Tenting on the Plains

From the Army of the Potomac to the Plains Indian War

Elizabeth 'Libby' Custer must be commended for her literary efforts. She was certainly responsible for expanding and embellishing the Custer legend, but nevertheless she also left several works which undoubtedly contribute massively to our understanding of life in the U. S Army on the Western Frontier and, irrespective of the insights she has provided into the character and activities of her famous husband, has also given posterity an invaluable view of the life of an 'army wife' in mid-nineteenth century America. Her book, Boots and Saddles, (also published by Leonaur), is justifiably well regarded since it includes the military debacle for which George Armstrong Custer is fated to be principally remembered. This book is every bit as fascinating. The story begins with an overview of Custer's Civil war career before moving on to their lives together in the immediate post war period. She and Custer move inexorably towards his destiny as an Indian Wars commander and the book concludes as the renowned 7th Cavalry fight their first engagement against Roman Nose and his Cheyenne warriors at Fort Wallace in June 1867. Available in soft cover and hard back with dust jacket for collectors.