INTRODUCTION
Battlefields in Nebraska?
Surprisingly, perhaps, there are several. Many of them are unique in our nation’s annals, impressive in scope, and significant in their consequences. Luminous names from America’s past graced our landscape and fought notable battles here – Custer, Cody, Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and many others. The intensity of the engagements fought between the Army and Indians was such that 15 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions within Nebraska’s borders.
The full display of Nebraska’s military history is long, rich, and enormously exciting. Nebraska was the scene of
American continent;
Speaking specifically of a single facet of Nebraska’s military history, the Indian Wars, one historian said:
Although many other states have placed greater emphasis upon their participation in Indian wars, Nebraska may claim a similar era in her history – one which was often as vivid and stirring as that of any other state. Notable expeditions marched through Nebraska’s river valleys and over her plains, battles were fought on her soil, and military posts protected her burgeoning population. Yet the sites of these events are often unmarked, and the names of the men who participated in them are only dimly remembered.
As I traveled to Nebraska’s battle sites and researched the fascinating events associated with them, I came to share the conviction expressed in that paragraph. The state indeed possesses a long, rich, and important military history that is “vivid and stirring” but too often only “dimly remembered.”
This book is an attempt to help us remember.
Surprisingly, perhaps, there are several. Many of them are unique in our nation’s annals, impressive in scope, and significant in their consequences. Luminous names from America’s past graced our landscape and fought notable battles here – Custer, Cody, Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and many others. The intensity of the engagements fought between the Army and Indians was such that 15 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions within Nebraska’s borders.
The full display of Nebraska’s military history is long, rich, and enormously exciting. Nebraska was the scene of
- A battle fought almost 300 years ago that for all practical purposes ended a Great
American continent;
- The earliest encounter between the U.S. Army and the Plains Indians;
- The first clash of the Indian War of 1864;
- The last significant battle between Native tribes;
- The first engagement between U.S. forces and the Plains Indians following the Battle of the Little Big Horn;
- The last great charge of the U.S. Cavalry;
- The death of the Native American leader whose passing signaled the end of the conflict on the plains.
Speaking specifically of a single facet of Nebraska’s military history, the Indian Wars, one historian said:
Although many other states have placed greater emphasis upon their participation in Indian wars, Nebraska may claim a similar era in her history – one which was often as vivid and stirring as that of any other state. Notable expeditions marched through Nebraska’s river valleys and over her plains, battles were fought on her soil, and military posts protected her burgeoning population. Yet the sites of these events are often unmarked, and the names of the men who participated in them are only dimly remembered.
As I traveled to Nebraska’s battle sites and researched the fascinating events associated with them, I came to share the conviction expressed in that paragraph. The state indeed possesses a long, rich, and important military history that is “vivid and stirring” but too often only “dimly remembered.”
This book is an attempt to help us remember.
|
|
|
|