Bad Hand: A Biography of General Ranald S. Mackenzie

by Charles M. Robinson III

A Civil War hero, victorious Indian fighter and eventual madman, General Ranald S. Mackenzie's fascinating life, his brilliant accomplishments, and his descent into madness are brought to life in a complete and thoroughly researched biography that reestablishes his importance in the history of Texas and the United States. Foreword by Stan Hoig.

Genres: Biography, History

416 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2005

About the author

Charles M. Robinson III was an American author, illustrator, and adventurer. He was a history instructor with South Texas College in McAllen, Texas, until early 2012 and was a member of the 2010 Oxford Round Table. He was a graduate of St. Edward's University and the University of Texas–Pan American.

He wrote several books that focused on the American Old West, as well as the American Civil War and the Spanish conquest of Mexico. He also wrote magazine articles on seafaring, sailing, hunting, guns, and antique automobiles. In 1993 he was awarded the T. R. Fehrenbach Book Award by the Texas Historical Commission.

Robinson passed away in 2012 due to complications from lung cancer.

Reviews

[David]

I bought this book because of Mackenzie's service in the Civil War. Only about 30 pages covers his Civil War service from 1862 to 1865. The rest of the book covers Mackenzie's long and successful career fighting American Indians on the frontier. Most of Mackenzie's service ended up being as a troubleshooter. He spent most of his service in Texas, but was also sent to Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado when fires flared up. Unlike other commanders like Nelson Miles, George Crook, Wesley Merritt, and others, Mackenzie did not stay in one theater.
The author makes a good case that Mackenzie was more successful than Custer. While many of the enemy escaped to fight again in battle, Mackenzie destroyed their teepees, and important supplies needed for the winters. This drove many of the American Indian Tribes to choose to come in to the Reservations rather than face starvation and death during the cold winters.
In his interactions with chiefs, he was honest and direct with them. While he came to negotiate, he had troops at the ready to attack at a moment's notice.
This was a great book for a history of the post-Civil War Frontier. Mackenzie's hard service had a very detrimental effect on his physical and mental health as is detailed in the final chapters. This was also very interesting given what we know about PTSD today.

[Gary]

I'm not a military buff but I got interested in General Mackenzie through reading S.C. Gwynne's book "Empire of the Summer Moon." In that book on the history of the Commanche Wars Gwnne mentions the important role General Ranald Mackenzie played in ending the Plains wars with the Commanches and other warring tribes. Mackenzie rose rapidly in rank during the Civil War because of his daring, bravery, and intelligence. He was breveted to Brigadier General by the wars end and became a favorite of General Grant. Later he was posted to the Texas frontier where he quickly gained respect for the Commanche bravery and war tactics using horses. Mackenzie would copy those tactics and eventually subdue the Commanches by his tireless efforts. Mackenzie's last years would be spent regrettably in a three year bout with insanity. His obituary in the New York Times would be a perfunctory four line dry obit. Mackenzie was a hero and extolled while fighting Indians on the frontier but the newspapers and media all but ignored his passing. Shameful! The last chapter is excellent as it covers the possible reasons leading to Mackenzies insanity, including PTSD. Some parts of the book can be dry technical military jargon but overall the book is easy to read and very interesting.

[Bruce Cowan]

I gave it four stars. There are times that the detail is great and when details should be greater it was missing. For a man that left little correspondence, there should be plenty of sources for battles. Overall it tells the story of a General that the country relied on to get the job done. The book pieces together details about General Mackenzie that I have not found anywhere else and for that I’m grateful for reading it. If this is your era of history, it’s definitely worth reading.

[Lee A]

Good history of the time period post CivilWar to mid 1880s. Focus is Gen Mackenzie in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado regions as related to Indian uprisings. Well documented sources. Enjoyed learning about one America's great calvary leaders in the west following the Civil War.

[Michael Wilson]

Outstanding history of the unsung cavalry officer in the West. Great Read

[Paul S]

What a tradgedy! Both what happened to him, and the tribes that he dealt with.