MacKenzie's Last Fight with the Cheyennes

by John G. Bourke

With the tension and excitement of a novelist, and the humor of a Mark Twain, soldier-scholar John G. Bourke wrote about one of the most important battles of the Great Sioux War, of which he was a participant.

John Bourke’s contribution to the history of the so-called Indian Wars cannot be overestimated. It is not as a soldier that he is best remembered, but as an anthropologist, ethnologist, folklorist, scientist, and writer—amazing for a man who was in uniform from the ages of 16 to 50.

Here he detailed Ranald MacKenzie's final fight with the Cheyenne under Dull Knife in the bitter cold of winter, 1876. These were some of the same warriors who had months earlier sent General George Armstrong Custer and five companies of 7th Cavalry troopers to an early grave at the Little Bighorn.

Written as only Bourke could have done, this short account is a forgotten American classic.

For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones.

Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2013

About the author

John Gregory Bourke was a captain in the United States Army and a prolific diarist and postbellum author; he wrote several books about the American Old West, including ethnologies of its indigenous peoples. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while a cavalryman in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Based on his service during the war, his commander nominated him to West Point, where he graduated in 1869, leading to service as an Army officer until his death.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always read what sources an author uses to develop a story and "1000 White Women" was no exception. I was surprised to read that John G. Bourke was not only a real person but truly a noted anthropologist and writer. And yes, I believe that the author created a very fair depiction of him. I don't typically enjoy reading about battles, but John Bourke writes them from such a personal level that one can almost hear the horses snorting and see their frozen breath. And scattered throughout are many poetic descriptions of the setting such as, "Far away to the distant horizon, the white-mantled terraces, extended in ridge upon ridge until they touched the hems of the leaden robes of clouds the sky had just doffed."
Additionally, he offers much discussion about the relationship between the men of the army and the various tribes represented by the new Indian (he calls them aboriginals) scouts. He recounts how the Shoshonee men mourned after they found in the desecrated village of their recently defeated foes, the Cheyennes, twelve severed right hands of babies. "They reasoned, and subsequent events proved they reasoned wisely, that the Cheyennes had just returned from the destruction of one of the outlying villages of their tribe, in some exposed position in the Wind River range, and that we had been listening to the savage dance which celebrated this fearful butchery."
John Bourke makes every attempt to find good in everyone he is with. There is quite a long passage in which he regales the skill of the packers and teamsters., amongst other things: "The sharp cold air of these winter mornings had the effect of intensifying the profane powers of our packers and teamsters whose language is quite often as amusing from its originality as it is shocking in its blasphemy and irreverence." There is also some humor in these notes as when the author shares how the mules consult with each other when something such as a difficult climb is before them. Later he says, "But the team has surmounted its last difficulty before reaching the camp for the night, and the voices of the mules are now upraised in a song of gladness. Much objection has been made of this chanting, as practised by mules, but the objection strikes me as frivolous and untenable. The mule's songs may be just a particle monotonous and the nasal pitch he commonly employs, somewhat harsh for cultivated ears, but the question of pitch is a question of taste, and the mule's taste may be better than our own ; or, if worse, this is the land of liberty, and the mule is free to enjoy himself as he pleases."
I had to give these quotes because there is no way I could adequately provide a description - it is truly poetic to read and provides depictions of the worst of war and yet the beauty of the surroundings.
Reading this after "1000 White Women" added so much to the fictional story while providing such context. I can just imagine John and May trying to read Shakespeare while using tribal language.

[Winfield Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words written directly from the distant past from a fighting soldier.

Great read directly from the past by the soldier himself. Fascinating time and place to study. Written in an entertaining manner that doesn't feel like research reading.

[Robert C. Berglund · Rating 5 out of 5]

An end to an era!

This story is a most interesting finale to the subjugation of the plains Indians. The hardships of those involved on both sides were incredible, especially relative to how life is led today.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting view point from a soldier of the times. Bourne is lyrical and a joy to read especially for a career military man.