I Married a Soldier

by Lydia Spencer Lane, Darlis A. Miller (Introduction)

Lydia Spencer Lane's account of her life as a young army bride on the early southwestern frontier is both invaluable history and delightful commentary. As an officer's wife, Lane left her home in Pennsylvania in 1854 to accompany her new husband to his first post in the West--the encampment at Fort Inge, Texas, then in the midst of a yellow-fever epidemic. For the next sixteen years, Lane crossed the Great Plains by wagon seven times, traveled nearly 8,000 miles, raised three children, and became accustomed to tours of duty that required the family to move at least every six months to a different set of military forts, frontier garrisons, and trailside bivouacs across New Mexico and Texas. First published in 1893 and unavailable for nearly a decade, Lane's narrative manifests a dry wit that lends humor to events that range from the uncomfortable to the terrifying. Through her eyes we see the close-knit social life of an army post, the western frontier's divided response to the American Civil War (including the Confederate invasion of the Mesilla Valley), and the cultures and peoples of the West. As Darlis Miller makes clear in her Introduction, Lane's courage, her sense of humor, her powers of observation, and her obvious love for the western landscape make her an unforgettable narrator, a valuable historian, and a bold exemplar of strength under pressure.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1893

Reviews

[Donna Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia Spencer Lane became a soldier’s wife as a young bride in 1854 and spent the next sixteen years traversing the country from army post to army post as her husband was assigned to various military forts in the west. Among New Mexico locations she visited are Santa Fe, Fort Union, Fort Craig, Fort Stanton, and Fort Fillmore.

A gifted writer, Lane reveals circumstances and events that would scare the petticoats off most women of her era. Indian conflicts, the War Between the States, and challenging weather conditions combine to make this title a page-turner for history lovers. Grab a copy and settle back for a delightful, entertaining read.

[Mary L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

To give "I Married a Soldier" a 4 rating may seem a bit strong when it comes to the quality of the writing, but for the quality and honesty of the author, Lydia Spenser Lane, as she fills her diary, I must grant her a 4. She gives a superb portrait of the life and expectations of a woman married to a soldier during the mid-1800's. If you are interested in the west and the role of women in settling and exploring its vast territories, you will not be disappointed in reading this extraordiany account.

[Wayne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of military life in New Mexico in the 1860's, from the viewpoint of a dependent, rather than that of a soldier. An unintended consequence, is the detailing of the technological advances of frontier life that occurred during this time. Really enjoyed the brief account of Kit Carson as a private person rather than a frontier hero.

[Leslie Reiber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regionally interesting memoir of a woman's travels in the American southwest.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Fort Gardiner where I get many odds and ends like a black pot holder and hand made Christmas ornaments that might have been used at that time. It was especially interesting to me as we did almost the very same moves!