A Dose of Frontier Soldiering: The Memoirs of Corporal E. A. Bode, Frontier Regular Infantry, 1877-1882

by E.A. Bode, Thomas T. Smith (Editor)

Emil Adolph Bode, a German immigrant down on his luck, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1877 and served for five years. More literate than most of his fellow soldiers, Bode described western flora and fauna, commenting on the American Indians he encountered as well as the slaughter of the buffalo, the hard and lonely life of the cowboy, and towns and settlements he passed through. His observations, seasoned with wry wit and sympathy, offer a truer picture of the frontier military experience than all the dashing cavalry charges and thundering artillery in Western literature.

Genres: History

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Cale Manley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emil Bode served as a soldier on the American frontier in the late 19th century. Being a German immigrant, English was his second language, but despite this his style is interesting and easy to read. Being in the service at this time led him to have many dealings with Native Americans. These interactions were mostly friendly and he faced more danger with weather or wild animals than he did with an Indian.

I’ve always found Plains Indians fascinating and that’s what I found interesting about this book. Corporal Bode spent a lot of time with them and gives detailed information on their daily activities, their rituals, their dress, etc. He was also saddened by the government’s mistreatment of the Indians. He had a deep admiration for them and wanted to see their way of life preserved. Bode does a good job of conveying that they truly were an impressive people.

[John East · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a review, but just a note about my interest... My wife is from Oklahoma as are her ancestors from before the "Sooners". We have traveled to and are familiar with Ft. Sill, other locations in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as New Mexico. I have read a number of books about the Indians in Oklahoma and Texas, including some about Quanah Parker, whom Bode mentions as living in Cache, OK. I have also read "Bad Hand" about General Ranald Mackenzie who was the commanding officer at Ft. Sill during part of Bode's time there, and who later served at Ft. McKavett. So, as Bode traveled through Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas, I could readily visualize the locations for his exploits and adventures.

[Ó Ruairc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, interesting reading. The contents of this book are the memoirs of Corporal E. Bode, a soldier who served during the latter years of the Western Frontier. His writing is simple, earnest, as well as humorous. Reading about his experiences, it seems Corporal Bode actually enjoyed some of his time in the frontier regular infantry - a most unusual attitude for the time period.