edite by Horace Kephart —AProject Gutenberg eBook.

In "The Life of Hon. William F. Cody, Known as Buffalo Bill, the Famous Hunter, Scout and Guide," Buffalo Bill himself presents a captivating autobiographical narrative, chronicling his extraordinary adventures across the American frontier. The book employs a vivid and engaging prose style that immerses readers in the expansive landscapes and diverse characters of the Wild West. With a blend of personal anecdote and historical context, Cody recounts his exploits as a buffalo hunter, army s...

In "Indian Depredations in Texas," John Wesley Wilbarger crafts a meticulous historical narrative that chronicles the tumultuous encounters between Native American tribes and early Texan settlers during the 19th century. Employing a detailed documentary style, Wilbarger incorporates firsthand accounts, personal experiences, and a rich array of primary sources to provide readers with an immersive exploration of this often-overlooked aspect of American history. The book situates itself withi...

In "Last of the Great Scouts," Helen Cody Wetmore intricately weaves together a rich narrative that pays homage to the iconic American figure of the frontiersman. This historical account delves into the life of Francis Marion 'ÄúF.M.'Äù McGowan, celebrated for his feats as a scout and guide during the tumultuous westward expansion. Wetmore's writing style is characterized by a vivid and immersive prose, meticulously capturing the rugged landscapes and the spirit of adventure while offering...

On March 20, 1822, the Missouri Republican published a notice addressed to enterprising young men in the St. Louise area. The subscriber, it said wishes to engage one hundred young men to ascend the Missouri River to its source, there to be employed for one, two, or three years. For particulars enquire of Major Andrew Henry or of the subscriber near St. Louise. The subscriber was General William H. Ashley, and among the enterprising young men who embarked with Major Henry less tha...