On the Border with Mackenzie; or, Winning West Texas from the Comanches

Fred H. and Ella Mae Moore Texas History Reprint Series

by Robert Goldthwaite Carter

Presents an account of the Indian Wars on the Texas frontier during the 1870s.

Genres: History

600 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1997

About the author

Robert Goldthwaite Carter (October 29, 1845 – January 4, 1936) was a US Cavalry officer who participated in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars, most notably against the Comanche during which he received the Medal of Honor for his role against a Comanche raiding party at Brazos River in Texas on October 10, 1871.

He became a successful author in his later years writing several books based on his military career, including On the Border with Mackenzie (1935), as well as a series of booklets detailing his years as an Indian fighter on the Texas frontier.
--Wikipedia

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the first person accounts of life on the frontier.

[Rachel Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a close look at life on Texas Plains during the 1870s, this is the book go to. Carter details the daily life of soldiers on the frontier and their battle against the marauding Comanche. It was interesting to see how well Carter's commander, Ronald Mackenzie, adapted to the fighting style of the natives and was able to wear them down to defeat.

There are places in which thr book drags and some information is repeated as it was a compilation of previous publications by the author. For anyone who is interested in the deep details of this specific period of history, I recommend this book.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the Civil War, MacKenzie assumed command of one of the buffalo soldier cavalry unit. His regiment served in Texas and the American Southwest.

[Laura Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Con: Ha! The book itself is a bit of a con. Make sure to read the Foreword. The author gives us the impression that he fought in the Campaign of 1874-6 when he did not. He uses the word "we" when describing the events. This has been covered in an article in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly in 1999 and is referenced in the Foreword. So take what he writes with a grain of salt.

He was also a man of his time. So he is racist and uses phrases like "infested" to refer to areas inhabited by the native Americans. He's also a braggart, which I find off putting.

Pro: That being said, he writes these slightly hyperbolic but charming and engaging descriptions that make this worth the read.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good firsthand information. Horridly written

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! It is almost unbelievable how bad our soldiers had it fighting the Native Americans